La Merced and Garden Projects

Our purpose in traveling to La Merced was to begin development of a family food production project requested by church leaders there. The objective of such projects is to improve the food security and nutrition of families and to assist them in becoming more self reliant. We met with local leaders and explained the purposes and processes of the project and what their next steps will be.  

Contributions to the Humanitarian Fund provide the funds to purchase supplies to help families get started in small-scale fruit and vegetable plots and small animal production in their homes. The fruits and vegetables help improve dietary vitamin and mineral availability and the small animals provide a source of protein. Most of the animals in the projects we've assisted have been laying hens. The eggs provide a source of protein with surplus eggs being sold to purchase chicken feed and also to be able to purchase seeds to continue gardening.

Projects are under the direction of local leaders who work through specialists that shepherd the project and assist families when needs arise. Technical specialists provide training about how to grow food and and how to raise animals to improve the productivity and success of the participants. Our role is to assist in the coordination and acquisition of the supplies needed to get them started.

Behind the chapel with parking lot/basketball court/soccer field on the right.
I love how they make the basketball standard/soccer goal combination

The land here is fertile, the climate is warm, there is plenty of rainfall, the people are friendly, optimistic, and excited at the prospect this project holds for them.  The outlook for a successful project is encouraging.

Pres. Salas, Alex, and Rob after the meeting