Marking out the position where the first rubber trees will be planted
Ground breaking in prepartion for the first seedling to be plantedI mentioned sometime back about an idea of establishing a rubber tree plantation which will help make Bethany self sufficient in time. Earlier in the year when last in Talakag I discussed the possibility of establishing a rubber plantation as a means to Bethany becoming self sufficient in funding which would go a long way in helping alleviate their constant cash worries. Just imagine a dedicated band of administrators and carers doing a sterling job with orphaned, abandoned and needy children and despite everything they still live in hope that somewhere or somehow funding will become available. These same dedicated people have often gone without themselves just to ensure that the children of Bethany come first just as the founder Miss Louise Lynip would have wished for. With their plight in mind I spoke with our friends back in the UK and explained what our intention was regarding establishing a rubber plantation.
The first to offer assistance was none other than the Bae Labi of Western Mindanao Sonita Manlin Mande-Ryde I wrote sometime ago in my blog about the Mindanaoan Princess living in North Yorkshire, well the Bae Labi donated funding for the first hectare to be planted. My former work colleague and good friend David Mackenzie along with Angela Rice another former work colleague donated a further hectare each. Other very good friends of ours Mrs Lorna Wishart and Mr Bob Hills and his wife Ann, together with Marilou’s colleagues at Durham Business School also donated a sum of money towards a further hectare which with smaller contributions will make already four hectares. Marilou and I said we would not buy each other Christmas presents or indeed anyone this year and instead we will donate a further hectare making five hectares in total. That is 1/3 of the project already funded as there is 15(fifteen) hectares of available land for planting rubber trees. Bearing in mind it takes five years from planting the first seedlings to tapping the trees to produce latex we cannot hang around if we are to be successful, so I’m asking all friends and well wishers of Bethany Christian Home For Children Inc to please help us to realize our dream of self sufficiency. I will personally manage and report on the progress of the project as I live permanently now in Talakag so be rest assured your donations will be well cared for and you will be given regular updates on our progress. For those of you who donate a full hectare or part you will be given a certificate for the amount of donation and the area that has been planted in rubber trees. This is not a fly by night project but something that will sustain Bethany for the next 45 years or so, the life of a rubber tree.
The first of the land clearing and marking out commenced this week with myself and Marilou in attendance to check on progress. We were so proud to know that in such a short space of time our dream had commence. So if we want to see Bethany continue to do its very best for the children who constantly need its help, please dig deep and give comfort to the dedicated band of staff and show them that we care and appreciate their valuable contribution. For more information on the project or sending donations etc please feel free to contact me direct at jcjimc@aol.com
