I love this time of year in ADRA's food security program. The gardeners harvest the result of their hard work over summer and everyone eats until they can eat no more, then has a party. I recently caught the train down to Dornagobi to spend time at harvest celebrations with two ADRA cooperatives.
This is the first lot of pickles from a small food processing factory we established in Sainshand.
This cooperative has only been gardening for two years. This year the provincial government awarded them "Best Cooperative". They were carrying the award around with them everywhere during my visit.
This little one was trying to get his hands on a 15kg watermelon!
The next generation of gardeners maybe? Or kids looking for photos of their friends and parents.
Competitive cooking demonstrations.
The harvest festival here ended with a brilliant sunset, a dance party in the local hall, and me sharing special Gobi tea with the governor (with big bits of goat fat floating in it, yum). Then under the stars we caught the overnight train back to Ulaanbaataar.
