News about the Helping Hand Project

9.Februar 2004

Dear Pilar, Alfred, Daisy, Dieter and Haranang Pilipino Members,

Greeting you a Happy New Year and HAPPY VALENTINES 2 ALL!!!

Its my wish and prayer that you are all in the midst of Health as me and my family are doing. Sorry for my long awaited message since I sent my last mail last December before we went to Lias last December 29.

Warm regards from the Lias people, they are very happy to have the 2 packages that you sent them thru Romeo Cofin. They distributed the clothes to all the members, big smiles in their faces as they wear the beautiful clothes. My family and I and cousins are also happy for the nice clothes that you sent us. Thanks a lot for your love and concern, we appreciate so much.

We went home to Lias last December 29, 2003. Conducted the meeting on January 1, 2004 to the Lias Fruit Growers Association and more than 30 members and officers were present during the meeting from 5PM to 8PM. Topics discussed includes:

1. policy of using grass cutter
2. status of the coffee arabica seedlings that were planted.
3. The status of the coffee Nursery and the Package distribution.

I brought the Coffee seeds (3kgs) to Lias last January 21, 04 and together with the farmers sowed the seeds in the Nursery. The seedlings are expected to be planted in the farmers' farm seedling beds coming April. Just on time when you will come in April.

Farmers are also interested to integrate CITRUS in their coffee farms, hopefully, you can also include this component in the project. If possible one farmer could plant 50 seedlings each for about 35 farmers.

Thank you also for the Biancas support, received the bank remitance amounting to 9,000 pesos plus. Planing to buy AMPALAYA PLUS-for diabetes when I go home 3rd week of February.
Hopefully Dieter will succeed for the Marketing of Coffee Arabica, it will be a great help for the farmers in LIAS. My brother is still taking his 5th and 6th Chemoterapy doses and praise God he is recovering. Thank you for your prayers.

I'm travelling to Banaue tomorrow to rehab the coffee and citrus Nusery project of our Office.

Thanks a lot and Best regards to everyone.

Pedro

Helping Hand Partner