Good seeds reap good rewards

Gina Yap, 35, is the wife of small farmer Jul Yap and daughter of Salud Relatado. The family have learned organic farming, which has improved their harvests, and are now sharing their skills with their community [Annie Bungeroth]

Salud Relatado learned her farming skills from CAFOD's partner JPIP in the Philippines, and is now sharing that knowledge with her friends and neighbours

"Before as farmers we just did very short term planning but I learned how to think for the long term and I found it very helpful.

"I have three vegetable plots. I grow eggplant, alogbati, yam, okra, ginger and squash. I also grow a lot of herbs because I attended the herbal medicine training.

"I grow aloe vera and various herbs for coughs, stomach ache, boils and gastric pain.

"The vegetable garden has greatly reduced expenses for food because we've stopped buying vegetables. The herbs mean we don't have to buy medicines because they're very effective."

Value of co-operation

Now her family and the whole community can work towards a more prosperous future together, thanks to the support they all received from JPIP (Josefina Parish Integrated Programme).

"I also learned about the value of co-operation in the family by each family member having their own responsibilities and by establishing rules among family members and to be sensitive to one another.

"We now have a common plan which prevents quarrels and helps us work together.

"I will continue sharing what I have learned with the people around me. I have a strong belief in God and God said that when we are helped we need to share the blessings and help others.

"If you plant good seeds you reap good rewards. I have a very simple wish that I will live for a long time and that we will be a progressive household."

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