Acres for Agnes

May 2013, It's the rainy season and the crops are growing!

Agnes stands proudly in her 'shamba' of maize, with Duane and Zach at her side!

The daily 2pm rain storm rolls in from the east.


Agnes tilled practically every square inch of her two acres... except where the houses and kitchen stand... and the yard.


Besides maize, she also planted millet, cassava, bananas, tomato, potato, beets, kale, pumpkins, carrots, onions, etc!

Besides lots of maize and other vegetables growing and producing, several other improvements have happened on the property. The floor of the older boys' house was cemented... a huge enhancement over it simply being a floor of mud. Additionally, they now have a table and three chairs for their - previously empty - sitting room. They are very happy about these simple things.

The entire property is now fenced with barbed-wire. Agnes feels much more comfortable now, as the neighbor's cow's and goats won't be able to disturb her crops! Chicken wire has also been put up to protect the various seed-beds and vegetable garden areas. This will not only keep out the neighbors' chickens... but Agnes' as well :)

Tony collected Eucalyptus seeds from around the neighborhood, starting his own 'small forest'.
As he proudly showed it to me, he said he'll plant the seedlings during his mid-term break from school.


Zach and Duane love to do the activity pages I always bring for them.


Agnes with a load of firewood she just split, so she could cook dinner


Agnes made some improvements on her 'three-stone' cooking area. Here she is spreading fresh cow manure on it.


This beautiful sunrise represents the 'new dawn' in the lives of Agnes and her boys, since they moved to their new farm!