Monday, June 2, 2008

Turning the Tide

I do not know if you will see this the way I do—but when 1,100 fruiting trees were planted around three years ago on the base property I could see a change coming. It would take some time but it was coming. It is like the tide changing. These trees will turn a tide in providing some of the food needs we have had and even provide some income in the sale of the surplus.

The bananas (eating and cooking), rambutan, pineapple, papaya, sirsak, mango, lemons, limes, Bali orange, avocado, and even durian (known as the king of fruits) will be hanging from trees all over the property. We will use a lot of this fruit to feed our staff and patients. We will also sell whatever remains. These trees will help us off-set the high cost of feeding over 100 people each day.

Corn, egg plant, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables are also grown in gardens. We use this in the same way to supplement the cost of food. We also have cows, pigs, chickens, goats, ducks, and geese that are on the property.

We must turn the tide by becoming more and more dependent on what we can grow or sell. By the way—durian is not as bad as some say it is.