Farming land in Lubhu
There is an area of about 3500 square meter near the children’s home, which was bought in 1999. Since 2002 this has been used agriculturally, providing rice, potatoes and vegetables for the children and employees of the children’s home. Poultry, rabbits and goats complete our “farming land”.
Being located only about 300 metres from the children’s house, it offers the boys and girls the chance to learn something about the basics of gardening. They help there every day with different tasks, e.g. weeding and watering, and they can see how plants grow and thrive when looked after properly. They can also help with the care of the animals.
We have managed to go a big step further in the direction of providing “help for self-help” with what we are farming there. We do not have to buy many additional vegetables or eggs for the residents of Shaligram Bal Griha. Sometimes we can even sell the surplus to the villagers of Lubhu, thereby contributing to the maintenance of the children’s home.
Everything is thriving – a report from the beginnings
Rice is already growing high and turning yellow in the summer of 2004. The cauliflowers have grown well and are thriving beautifully. Another two parcels of land are being prepared and a little hen coop is waiting for the arrival of the first hens. Just several months ago there was only waste land here – and now we will soon be able to harvest our first crops and vegetables. In between a great deal of hard work has been going on. The field has changed life in the children’s home. The older children and the tutors are now going out every day to weed the plants and take care of them – during their school time in the late afternoon and during their holidays even in the morning. During the monsoon, we had to take care that the water could drain effectively. Now that the rainy season is over, watering and weeding are on the agenda.
Read more: Everything is thriving – a report from the beginnings
