Imagine a group of
farmers gathered together to plant their seasonal crop, but
they have no seed. Imagine further that their families depend
on the same crop for nearly all their food in the year ahead.
This was the annual reality facing the economically poor farmers
in the Dominican Republic’s Federation of Azua.
In a partnership with the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development
of People, the farmers of the Federation have been able to build
silos to store their harvest. The metallic silos prevent their
beans, rice, and corn from perishing in the humid conditions
of the Dominican Republic, thus guaranteeing that the farmers
and their families will be fed for the next year. The silos
also safely store part of the harvest for use as starter seed
for the next crop. It is, of course, a simple solution; without
Presbyterian support, however, the cost of the silos was prohibitive
for the farmers.
Self-Development of People makes dreams come true for the
poor both globally and in the United States. To be funded a
project must be presented, owned, and controlled by an economically
poor community group that will benefit directly from their work.
Self-Development of People is concentrating part of its international
grant program in the Dominican Republic between 2008 and 2009.
A network of Presbyterians who are interested in mission there
has also been organized. If you would like to belong to the
Dominican Republic Mission Network, please send an e-mail to
wgnatuk@ctr.pcusa.org or call (888) 728-7228, ext. 5677.
—Rev. Wayne A. Gnatuk, associate for churchwide relations,
Self-Development of People, General Assembly Council |
