On behalf of the KPP Board of Directors, we hope this update finds everyone in good health. And you are finding creative ways to adjust to the demands of Covid-19.
2020 started with a bang. Our first luncheon for year-end 2019 was a success. In March 2020, a new board of directors was elected. Several projects were ready to go or in the planning stage in addition to our regular activities. We were flying high, excited, and full of enthusiasm. One of our exciting projects was the School Garden.
This project was submitted for funding to the non profit organization One World Group Oxted of London, and in February 2020, the funds were approved. Four (4) schools were chosen for the project: Ecole Nationale de Figuiers, EFA de Port-a-Piment, Ecole Nationale de Potus, Ecole Notre Dame du Rosaire, as they all have access to land not currently in use. By March 20, 2020, much work had been done such as, lecture sessions, field preparation, enclosures of the fields, planting of different seeds, watering… The work was performed by the students accompanied by Agronomist Gerdy Francois and Agronomy Student Laurent Parollo, all under the supervision of the schools’ principals.
Then without warning, the world was blindsided by Covid-19. As we all know, Port-a-Piment was not exempt; all schools had to close their doors and the commune was officially on lockdown. And the goals of this project to impact the lives of the children in the areas of education, economy and nutrition came to a screeching halt.
Discouraged, yes! but temporarily. Defeated, never!
As the saying goes, we were down but not out. And this spirit was exemplified by 7 individuals who refused to accept the verdict that all was lost.
At the Ecole Nationale de Potus, the gang of 7: Boasze Hyppolyte (Principal), Jean Jules Musac (Teacher), Gerdy Francois (Agronomist), Laurent Parallo (Agronomy Student), Carl-Henry (Student), Sheevenson (Student) and Kensley(Student) stepped forward and said defeat, “not on our watch.” They took it upon themselves not to allow all their collaborative efforts to go to waste. That decision led to tremendous challenges because of the precautions necessary in dealing with the virus. The number of student participants was reduced from 73 to 3. And to make matters worse, nature was not cooperating. The area was experiencing a drought.
Again, Hooray for the team.
To irrigate the fields, the gang of 7 rolled up their sleeves and hauled countless buckets of water from the river which is about 1 to 2 miles away. They had to sprinkle the water by hand on each plant to keep the heat from scalding them. That process had to be done for 2 fields; one is 360 square meters and the other 350 square meters.
As of this writing, the gardens are growing relatively well. Already, tomatoes, sweet peppers and other crops are starting to show. Before long, the other crops (corn, eggplant, beets, bananas, okra…) will be ready for harvesting.
It can be said, the gang of 7 “snatched victory from the jaw of defeat.” The date to re-start this project hopefully is right around the corner. Once the authorities give the OK to reopen the schools, we hope to restart the project as we take the precautions necessary to deal with Covid-19.
Excitement is in the air again. As the gang of 7 has demonstrated, “where there is a will there is a way.”
Covid-19 is on the rise again, especially in the Americas. When possible, Stay Home! Follow the official guidelines of the authorities. Keep Safe!
Y. Sidney
