+++++++++++++++ Adios 2019....Hello 2020! +++++++++++++++++

Aside from cold weather and a bit of rain, the new year brings with it hope for a greener future.

We recently ran low in our heirloom seed inventory at Vivero La Esperanza and I asked my dear friend Jack if he would consider donating some of his seeds.  Of course Jack said yes and next thing I know I am being gifted this wonderful package of heirloom seeds "tough enough to withstand any coming disasters".

The kids wanted to send a special Gracias to Jack and made thank you cards.

Gracias Jack!

Posada 2019

We had the wonderful idea to hold our holiday posada at the Vivero, inviting the community, family and friends.  At the 11th hour rain visited us and, as any of you who have visited the Vivero after a rain know the place turns into "mudsville".

Zorro loved the attention

Our wonderful friend Barb volunteered and offered her lovely home in Tlachichilco

for the party.

Soon we were gathering at the Vivero to caravan over to Barb's place.

There was food galore!

Everyone contributed...I made my Green Pozole.

Then it was time to sing/ask for posada.  Our singing may have been a bit off key, but the sentiments

were true and right on.

Our core group of volunteers (sans Brad)

Piñatas

The one thing missing from our posada was the Piñata.  Since it had rained at Barb's the previous week, we tabled the piñata to the following Saturday at the Vivero.  Barb's daughter Cydney was visiting from California, so Barb brought her along to help.

Cyd has a mean swing!

A wonderful suggestion was offered to us...that we document our work and harvest numbers in the new year, so Emily Ruth is keeping a weekly journal, documenting our path.

Vivero New Year

The new year also brought with it some challenges, one being the free roaming chickens that visit our garden and feast on our plants.

Emily Ruth helped design an "anti-gallina/chicken" structure to keep out the unwanted

foragers.

With donated bamboo and mesh cloth, we set to work.

Soon the structure was taking shape.  Everyone worked together.

We almost finished covering the structure with cloth, but ran

out of time.  We'll complete this structure and make another next week.

The second structure is to be covered with chicken wire, then we'll

compare and decide the most effective design.

 China's Cherry Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

We always make time for snacks after our Vivero work is done.

Andrea Belen and China

These 2 young entrepreneurs decided to harvest the oranges that our tree had dropped and went around the neighborhood offering them for sale.  They received $15 pesos for a kilo of oranges

and split the profit!

Girl Power Rules!

Thank you again to everyone who has made our project possible.

Watch us grow in 2020!

Happiest of New Years,

Vivero La Esperanza

+++++++++++++ Graduations and Milestones +++++++++++++

A very special day for 2 Brigadistas from San Pedro Itzican and the people who support their growth

and advancement.  Dany Damian Ponce Loza and Jose Regino Rivera Solano having completed their 

Preparatoria or High School careers were now to enroll at the Universidad Regional

Chapala Loyola in Ajijic to study Pedagogia to become Teachers.

Dany and Jose start their paperwork

Enrollment was early on a Saturday morning and Anita Torres Guerrero and I were present

to assist with the process.

It's truly awe inspiring how the universe works sometimes.  We met the school director, Sr. Moises Rodriguez, who listened to our introduction and soon was volunteering assistance for the students in the way of tuition discounts.  Sr. Rodriguez explained that the school covered only 30% of their costs via tuition.  They are an independent educational institute that focuses on social work and helping students from needy communities attain their educational goals. 

We definitely were in the right place.

Dany and Jose were given their official campus shirts and were ready to start classes in Jan. 2020. 

As we made our way thru enrollment we ended up at the financial officer's quarters.

We met Sr. Ruben Salazar, who noticed the Brigadista's Proteccion Civil shirts.  Sr. Salazar told us that he had worked as Director of the Bomberos, Proteccion Civil in Jocotepec for many years.  He showed us his badge proudly and told us that he knows how difficult our work is and commended us on it.  

The boys beamed.

Pupilo Program Graduation

The day was just getting started.  This same day Dany was also graduating from the 

Pupilo Program of Chapala.

PUPILO seeks to create a social impact by giving leadership tools with a focus on actions that change the lives of young people.

PUPILO is an innovative non-profit initiative that is constantly growing thanks to the volunteering of entrepreneurs and professionals involved with society.

The room was filled with students, their mentors and supporters.

Anita Torres Guerrero was honored for her work with youth.

My friend Roberto (Beto) Serrano was also honored for his work in the area.

Our own Yanin Saavedra provided beautiful, inspiration music at the event.

Dany and Francisco Diaz Marques, Brigadistas were both part of the program.

Leaders Antonio, Margarita y Juan Carlos

An amazing, inspirational day....here's to many more to come!

++++++++++++++++++ Animals In The Garden ++++++++++++++++

Today Dr. Lalo brought information and images of one of the animals

in our garden...we started out observing the whole, small animal

and gradually witnessed how the images magnified its features...

Little by little the animal grew and grew...and we discussed

its purpose, function, characteristics and use as it

related to the garden.

Finally the eye was magnified and discussed.

Can you guess which animal we discussed?

Garden Hedge

The older kids started working on clearing and planting a Jade plant hedge.

While the adult volunteers got cracking on the Compost pile

And Garden Beds.

Some of the younger Brigadistas chose to germinate more seeds.

And then segwayed into replanting the Earth Box.

Lulu is one of the most "chill" dogs I've every met.  Even while watching the mother hen

and her 8 chicks, she was so centered.

While our Mustard bed continued to give us harvest 

Our small seed starters were growing nicely, albeit slowly.

Finally, at the end of our work morning, Priscilla gifted our group with a bit of repose;

wonderful German bread, queso Panela and fruit, with a little garden basil...a perfect Almuerzo

after a beautiful morning of gardening.

Gracias to all the generous souls who volunteer their time, 

efforts, resources and love to help make this happen.

Happiest of Holidays.