ISSUE 3.11 – OCTOBER 2011 PEACE AND HOPE TRUST NEWSLETTER Contact: [email protected] MORINGA AND THE SUMMER TEAM The moringa programme has burst into life and grown rapidly over the last year, and formed the focus of this year’s summer team. The Trust is now growing moringa in five separate locations across Nicaragua, not least on the farm at Matagalpa, where a plantation of 10,000 shrubs is now established, together with a plant nursery propagating large numbers of plants for distribution in the local communities. Many hundreds of trees are also being grown for seed production, and a wider education programme is now well under way. Together with the National University of Agriculture, we are producing educational material about moringa for every school in Nicaragua. Under Jerenia's direction the summer team ran an educational programme in the local primary school where each child was given a moringa story booklet. This was followed by a school party led by Amy and Monica and finally a moringa plant was given to every child. The construction of the moringa worker's house on the farm nears completion. This included the installation of solar lighting. Noel, Ariseli and their three children will move into the new house and their old house will then be repaired initially to store equipment from the container, and later to be used by Nardy and his family if he choses to relocate from Bluefields to work on the moringa plantation. In a further development of the moringa project, Richard Geary has forged links with other growers and moringa processers in Nicaragua. Through these links, we are able to import moringa leaf powder into the UK, the sale of which enables the project to be sustainable, and allows us to give moringa away free of charge to needy Nicaraguans. By purchasing moringa leaf powder or capsules for your wellbeing, you are in turn supporting many families in employment, and helping us to achieve our vision of making moringa freely available in every needy home in Nicaragua. NEWS DIGEST CONTAINER: a team of 36 supporters from far and wide met on 17 th September at the Linton warehouse to load the latest Peace and Hope aid container. Given 7 hours by the shipping company to load the container, the task was completed with an hour to spare and over 500 boxes and packages of vital aid are now en route to Nicaragua. The contents include medical and educational furniture and supplies, tools, clothes, shoes and household goods, as well as toys for kids and fabrics for several sewing projects. SPRING TEAM: Already a large team is gathering for 2012, dates are 17 th January to 7 th February 2012, all enquiries: 01989 720323, or email [email protected] NEWENT ONION FAYRE: A replica Nicaraguan shack was on show at the Fayre to draw attention to living conditions in developing countries, and to help raise awareness of the life saving potential of moringa. Over 10,000 people attended the event and many were interested in our work. The Peace and Hope website is currently being redesigned, and will shortly be on line for purchases of Moringa Harvest Leaf Powder and capsules, as well as a range of PHT ethical gifts for Christmas. For details, look out for the new website at… www.peaceandhope.org.uk