Guyana South America: Block 22, Wismar Linden, is a squatter settlement with shelters of cardboard and plastic formed on land condemned by the Government. Many single women with children were in a very difficult situation: poor nutrition, leaving children out of school, high unemployment, living of odd jobs, some in sex work. The Christian Development Organisation carried out a needs assessment with these women which resulted in them helping the women plant plantain and bananas – simple techniques, with a quick replication. The bananas and suckers created food and income from selling shoots and other y-products. The community activity has expanded:
1. The community of women farmers continue to farm and has expanded into small scale processing.
2. They have expanded to plant cash crops such as peppers ,pakchoi etc.
3. Houses are expanding , some are being painted due to the increase of earnings.
4. They have cleaned the creek in the community allowing for free flow of water, reduction of mosquitoes.
5. Children are going out to school in larger numbers.
6. The government has placed potable water in the community
7. A church is now being built there
8. Block is now being serviced mostly by the post man
