Wimler Partnership for Social Progress, Inc.

It was in November 2008 when WIMLER distributed the first 8 piglets to selected beneficiaries. We agreed to meet at 4 pm but we came late to the agreed place. I traveled in the morning with a group to Dugong, Mlang to visit another project. The weather was not cooperating. It rained heavily in Kidapawan City that day. That very day, I learned as well that 3 high school students from Kidapawan City were swept away by the flash flood. It was a gloomy day brightened only after we have seen the projects in Dugong Elementary School.  We have a scholarship program in this village. About 56 pupils are supported by Damayan, a Filipino organisation based in the Netherlands. The scholars are also members of the EcoKids Club. As their project, the school initiated a school vegetable garden, nay, an integrated farm.

I have a write up of this project which you can view at http://sunchildsjournal.blogspot.com/2009/01/literacy-and-ecokids-club-projects-in.html

I was concerned that the beneficiaries were already waiting for us. The trip back to Bansalan seemed to be eternity. We also stopped a couple of times because the fruit stalls along Makilala road were very enticing. We bought bananas, marang, boiled sweet corn. It added to our load of vegetables which the school gave us as presents. In return, we offered some money to the teachers as contribution to their school feeding program.

When we arrived at the designated place, we were told that some beneficiaries went home but promised to come back in an hour. I was word that it was getting dark and it will not be anymore an ideal time for picture taking.

True enough, the prospected beneficiaries came one by one and so we can start reading to them the agreement. We asked the beneficiaries if they have questions and if they  had some suggestions to improve the agreement. For them the agreement with Wimler is very generous and they are eager to take care of the piglets. A few expressed interest to take two and we agreed after assessing their capacities.

To ensure that the piglets are handed over to them in good health, Wimler agreed to have the piglets vaccinated first and this was warmly welcomed by the beneficiaries. And so the piglets were given new homes!

Early February, I had a chance to visit Bansalan again. I was excited to visit some of the piglets to find out how they are. I was so surprised that they have grown so much and that the sow is pregnant again! It was not yet long ago I think that the piglets were weaned.

As I have not  experience raising a piglet in my life before,  I obviously needed some education. I learned that sow pregnancy takes only 114 days. An easy to remember this number is to say that sow will give birth in 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. What a generous animal to give so many piglets within a short period of time. Well, in a  couple of months, we will have another set of piglets ready for distribution.  Wimler already made arrangement with the owner of the sow that we will buy again the piglets for distribution.

I wish the sow a safe pregnancy!