By GO Fellow Sarah Herrera

In the back of the property along the village houses grows an inspiring garden of sweet potatoes, corn, spinach, and eggplant. As the children are taught and trained how to plant appropriately – with the girls poking holes and the boys planting seeds – the life skills and knowledge that come from such education are extraordinarily rewarding.

Most families in Haiti are required to grow what they eat due to their location. Whether living in a mountainous village or in the distant countryside of a valley, there are many places in Haiti where the only available food resource is the one dug and planted by the hands that live on the land. Others may choose to grow their own food so that they may sell it in the markets for a profit in hopes of providing for their families. Regardless of the reason, the privilege of being taught such a trade as agriculture is incredible. It promotes teamwork and work ethic, perseverance, and the joy of a job well done.

Therefore, within the education of agriculture is the lesson of cooking meals, planting future crops, and understanding how to harvest. It is an excellent comprehensive classroom and even more so an important opportunity to understand hard work and acknowledge responsibility. The kids love it, the mamas are happy to have help, and the Pastor is proud of his children.