I actually enjoyed the trip to ECHO. I was actually pretty sick this day and when I got home I spent the next 24 hours sleeping (I don't blame the trip).
What stood out most to me was the above sign. "Use what you have to make what you need". I sometimes feel that organizations go in and try to solve societies problems by means that aren't maintainable.
ECHO seems to respect most cultures and tries to use tools that are appropriate for the countries and cultures involved.
As for the connection to "american agriculture", its like comparing apples to kumquats. The majority of ECHO's practices are to help villages, meanwhile the majority of American agriculture is done by a minority of people.
There were some interesting examples of roof top gardens, but over all it wouldn't fit with the american system. I don't feel qualified to make a definitive statement that the practices aren't for the "developing world"... they might be based on culture and tradition of societies... all I can say is they don't appear to be for America as it currently stands.
I think the cause is worthwhile and the organization seems well run. A desire to work with them for service learning would be entirely dependent on the capacity. I wouldn't be interested in working in the fields... petting the bunnies and talking to the goats yes, digging in the dirt, not so much.
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