We are grateful to those who donated money to Konzalendo for the Care of the Earth project. It was decide that the money would be used to respond to two issues presently afflicting Konzalendo and it’s environment. One was the issue of people cutting down trees and not replacing them and the other is the issue of Care of the Earth and creating awareness in this regard.
Konzalendo is a hilly/valley area and use to have lots of trees. The people depended on growing bananas for income. The tragic destruction of the banana trees as a result of disease rendered the people poor and desperate. Some turned to the sale of charcoal which needed a lot of trees to be cut down and burnt for charcoal. Others went into the sale of bricks and this also needed a lot of trees to be cut down for burning the bricks. Years of cutting trees without replacing them have left limited number of trees in the community. The sisters decided to buy three hundred Blue Gum tree seedlings, which was distributed among different families around the Konzalendo area. Some were also planted in the church compound.
The other half of the money was used to give a workshop on the Care of the Earth to youths and women. Encouraging them to plant two trees every time they cut one tree; to reduce, reuse and recycle. They were glad and the youths made a commitment to start an ecology garden. This garden will be used to demonstrate all that is acceptable and possible in the Care of the Earth. Sr. Freda asked the parish priest for a space that is easily accessible to all.
The ground was dug up. All plastics removed and appropriate grass was planted along with fruit trees, wild traditional trees, and flowers. Beautiful stones with natural designs were also brought into the garden. There is a sacred space within the garden where people can just come and be with nature.
The garden is open to anyone and the people were told that when the fruits are ready, any person who is hungry can come into the garden to eat as much fruits as they want, but they cannot take any fruits out of the garden. By doing this it is hoped that hungry people will find somewhere to fill their stomach. At present there are nine varieties of fruit in the garden. Hopefully this garden will demonstrate the importance of caring for the earth and one another.
We thank all our donors, those who made caring for our earth possible in Konzalendo.
