On Saturday morning we had our main activity, working in bio-huertas, or urban gardens, where those in surrounding low-income neighborhoods use vacant lots to grow fruit and vegetables. A video, From the Earth to the Pot, describes several bio-huertas in Lima, including the one we worked at. The project organizer, Senora Gregorio (seen at 8:44 and 14:30 in the video), told us that the land under powerlines could not be used for homes, and so had instead become a large, uncontrolled garbage field. They cleared out all the trash and got assistance from the power company to buy plants and water for converting the lifeless area into a green, life-giving oasis. The project continues to expand, putting more vacant land “under the plow,” and previous SST groups as well as ours have been privileged to help. As Sra. Gregoria explained the history of the project, it was evident that without her organizational skills, especially the ability to empower women, the near-miraculous transformation of desert to garden would not have happened.
Under the power lines sits a leafy, green oasis in the sand and concrete desert.Sra. Gregoria explains how she organized and motivated women to participate in the gardening project.An existing greenhouse serves the lower plots; students will help paint the frame of a new greenhouse higher up the slope.Some students began carrying soil to the future greenhouse.Other students began painting the wood frame of the future greenhouse.In another part of the project Sra. Gregoria had students helping a handicapped woman with her garden plot.Meredith and Anja helped clear weeds.Dez carried the weeds out …… while Austin brought in compost.The compost was mixed with the sterile desert sand.Eventually the compost and sand were sufficiently mixed for planting.Back at the site of the new greenhouse, students were stretching to reach the top of the frame.Once they had painted as far as they could on tippy-toes, …… new strategies were needed to reach the highest points.A small step-ladder supported by friends worked well, …… as did riding on a friend’s shoulders, …… as did using a friend’s head for support, …… and being able to lean on friends is always helpful.A professor, with her greater wisdom, just ties an extension to the paintbrush.When the work was over, the members of the project brought us much appreciated refreshments …… of Inca Kola and sweet bread.When we walked back to Alicia’s home, lunch was ready.Anticuchos, a Peruvian favorite, are grilled chuncks of beef hearts or chicken.Also served were choclo – corn with giant kernels – and potatoes.The end of our Cono Sur trip, before heading back to our homes.
