I am happy to add to the examples of ways to respond to the call for global solidarity.
Our diocese worked with Catholic Relief Services on a pilot project called CRS/Harvest for Hope. Our goals were to raise awareness about the extreme poverty in Bolivia, and to respond to their needs by supplying 200 Tons of wheat. We hoped to make a personal connection - farmer to farmer.
The wheat was to be distributed by Caritas Cochabamba as food-for-work to participants in an agricultural training program in Cochabamba, Bolivia. This was one part of a comprehensive development project of CRS in rural villages in this impoverished area. (Bolivia is right down there with Haiti at the bottom of the development list in the Western Hemisphere). The program aimed to increase crop production through improved techniques such as land terracing and irrigation, and to begin reforestation. The men were often forced to leave their own small farms to work for cash on the big farms during the cropping season. Their own lands deteriorated.
Our diocese is a rural one, covering the Eastern third of Washington State. The program idea came from a Canadian Foodgrains Bank program whereby the agricultural producers donate commodities for international aid and the government transports them around the world. In our case we accepted donations of wheat and cash. Because of the high cost of shipping we ended up using the cash donations to purchase wheat in Bolivia and shipped 40 tons of wheat from Washington to reach our goal of 200 tons. With the payments the peasant farmers received in wheat, they were able to feed their families and to work on their own farms - and as a consequence, increase their own production.
Our bishop, three farmers, the DD and I travelled (at our own expense) last November to Bolivia to meet the people and celebrate with them. I will never forget the lump in my throat when we rounded the corner after three hours in the bus and saw about 50 people gathered together, no village in sight, the women in their brightly colored clothes. I asked, "What are they doing?" The CRS representative said: "Waiting for you". We were able to see the potato plants flourishing on the terraces constructed last year and to marvel over the eucalyptus seedlings waiting to be replanted. We came away feeling that we CAN make a difference. We are going to ask for cash and commodity gifts again this year. It was not just the rural areas who got involved. City parishes also contributed.
We were very impressed by the CRS staff and the projects we visited. American Catholics can be proud of the overseas efforts of our church. CRS has just informed us that they consider the pilot project a success and one they hope to duplicate in other dioceses. There has been a steady decline in government food aid programs - and the need is great. I would love to talk to anyone about it in more detail. Someone might be "waiting for you".
Our Harvest for Hope prayer:
In GRATITUDE, we thank God for our abundant blessings,
In SOLIDARITY, we share our harvest with those who hunger,
Together, in HOPE, we seek God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Judy Butler
Spokane, Washington
