SEKEM - An Inspiration

Words cannot describe the magnitude of Sekem.  The Vision of Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, now a living reality - true Anthroposophy in Action.
I have been guided through SEKEM in a most hospitable and caring way, visiting the schools, the training centres, the factories, the clinic, the farm, and meeting the people - all with friendly and warm greeting. One feels, even in its diversity, a community of integrity and goodwill.
Everyone is busy - DOING and all that is been done is for the GOOD.
I can write reams on each of the places within SEKEM that I have visited but that would not give you the full picture.  My advice to you is that you need to see for yourself how sustainable, healthy community life can be. Here is true inspiration.

                                                    A GLIMPSE OF THE FARM LIFE

                                                                     Compost Mounds

                                     
                                                                  QUINOA FIELD

 
                                                      HERB FACTORY

 
                                                                            Fire Pace

EGYPT AND THE PYRAMIDS

A day to visit the pyramids!  To ride out into the desert on a camel, away from tourists and return to the pyramids and Sphinx seemed the best way. I felt totally at home on the camel and loved the experience and the pyramids were a beautiful sight.  I loved the Egyptians too.

TUNISIA

A very warm and friendly welcome to Tunis. Having travelled all night, I was looking forward to a little rest BUT NOT TO BE. I was taken to the Centre of Macrobiotics by Dr, Ali Khouja where an organic farmer was setting up his stand, ushered through the centre - the MISO production was impressive - live culture and looking MOST wholesome, the massage and hydro-therapy room, the office containing the 120 lectures, beautifully catalogued, the Medical training classroom, the whole food organic shop, the Waldorf (attempt to begin) kindergarten, consulting room and into the room which is in process of becoming a restaurant where immediately introductions and mission in Tunisia began. Interpreter was a homeopath and Dr. Ali a G.P. turned Naturapath.
That evening I was on a bus over-night to the south of Tunisia where I was met by Ben Abdullah Kilani,  He is a date farmer and works with biodynamic methods and way of life - he has been certified Demeter but due to lack of funds and expensive equipment to process the syrup etc. has been unable to meet the last two years of payment and has lost his Demeter stamp but he says "I continue to be Biodynamic" - it his his philosophy and way of life.
It was special to witness him and his wife harvesting the dates, working together as a team, and also to meet his 7 daughters and last born son.
The third night in a row, travelling over-night, returning to Tunis and a welcome bed that 4th night sleeping horizontal, before heading for the airport early in the morning.
Gratitude to Dr. Ali for all his care and transportation.

Senegal

What a wonderful relief to arrive in Dakar. CLEAN, CIVILISED and BEAUTIFUL,
Dakar is surrounded by the sea like an island. The people are welcoming and friendly.
We have met people working in agriculture, youth work, entrepreneur, health and education.  Again we meet an enthusiasm towards the IPMT,
Our journey into the country-side, THIES, has brought us into contact with organisations who help thousands of farmers.  Some that work in Organic farming, some that see the need to go organic and are concerned about the contamination in the underground water, and an organisation that promotes BIODYNAMIC farming. So again enthusiastic and good meetings were had. AOUM, FENAB, Agrecol and others all doing good work.
We visited an organic farm yesterday where Neem trees grown provide natural insecticide, solar power is used and careful irrigation systems to preserve water but give enough water for the plant to prosper.
Today we visited a factory where Baobab, Neem, sesame and other plant oils are produced. Many leads were given of traditional medicines and their production and even a hospital (hoping to visit) which is traditional.
A visit to a village has been a highlight where we were introduced to an old blind man who began growing trees in the sandy region of his farm at the age of 60. He was told he was crazy as he would never reap the benefit and trees don't grow here.  Well he now boasts 7 acres of beautiful trees over 150 species all producing fruit and medicines. His knowledge of the medicinal qualities was immense.  He said if I spent the whole day with him he could tell me about every one of his trees and his wish to impart his knowledge is urgent. He wants it written down. What a pity that I did not have an extra day in Thies. But this could be a future mission. He has been TOTALLY ORGANIC and because of his successful growth, this has influenced the local farmers who all became organic. He explained the way he prepares his compost - how he brings the balance of salt, calcium and the other and it as if he knows Biodynamics naturally.  He works and prepares as an Alchemy and with a deep knowledge.  He spoke like Goethe when he described meeting the Being of each tree to understand its nature.  I can learn a great deal from this man.  Thank you to Ibrahim Seck from FENAB for bringing me here.