Whenever I see examples of humanitarian aid (non-emergency) items shipped overseas to help those less fortunate then us, I always wonder what happens when that particular item is used up or gone.

Have We Really Helped ?  

What have we really done to help others in the long run ? Nothing really, because they are right back where they started. The next question becomes, "What could we have sent them that would have a lasting benefit ?" The only answer that keeps coming up is EDUCATION.

Food Is Life

The most needed item in daily life is FOOD. So let's teach others how to become self sufficient by growing their own food. I’m not talking about big agriculture with dependence on machines and fuel, fertilizers and large tracts of land.

Home Gardening Is The Answer

I’m talking about home gardening where each family can grow a good portion of their own needs in a small space with no tools, fertilizer and a few seeds... A simple easy-to-understand method that anyone can use and one that doesn’t depend on the existing soil or the need to improve it.

The Method That Works

Of course you can see my direction; I’m heading toward Square Foot Gardening. That is the only method known that accomplishes all of the above. When the former LDS president Spencer W. Kimball said, "We encourage you to grow all the foods that you feasibly can... Study the best methods. Make your garden neat and attractive as well as productive." I’m sure he was talking about Square Foot Gardening.

Start With A Book

How can we teach others this simple, practical method so they can become less dependent on the outside world, yet lead a better life ? We can send them a book. That is how the impressive India project got started, just the SFG book and a Jesuit Priest who said, "We can do that."

Then Send An Actual Demonstration Garden

Books have to be read, understood, and followed. However, an actual demonstration garden could give any project a jump start and be understood so much quicker. What if we made up a small sample of a SFG in kit form, included the box, soil mix, seeds and simple directions with mostly pictures ? This would not overwhelm any recipient and once they were successful with that garden, they would know exactly what they would have to do to expand their garden. It’s all so simple, even the kids can do it, thereby getting the entire family involved.

The Perfect Gift

If we can send pallets of food and other supplies that will get used up – why not send gardens shrink-wrapped on a pallet that will get used over and over again, producing a new crop every time it’s used ? Talk about a perpetual gift ! One that never stops giving. And the best part of the gift is that promotes self sufficiency.    Would you or your church group like to help ?

Do Something Positive Against World Hunger.

        Let's Stop Sending Food,

                 Let's start teaching Self Sufficiency.

Click here for The UTAH project