Eva is an exceptional woman. She cares for her father, who has difficulty walking due to his disability. She resides in the community of Nance Dulce in the north of Chinandega. She is 40 years old, and while she has no children, she is always working hard to bring food to her family’s table. In addition to taking care of her father and managing her home, Eva alone takes care of a herd of cattle made up of 18 animals.
In 2022, Eva received crucial support that transformed her life. Amigos for Christ provided her with vegetable seeds and essential materials to be able to plant and maintain a garden in her backyard. In addition to these material resources, she also received training to better manage her garden and put into practice organic materials for pest control, diseases and fertilization. She also received a small “chicken tomato” plant, a species of wild tomato, which she grew and cared for in hopes of a bountiful harvest.
At first, Eva faced technical challenges when establishing her seedbed, but her determination and effort led her to gain valuable experience. It wasn’t long before she was able to manage her garden effectively, harvesting wild tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers, which she used both for her family’s consumption and to sell to nearby families in her community. From the chicken tomato alone, Eva was able to harvest and sell 8 pounds of produce at a price of 20 cordobas per pound.
She saved all her profits with the intention of reinvesting the money in materials and supplies for her garden. With the profits from her first harvest, Eva purchased a metal mesh that she used to fence–in her garden and protect it from animals that could damage the crops. She was also able to purchase a water pump and irrigation accessories to carry water from her well to the garden.
When her plants completed their production cycle, Eva started a new seedbed to reestablish her garden. This time, with all the experience she had acquired, she did it exceptionally. She kept the largest cucumbers she harvested to obtain new seeds and sow them. She also resowed the chicken tomato seeds in plastic trays, creating seedlings both for her own garden and to share with her neighbors.
Eva is a hard-working woman, full of enthusiasm for growing and harvesting her own vegetables. Despite her limited formal education, her tenacity, discipline and effort have allowed her to get ahead. Her story is an inspiring example of resilience and innovation for a better life.
