104 Greenhouses in Tapacari, Bolivia
Our staff in Bolivia recently sent us this sign that is being installed along the road to Jironkota, Bolivia to recognize the 104 greenhouses that have been built by Mano a Mano – in partnership with the communities and many supporters – in 8 communities in the Tapacari area.
Greenhouses Are Part of Mano a Mano’s Center for Ecological Agriculture
Mano a Mano built the Center for Ecological Agriculture (CEA) in 2014 to provide low-tech, low-cost tools and training that improve food security and nutrition for rural Bolivian farmers. Tools & training through the CEA complement many of our existing community development initiatives (such as building clinics and water projects), while filling a need that was not being met with our other projects. To give just one example, the clinic we have in Jironkota provides healthcare access for the area, but does not address some of the basic issues that cause rural Bolivian farmers to get sick in the first place – primarily nutrition and food security.
The greenhouses (yellow-topped buildings) now dot the landscape in Tapacari.
Learn More About the Center for Ecological Agriculture
Below are links with more information about Mano a Mano’s Center for Ecological Agriculture:
- Video overview of the Center for Ecological Agriculture (Youtube)
- Volunteers from Oxford Development Abroad working with Mano a Mano on CEA projects
- One Family’s Greenhouse in Huayco Arriba, Bolivia
- 10 photos from training workshops, site visits, and building projects
- Building biosand water filters for 37 families
Greenhouse in Jironkota with many vegetables growing.
Last Year’s ‘Festival Bolivia’ Event Supported Greenhouse Projects
On Saturday, May 9th, 2015, Mano a Mano celebrated 21 years in operation and gathered with Mano a Mano friends at the Earle Brown Heritage Center for Festival Bolivia 2015. The event went very well, and Mano a Mano raised $43,000 to support our Center for Ecological Agriculture (CEA), which helped build many of these greenhouses and support other CEA projects.
In 2015, the Center for Ecological Agriculture had more than 1,100 visitors, hosted 12 agricultural education workshops for rural farmers, and built 104 greenhouses in Bolivia.
Going through an assessment of their community at the CEA.
Join Us for Festival Bolivia 2016 – April 23rd, 2016
Join Mano a Mano on April 23rd, 2016 for our 7th annual event ‘Festival Bolivia 2016 – Back to Our Roots: Branching Out to Our MN Neighbors’ at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Come celebrate & support our surplus distribution program, a small seed of an idea that has grown into a flourishing community development organization.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the event & purchase tickets.