Comments on: Welcome to our blog!

By: camidon

camidon — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:18:50 +0000

The more discussion around the community, in almost any format, is a good thing.

Chris, your point about the many Africas is absolutely on target. Its far too easy for us Americans to lump the many vast countries and ethnic cultures into 1 giant continent. “The Many Africas” is something that needs to be emphasized as much as possible. What works in one area may not work in another. The question then becomes, why is drip irrigation the right solution for Lesotho? From the meetings, its clear you know the answer to this, but irs our job to make this clear to everyone else.

By: Chris Skellenger

Chris Skellenger — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:02:57 +0000

MARY HAGAN has been busy investigating the possibility of using bamboo for fencing and irrigation pipe. She has been in contact with the NPR show “You Bet Your Garden” which airs on Saturdays around here.

She approached Mike, the host, with our investigative topic. Here is his reply:
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well I wouldn’t advise trying to install drip in Africa; they need solutions that are non-complex…there may be something better than bamboo;

Would you like to try and discuss this ‘on air’ when we tape calls for my Public Radio show, “You Bet Your Garden”, this Wednesday between 3 and 5 pm EST?
Thanks! —Mike McG http://www.youbetyourgarden.org
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How exciting is that! Awesome! But, I want to add this comment:

Wow Mary! What great work! If you decide to talk to him you can tell him and the rest of the world that is listening what a great thing we have going with our drip irrigation over there. One stereotype we will come up against often has raised its head here, when Mike says “I wouldn’t advise trying to install drip in Africa…” A lot of people think of Africa as just one thing… namely, “Africa”… this gigantic and complex continent cannot be subjected to generalizations. Some areas of Africa do indeed need very simple and sustainable technologies, and the continuum of acceptability ranges from the environs of Sudanese refugee camps to the needs of Soweto to the problems of ultra modern cities like Nairobi and Cairo….. there are many, many Africas…
Also, I saw a unique fund raising method yesterday…. people were being urged to donate their receipts from the can return machine at Lake Ann Grocery to a local project and it was working nicely.

Thanks, Chris Skellenger, Director, 11 Oaks

By: camidon

camidon — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:17:53 +0000

Thanks for setting this up, Chris. This is a great resource. I’ll try to stay informed while I’m away in South Dakota, doing the whole Rangering thing. Keep up the great work. Best Wishes to all.

Chris Amidon

By: Chris Skellenger

Chris Skellenger — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:06:11 +0000

Here is the address to an outstanding article referred to us by Steve Swaney. It’s long, but never a dull moment.

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=359819

Thanks Steve,
Chris

By: Sister Alice

Sister Alice — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:33:09 +0000

Dear Chris.

I am happy that you have sent me the information because it tells me how close to you we are. It elevates our sometimes weary bodies minds and souls.

Please send my greatest gratitude to all members of 11 Oak Family for keeping us as part of their concern.

Sister Alice
St. Charles High School
Lesotho