Hi All,
My cousin is a doctor and is volunteering at a children's ward at Bo Government Hospital, Sierra Leone.
I was wondering what seeds we could send them that might grow in there climate?
Thinking corn/maze, peas, beans and pumpkins??
It would be great if we can make up a seed parcel for them?
Cam
I'm in when you know what you need Cam :icon_cheers:.
Warm climate species. Maize, pumpkins, peppers (they love chili), anything which likes warmth. It's where my wife comes from.
Thanks guys :-D I have emailed him to as who might need some seeds and what would they need. :blob7:
Brassicas will grow well, and rather to my surprise, broad beans. Most veg would probably do well.
I'm all for helping out too... :sunny:
Quote from: cambourne7 on April 21, 2013, 16:41:48
Thanks guys :-D I have emailed him to as who might need some seeds and what would they need. :blob7:
Very boring suggestion, but is there a way we could get seeds from Sierra Leone seed sellers? I know it is not the same as a lovely parcel from here, but we would both make sure the seeds are suitable, as well as supporting a local industry.
Otherwise, good to have your suggestions Robert - I'm in.
As soon as i get the info on where the seeds are going i will write a letter to the various seed companies :) In the promise of some photos when they get there :)
I can send you some stuff Cam just give me a bit if notice if you can, maybe I can pick up some other warm weather stuff from the South XX Jeannine
Hate to throw a spanner in the works but I suggest you ask at the post office if you can send seeds there as there are some countries who won't accept seeds. I work in a post office but can't check for you as I'm off sick at the moment, due to have surgery in the morning otherwise I would ave checked for you all
Label the parcel 'botanical samples' or something.
Yep on list of things to do :)
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on April 29, 2013, 18:58:07
Label the parcel 'botanical samples' or something.
My friendly local post office tells me that I cannot send seeds to the USA and they might get confiscated. I keep saying 'I'll risk it'. Touch wood so far they have arrived just fine, even with customs form filled in '6 packets of garden seed'.
But I expect your parcel will be much bigger and needs more care taking.
Remember Africa is a hot continent so I reckon it would be better to have seeds acclimatized to Africa - i.e. get seeds from there not from here.. We dont do Maize in the UK like the African long white cobbed maize plant etc... Our UK seeds would take a hammering there as they are not made for hot!!
Just my opinion but also talking form experience as I had seeds sent to me in Zimbabwe from the UK and a lot were a waste of time!!
Just a point..there is a lot of postal theft in many of the African countries as I know personally, I don;t know about Sierra Leone but ut may be wirth checking it iut. XX Jeannine
Yep Jeannine - you are quite correct... postal theft is rife in Africa..
I found if I sent parcels it was a gamble if they made it, but if I sent a flat thickish envelope that siggested a book or collection of documents it always got through. I was sending to a school so I don't know if that helped but even when I sent a regular parcel to the school it usually didnt make it.
Maybe packing the seeds taped and wrapped to be very flat..no bumps it may be OK
XX Jeannine
Postal theft is a big problem. I used to send packages to Freetown taped up in all directions, so any interference would be obvious. They always got through, and most of them contained money.
Still waiting to hear about a good home for the seeds there and what they need hes just found a home for some medical equipment he brought with him (donated by his kickboxing club).