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Bóthar work very closely with a number of local organisations and project groups in the countries they work in around the world. Bóthar received the following report from on of its project farmers in Ecuador; there are many farmers who share the same experiences and problems as Marilu Gonzalez.

My name is Marilú González. I am 31, and I have eight children, the eldest daughter 14, and the last son two and a half. I live in the community of La Palmira, where I was born, although I grew up for 14 years in Zamora. I came back two years ago to live with my mother, because I separated from my husband.

Our organisation formed thanks to a schoolteacher who encouraged us to get organised. After a while we joined the Union of Grassroots Women of Loja (UPML) because we realized that, with the backing of large organisations, we could work better. There would be more support to ask for assistance from municipalities or other institutions. For example Heifer International and Bóthar has helped us with chickens, the chicken mesh to build our coops and improve the way we raise our local breed of chickens, with mesh for the school garden, wire to make our fences and protect water springs and our own gardens. We have not started working with goats yet, but only with the honey bees, although due to the drought some of them have left their hives. We have also asked for help for some families’ irrigation system, so that we can water our fields and grow food better.

The drought is a major problem in our zone, so it is important to protect our springs. Protection consists of fencing around the spring with wire so animals cannot get in to trample around the spring, and planting the area as well. When animals trample around a spring, the water seeps into the ground and no longer reaches the surface. Unfortunately, many of the plants we have put around the springs have not weathered the drought, but the little seedlings from the larger trees that were protected by the fence are growing well, because the animals cannot trample or eat them. This protection has helped keep the springs from drying up completely.

We also plan to set up a mill to grind wild forest fruits and corn as animal feed.

However, my most positive experience so far has been attending the training workshops, because I have learned more about animal raising, and the importance of not clearing the woodlands – we used to think nothing of going out and cutting down trees, but now we no longer do that, because realize that keeping the trees alive is for our own benefit. I have also learned to plant diversely, not just only crop. I like this a lot, because we don’t have much land, but we can get several crops even from a small plot, by using home-made compost and bio fertilizer. Also, before taking part in the training, I was very shy and stayed at home, thinking about life’s difficulties, but now I go out and talk with our neighbors, and I am not embarrassed to speak up a bit in public. That is why I am glad to be in the organisation, even though when we women leave our homes we get a lot of criticism. However, I want to work hard for my children, especially now that I am alone, so I can leave them something when I pass away.

The Tax Man Giveth to Bóthar! Did you know that if you give €250 in any one year to Bóthar (just €5 a week), we can recoup the tax you have paid on it? This means Bóthar will actually receive up to €431 - and all you have to do is sign your name! Freephone Bóthar at 1800-268 463 for further information.

Bóthar and your SSIA. If you have an SSIA maturing shortly, you will benefit from a generous Government top-up on your 60 months of hard-earned savings. What about putting the equivalent of just one month's maximum contributions (€250) towards our work? Again, that obliging Tax Man will happily refund the tax to Bóthar at the end of the year...