For each water hyacinth sold at Bergen Water Gardens, $1.50 of the $3.00 purchase price will go to Chapin Living Waters during the summer of 2006. Here's what the Hyacinth Project helps accomplish:
Chapin Living Waters, based in Watertown, New York, provides drip irrigation kits to poor rural communities in Africa and beyond. This system consists of a bucket which feeds irrigation tape. The water drips out of the holes into the soil and the adjacent roots. Each system can water up to ninety-eight plants. The vegetables produced are food for the family and the excess maybe sold providing much needed cash for clothes, medical visits and school supplies. In Malawi - Africa, the program is working so well that a food processing plant has been built and rations are sent out to feed over 25,000 children a month.
Hundreds of requests from around the world are received every week for the bucket kits. Each kit costs $10.00 and an average of $7.50 to ship it to its destination. A kit will last 5 to seven years in the field. Recipients of the kits are schooled in basic soil preparation, fertilizing, seed germination and plant care.
The water hyacinth is a staple of the water gardener. It helps to shade the water, limit algae growth, and provides a delightful flower. It may be used in a container garden, birdbath or an ornamental pond. Please do not place this plant in any natural ponds, streams or lakes!
This year we are initiating an ambitious project to provide financial support to the Chapin Living Waters Foundation.
In a nut shell, the Hyacinth Project is the donation of $1.50 for every $ 3.00 water hyacinth you purchase from Bergen Water Gardens this season. Help us help others to use their precious freshwater efficiently to provide food for their families! In addition, all speakers’ fees which Larry receives for programs he gives will also be donated to Chapin Living Waters.
Many of you know that I attended the University of Rochester with majors in biology and anthropology. My educational experience took me to the continent of Africa twice. In 1979 I was in Liberia with Crossroads Africa rebuilding the School for the Deaf outside the capital of Monrovia. My destination was Lake Malawi in 1982. There I worked with a research team from Duke studying the Cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi. Our work helped to understand the reproduction of the fish which are a major source of protein for the Malawi people. Both experiences were personally enriching and changed my outlook on the world.
Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, will always be especially close to me. Malawi ranks as the third poorest country in the world. It has been especially hard hit by the severe droughts in southeastern Africa in recent years. The soil is poor and most villagers walk an hour or more to get water to irrigate their gardens if it is available at all.
A few months ago I became aware of the work of Dick Chapin providing simple root irrigation kits for the people of Malawi and around the world. With this Bucket Kit, the dry, lifeless soil can produce a bountiful crop of fresh vegetables. The system consists of a bucket which feeds irrigation tape with water. The water drips out of holes into the soil to provide water to the growing ninety-eight plants. The vegetables produced are food for the family and the excess may be sold providing much needed cash for clothes, medical visits and school supplies. In Malawi the program is working so well that a food processing plant was built and rations are sent out to feed over 25,000 children a month!
Consider this: In April 2004 a report to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, initiated by the Swedish Government, pointed out the harsh realities of water scarcity. The report indicated that 105 gallons of water are required to produce one pound of bread. An amazing 8,453 gallons of water are required for 1 lb. of beef. Using a bucket kit, it takes 3 gallons of water for 1 lb. of vegetables! In one season, one bucket kit can produce up to 400 lbs. of vegetables from only 1,200 gallons of water.
The requests for bucket kits are overwhelming. Each kit costs $10.00 and an average of $7.50 to ship it to its destination. The bucket kits last 5 to 7 years in the field. Dick Chapin and his foundation work with hundreds of groups around the world who want to use this simple technology. Others discover his work and want to help by raising funds. We, at Bergen Water Gardens and Nursery, want to contribute to this effort therefore the creation of the Hyacinth Project. When you visit Bergen Water Gardens this summer see a working bucket kit on our sample garden. Look at the pond with the colorful cichlid fish from Lake Malawi and examine the posted pictures of Larry’s trips to Africa. Look at the other information available on the efforts of Chapin Living Waters. Most important, purchase a hyacinth or two so we can help our friends in Malawi and beyond!
Zikomo (Chichewa word for thank you),
Larry and Sherry
For more info:
www.chapinlivingwaters.org
On Malawi: www. friendsofmalawi.org
