Philippines Aquaponics Project
Donation protected
Without getting into my life story, or the big background plot, I am setting up a couple of Aquaponic Systems in the Philippines. Why? Because a crazy priest friend of mine, Fr. Mike Semana, founder of Lamb Shall Lead International, asked me to, and I couldn't think of a good enough reason to say no.
This past August I visited a number of locations in Aklan and Romblon provinces, introducing Aquaponics and a few other agricultural practices. At one location, Isla Pegado, I set up a simple aquaponic system to introduce the technology and this coming year (2016) will return to build a larger system, there and in the parish of Santa Rita de Cascia. Some people are familiar with Aquaponics, while others are scratching their heads, so let me explain what it is.
Hydroponics is the growing of plants in inert media, such as stones or even water, with the nutrients being delivered through the water, rather than plants getting everything through the soil. Aquaculture is the raising of aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, farm raised fish being the main example. Aquaponics is the combination of Aquaculture and Hydroponics, where the fertilizer for the plants is provided by the waste from the animals, and the plants filter and purify the water for the animals.
In the hills of Ibajay, in Aklan Province, the people walk for hours every Saturday to the market, buying what they need for the week. If they buy fish, they need to cook it immediately on fires by the roadside, otherwise it would spoil druing their return home. Setting up these systems in the Philippines will allow the local communities to enjoy a greater self-suffiency and support these smaller rural communities. Too often our focus on missionary or aid projects is based on the urban areas, which leads to people leaving families and villages to find work in cities and large towns. The hope of this project is that members of these local communities will reach out to other communities and help them establish their own systems.
After looking over plans and supply lists, figuring in building materials, solar power units and pumps, each site is estimated to cost about $5,000. Because I know everyone is generous, and that things never come in under budget, I am looking at raising $12,000. I already bought my ticket for next July, and that is out of my pocket, but I need help with the rest.
The other part of this project was my hope of bringing young people along to assist and to teach aquaponics, which I can teach to them ahead of time. Right now I have a couple of youth interested, and a couple of adults. Initially I had pushed for High School Juniors, but after talking with many people this project is open to others interested. Just let me know.
This past August I visited a number of locations in Aklan and Romblon provinces, introducing Aquaponics and a few other agricultural practices. At one location, Isla Pegado, I set up a simple aquaponic system to introduce the technology and this coming year (2016) will return to build a larger system, there and in the parish of Santa Rita de Cascia. Some people are familiar with Aquaponics, while others are scratching their heads, so let me explain what it is.
Hydroponics is the growing of plants in inert media, such as stones or even water, with the nutrients being delivered through the water, rather than plants getting everything through the soil. Aquaculture is the raising of aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, farm raised fish being the main example. Aquaponics is the combination of Aquaculture and Hydroponics, where the fertilizer for the plants is provided by the waste from the animals, and the plants filter and purify the water for the animals.
In the hills of Ibajay, in Aklan Province, the people walk for hours every Saturday to the market, buying what they need for the week. If they buy fish, they need to cook it immediately on fires by the roadside, otherwise it would spoil druing their return home. Setting up these systems in the Philippines will allow the local communities to enjoy a greater self-suffiency and support these smaller rural communities. Too often our focus on missionary or aid projects is based on the urban areas, which leads to people leaving families and villages to find work in cities and large towns. The hope of this project is that members of these local communities will reach out to other communities and help them establish their own systems.
After looking over plans and supply lists, figuring in building materials, solar power units and pumps, each site is estimated to cost about $5,000. Because I know everyone is generous, and that things never come in under budget, I am looking at raising $12,000. I already bought my ticket for next July, and that is out of my pocket, but I need help with the rest.
The other part of this project was my hope of bringing young people along to assist and to teach aquaponics, which I can teach to them ahead of time. Right now I have a couple of youth interested, and a couple of adults. Initially I had pushed for High School Juniors, but after talking with many people this project is open to others interested. Just let me know.
Organizer
Henry Reid
Organizer
Valley Stream, NY
