helen weld public health

GHI’s 4^th Thanksgiving Celebrations. . .

“We are each other’s harvest” and celebrating the essence of community was once again realised at the 4^th Annual Gardens for Health Thanksgiving held on November 8, 2013. Helping coordinate the event and being part of a composite team, including young children, GHI board members and friends from the

USA

, GHI staff and community friends, was a fantastic experience. I definitely felt that I was in my element!

The preparation process was in full swing the day before when dedicated staff did the predawn trips to the market to purchase 1000 ears of maize and 700 kg. of potatoes, as well as much more produce. Decorating, cleaning, slaughtering and butchering 10 goats were also some of the list items on Thursday.

Cooking and food preparation began in earnest in the night and through the AM on Friday. The amazing cooks working over hot fires magically produced the food: rice, beans, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, turkey stew, goat stew, and maize. The delicious salad was prepared by another contingent. As projected, lunch was served to about 2000 people (including children) right on schedule. An astounding achievement!

The festivities really began when the mamas enrolled in the GHI program from the Musanze District arrived via prearranged transport. These women had been in bus transit for about 2 hours, some walking about two hours before meeting the bus. For many it was their first time to Kigali. Greeting them and witnessing their elation and excitement was very moving.

Before departure mamas from the eight different health centers sang and danced wholeheartedly, presenting their offerings of food from their own gardens resulting in an enormous cornucopia of food deposited on large mats. These offerings manifest true generosity in the purest form.

Luckily the ominous clouds building throughout the day did not break into downpours until after most of the departures. We were definitely blessed! Continuous music accompanied the work of steadfast dishwashers into the night with intermittent spells of fervent dancing.

Being part of the extraordinary Gardens for Health team for this event was definitely an important goal for me as part of my post-operative recovery and healing. It helps put much of life into perspective in terms of needs and gratitude.

For more photos please see the Gardens for Health Facebook album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151802758973634.1073741834.74617343633&type=1

Helen