To own and work a piece of land seems to reflect back to our ancient roots. There is something primal about being outside, with dirt under your nails, working the land. We have a sizable backyard, and John and I spend much of the spring, summer, and fall outside tending to the yard. And the weeds. But we often feel refreshed, having spent the day outside, breathing fresh air, working until our muscles ache. I also enjoy planting my garden. Full of vegetables, herbs, and fruit. The reward is so satisfying when I am able to harvest carrots, peas, lettuce, raspberries, tomatoes, squash.
Our livelihood doesn't depend on our farming and land maintenance skills, thankfully. If it did, I would definitely need to be a bit more dedicated to watering my plants regularly. And keeping the plants trimmed to best support growth. But owning land for many people around the world is the difference between poverty and prosperity. To not own land means that nothing is yours except what is on your back. The house you are renting can be taken away at a moments notice. Loss of a job can mean you and your family are out on the streets. Agros International is looking to help and restore hope to these landless people. Their vision and mission: Agros exists to restore hope and opportunity to the world's poor. Our mission is to see rural poor families own agricultural land, attain economic self-sufficiency, realize their God-given potential, and pass on to future generations the values and resources that enable them to flourish. Here is a short video, from Agros and edited by BlueSkyHill, that shows the work being done through Agros.
Congratulations, Street Bean Espresso, for having your doors open for one year! Your dream for these street youth is inspiring, and your impact monumental in their lives. "We had always dreamed of opening a business that would provide supportive employment for the young adults we serve—a place with the grace to work with them as they work on themselves. They need more than just a job. They need a community to replace their community on the street, and a place to discover a new identity apart from the street." Grace. Encouragement. Community. Identity. Good news.
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Frogs are one of those creatures that borders for me between cute animal that I want to hold versus little insect that gives me the willies. I don't see them very often, but I do have fond memories of them from when I was young and living in Germany. I can remember sitting in the grass at my soccer practices, and totally getting distracted by the little frogs hopping around. They were tiny, probably about the size of a nickel or a quarter. And so fun to watch and to hold, feeling them hop around in my cupped hands.
I would love for Isla to experience nature like this someday. And while our world is changing, with fear of population loss of various species, there are people fighting to save them and even making huge successes.
"Frog populations around the world have been falling victim to a deadly infection, but there may be a ray of hope for their future: For the first time Panama's La Loma tree frog has been bred in captivity.
The critically endangered La Loma tree frog (Hyloscirtus colymba) is notoriously difficult to care for in captivity, but scientists with the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project have successfully bred the species in their facility.
The rescue project has 28 adult La Loma tree frogs and the four tadpoles that have resulted from the program at the Summit Municipal Park outside of Panama City, Panama. Researchers have also successfully bred the endangered Limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus)
"We are some of the first researchers to attempt to breed these animals [in] captivity, and we have very little information about how to care for them," said Brian Gratwicke, a research biologist at the Smithsonian National Zoo. "We were warned that we might not be able to keep these frogs alive, but through a little bit of guesswork, attention to detail and collaboration with other husbandry experts, we've managed to breed them."" ouramazingplanet.com
With people dedicating their working lives to save these frogs, there is hope that one day this species and others that are endangered, will be able to be removed from the endangered list.
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I'm sure there aren't too many people that have escaped the effects of the economic downturn. It's been a challenging few years. Lost jobs. Home foreclosures. A dip in the stock market. A mess, no one can deny. You've probably seen signs of the squelched economy each time you pass the city-block-sized gaping hole in the ground, that three years ago was meant to be a new complex of stores. Or the empty sky-scrapers that were completed just as the economy tanked, and have remained empty because no business is looking to fork out money for rent. Or also the house that's been for sale for three years, with the price slipping down...down...down.
But there is a light at the end of this tunnel, at least for a few families here in Seattle: the prospect of owning a home. In 2007, a housing project of 22 homes was started in South Seattle, but stalled when the housing market failed. Twelve homes were completed, seven sold, but five remained empty along with ten other uncompleted houses and foundations. "Now the city of Seattle, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and local nonprofit Homestead Community Land Trust are converting the rest of the subdivision into affordable housing. The homes will be completed and sold to first-time buyers for as little as $190,000..."We're transforming a community liability of vacant houses and vacant lots into a community asset," said Sheldon Cooper, Homestead's executive director." The Seattle Times
It seems like so much good could come from this. Families will be able to own their home for the first time, which can instill a sense of pride and hope. Owning a home can provide financial stability and responsibility. And a vacant street will soon be filled with 22 families, which is a lot safer than a street of abandoned houses.
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