Here's the challenge - a field full of waist-high weeds that must become a vegetable garden to produce fresh and nutritious food for the table at Bahay Pag-asa. Resources available: shovels, hoes, wheelbarrows, bolos, and the dedication of staff and residents. We have three days to get this project largely underway.
First, using a hoe ("sadol"), shovel, or your bare hands, you dig out or pull up the weeds. This is more painful than you might think - a plant called "shy-shy" (because of its tendency to fold its leaves when touched) has vicious thorns and is mixed in with the other weeds.
Then you pack the weeds in old rice sacks so they can be transported across the property to holes prepared for their disposal.
Then you carry the weeds to their final resting place. This bag is very heavy, but our tough resident wants us to see that he can manage this with no hands.
If all the rice bags are being used, you use a wheelbarrow.
As a last resort, or if you are an older American Brother not likely able to carry an entire rice-bag full of weeds and soil, that you can try this weed transporting method.
Finally, when the weeds are gone you begin to prepare the rows for the crops. This row will have to be checked over the next week to continue to break up the soil and to remove any remaining weeds or weed seedlings. Our next photos will show you the delivery of seeds and the planting of the restored garden.
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