Phone system problems have prevented more than the briefest contact over the last couple of weeks, but enough to at least communicate that the chiefdom remains healthy, even as the World Health Organization reports a continuing upsurge in cases elsewhere in the country. We are hopeful for a more prolonged conversation this weekend.
The harvesting of upland rice is nearly complete -- we have successfully "bridged" the villages through their food danger zone to a point where they can now be self-sufficient for some time, even if transport restrictions severely limit the amount of food arriving at upcountry markets from Freetown. Big thanks are due to our many donors who made this possible! Harvesting of swamp rice, which matures later, is just beginning and will add to the food supply. As always, there will not be enough rice to last all the way through until the next harvest, but the crop is good, and for now, attention can be focused more fully on this dry season's development projects. Continued vigilance to prevent any influx of Ebola is, of course, the top priority.
S.C.
The harvesting of upland rice is nearly complete -- we have successfully "bridged" the villages through their food danger zone to a point where they can now be self-sufficient for some time, even if transport restrictions severely limit the amount of food arriving at upcountry markets from Freetown. Big thanks are due to our many donors who made this possible! Harvesting of swamp rice, which matures later, is just beginning and will add to the food supply. As always, there will not be enough rice to last all the way through until the next harvest, but the crop is good, and for now, attention can be focused more fully on this dry season's development projects. Continued vigilance to prevent any influx of Ebola is, of course, the top priority.
S.C.