Food
Time to Fight for a Better Life
Two years ago, Maria’s husband Antonio went blind. It was an unexpected blow to the family. Suddenly, Maria found herself solely responsible for their five children, the youngest of whom was just a newborn. In her small, rural community of Vichibala, Guatemala, there aren’t many job opportunities. And even if there were, Maria had no one to provide childcare.
Reinventing the Table
Each of the four seasons we experience here in Canada can be a reminder of the rhythms of creation we are inherently a part of. Summer can feel like almost anything is possible. Previously ice covered ground now growing tomatoes! Fall and winter remind us that some things might need to fade and even die on the path to renewal and redemption. And then the coming new life of Spring. The green around us grows brighter. Daffodils bloom in surprising places. Our Creator’s brilliant creativity is on full display.
Overcoming Hunger
When Food for the Hungry (FH) started work in Amhara, Ethiopia, they saw that many of the children were going hungry. Unable to get the nutrients they needed to grow up strong and healthy, their bodies and minds struggled. In technical terms, the children were suffering from chronic malnutrition and severe stunting. In heart terms, the kids were half starved and their parents couldn’t stand it.
Cropping Out Poverty
Before partnering with FH, many communities farmed and gardened in ways they had done for centuries. While traditional farming methods are important, it’s also necessary to incorporate simple new agricultural techniques that keep soil healthy and diversify crops. As FH partners with communities, many are looking for better agricultural success. Implementing these new practices are the first place to start.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Coffee of Your Life
You may remember that our last issue of Hope Notes began with an interview with the Waktola family of Sasiga, Ethiopia. They enthusiastically told us that having coffee with friends and neighbours was the number one thing they did for fun. So we decided to dig a little deeper into where that comes from.
Recipe: Guatemalan ¡Ponche Navideño! (Fruit Punch!)
This sweet and cinnamon-y Christmas punch warms the soul while tickling your taste-buds! In Guatemala it is served hot, and comes out at most holidays meals and parties - and there will be an especially big bowl of it with the traditional Christmas Tamales that are always served on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve! It's a delicious tradition that goes back generations for many Guatemalan families.