As
soon as the rains return after the summer dry season, the first
concern is to get the new rice crops planted. Here some of the
Brothers are finishing off a rice paddy which is one of the
recently reworked rice blocks. They needed a bit more work this
first planting so as to make them fit for planting. We hope
to reap the benefits in the future.
Just
4 months after planting, in mid-September the first blocks are
ready to harvest. A faithful had also generously donated a new
organic fertilizer for all the planting which will also help
to yield more rice.
However
much we would try to rely on rice for an income it does not
seem that we will become a productive farm without some other
sourse of income. And what better way in the Philippines than
bananas. Here a good friend of the noviciate is introducing
the Brothers into the correct way of planting Lacatan bananas.
210 stems were planted in August and September and from these
210 we hope to begin many more banana hills in the next couple
of years, from which many tons of bananas can be harvested and
sold.
Some
of the early growth of the banana stems. The first harvest should
be in a years time.
Another
project for the farm is the raising of pigs. 3 three month old
pigs were bought from a neighbour which will be fattened for
the market. Just 2 weeks later we also bought the mother pig
and will now hopefully be in the pig business full time. The
metal frames on the top of the pig pens allows us to lock the
pigs in securely at night so that no more (or less) livestock
can be stolen.
Pigs
like to eat and feed is expensive to buy. Here the Brothers
are planting feed corn which should be ready for the first litter
of pigs towards the end of the year.
The
water supply has always been a problem and a new well was dug
to a 35 foot depth when a big rock appeared which does not want
to move. The goal was 40 feet which should have put us in the
strong water supply. A plan is still in the making to make a
hole through the rock. Along with the new water supply a new
purification system was installed with some good results so
that we can now drink the water from our own well without fear
of bacteria contamination.
A
project started last year October was a new laundry around the
water tower. The project being too much for the Brothers to
manage on their own, a local crew was hired to finish the job.
This photo shows the near completion of the laundry which will
move the laundry from behind the chapel to a more convenient
spot. There should also be some room for a work bench and storage
of bicycles etc.
Another
project the protection for the infamous diesel engine which
was the attention of the robbers last April. It now will be
housed in welded cage strong enough to keep out a casual and
even a determined thief.
The
electrification of Purok 7. The Noviciate was instrumental in
getting electricity brought into the neighbourhood of Purok
7 to which we belong. While the Noviciate has had power from
its beginning, many neighbours did not. As part of an agreement
with them for crossing their property with our new road, we
promised to help with bringing in electricity. After some months,
the Bararangay was able to have the power company set up poles
and lines. The houses were to be wired shortly afterward.
Three
of the Noviciate dogs, the first 2 being still puppies, perhaps
up to some adventure.
