This project was implemented thanks to the cooperation of the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic, and the French ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Eric Fournier, was present at the launching of the manual.

In the presence of the French ambassador, Eric Fournier, the Fundación Abriendo Camino presented the manual Plantas Medicinales, aimed at the community of Villas Agrícolas and all those interested in the subject of popular medicine.

Fundación Abriendo Camino has been characterized by the design and implementation of innovative proposals for the protection and integral education of children, youth and families in vulnerable urban sectors. It includes Environmental Education in all its programs in a cross-cutting manner. Since 2014, it has been using its rooftop garden to raise environmental awareness among children, adolescents and their families.

The manual is the final product of a community project that was developed over the past year and consisted of several stages. It began with a survey on the habits of families in the sector regarding the consumption of medicinal plants. This was followed by several workshops for the families on the use of these plants, which were given by specialists from the Ministry of the Environment. At the end, plants were given to each participant to be planted in their homes. Afterwards, a compilation of the traditional recipes used in each family was made and a manual was prepared with the plants most used by the participants.

After the words of welcome were given by the organization’s board of directors, Mr. Eric Fournier emphasized that “the Foundation was a place of life, solidarity and friendliness and that it was obvious for the embassy to support this educational project”.

Mothers from the community who participated in the talks and who shared their recipes gave their testimonies about the process in which they participated as well as the children and adolescents who are members of the Foundation’s Green Brigade.

The activity was attended by Dr. Max Puig, executive secretary of the Climate Change Council, Mr. Renaud Anselin, sponsors of the Foundation, special guests, families and children who participated in the project.

Antonio Aquino, former student of the Foundation and violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra played, two pieces to the delight of those present.

Source: Acento