JW, they actually own the land. I believe that large plantations and haciendas owned by the Spaniards were given to the people who were enslaved and forced to work the land once they won their independence. But, in their minds, they are and always will be poor caneros, those who grow cane, it's all they know. The land has been sucked dry of nutrients after hundreds of years of growing just cane so we add black earth, but again, they just grow cane and take whatever is given to them.
The zuchinni is really growing, the corn, watermelons, cantelopes, everything I have planted is springing up and they are amazed. We fed the workers watermelon several times and I had them save the seeds. Still, a few fell on the ground in front of the house and they too are growing.
They are good people, they just need a little guidance. Still, I am going to need church sponsorship if I'm going to plow and fertilize the large pasture near the river. Our survey showed we own a lot more land than we knew, across the river and road, but it will have to be cleared of trees and the stumps dug up, this will cost bigtime for renting a backhoe, then the tractor. Or, I'll have to wait and sell off a portion of this crop which I don't want to do. I asked on Facebook if anyone's church might sponsor this ministry, that I would bring a slideshow and give a presentation and got no replies. I wrote Lakewood, the mega church in Houston, they have "Operation Hope" which is a worldwide feed the poor organization and again got no answer.
The food was a real hit, we invited two kids and 12 arrived. I'll add a few pictures tomorrow. I can't imagine being 12 years old and never have tasted burgers and fries. Then, Gloria and I took turns riding them all on the four wheeler.