Terra PLC Damask Rose Farm

We had the honour of meeting Fekade Lakew. His beautiful son Eskinder picked us up at the hotel in Addis Ababa and drove us to Debre Birham. After a wonderful talk during a coffee ceremony, and a good lunch we began the interview, followed by a tour through the farm. Bernadette got this all on camera.  I was astounded to find a farm so true to Biodynamic principles strictly adhered to even though the cost of some of the materials needed which had to be imported for the preparations must be high - e.g. oak bark (he now grows his own Oak trees but they will take many years to be ready), peat to store his preparations, the necessary bladder of the buck etc. It was amazing to enter his Preparation room and find ALL the  BD preparations ready and carefully stored for use. We had passed the herb garden earlier and seen the yarrow, dandelion, chamomile etc. growing together with many other plants. The compost - so rich - and the beautiful cows which contributed to this rich compost - fine and sweet smelling. AND THEN on to the ROSES. Although the harvest was over and the rose bushes cut down to hibernate for the rainy season, we were still blessed with the odd rose - the fragrance of this rose was heavenly and the colour, the most beautiful rose magenta. The distilling room was marvellous and then on to the trial distilling room for the oils of all the different herbs grown.  Bottle after bottle - peppermint, Thyme, Origano, Lavender, Eucalyptus, and many more.
He is not sure how to market his products but needs the extra finance and I can assure you all, that considering the healthy nature of this farm, it would be worth importing. Butterflies, bees, and so many varieties of birds made a joyous sound and vision as we walked through the farm.
And Fekade and Eskinder?  Truly wonderful people!
Two days on this farm and in there company is not enough!

Bahir Dar

This morning I met Katie Christie, a midwife originally from Cape Town - I think some of you know her.  She is working in Tanzania, Ethiopia especially in Miley, Afar Desert, where she trains midwives. She spoke of the mortality in child birth and a bit about her work. She had also spent time on the Mercy Ship. Tonight we will interview her.
We then headed out by boat to one of the islands to see one of the monastries on Lake Tana, the third largest lake in Africa. On route we entered the Blue Nile and saw A HIPPOPOTAMUS, close to our boat. The birdlife was also so amazing with many varieties of birds. I loved the Great White Pelicans with their large beaks.
We passed families on the embankment, ladies doing their washing and fishermen and children out on their papyrus canoes.
The walk up to the monastery was one of beauty seeing the wares of Ethiopia and wishing one had money to buy not only to have the beautiful wares but also to support the people of the land. "yelagnim" (no money) became our cry after the warm greetings. Men weaving cloth on make do frames and a man mixing pigment from plants for his beautiful paintings
The monastery was incredible built in 14th century and covered with the most beautiful paintings of the life of Jesus Christ. An inner structure adorned with these paintings, surrounded by an outer passage with large high archways leading into the inner wall structure and right within that behind locked doors, only for monks and nuns, an inner chamber.
The museum held ancient manuscripts and illuminations, Kings crowns, garments and large paintings besides the variety of metal crosses and other regalia for worship and blessings. It was a most worthwhile journey.

Visit to the home of a farmer

We were invited to the home and farm of a young man, Zenebe Minale, who I met while visiting the Museum. He had put together a 22 page proposal to develop his land into what he referred to as a modern farm and he shared his dream with me - to develop a farm inclusive of livestock and agriculture. He was born a rural farmer and his father had taught him in the organic natural way to grow the seasonal crops - barley, wheat, lentils, chic peas. He had been a Cow boy as a child and loved the animals. He saw how important it was to have a farm that included the fertilisation of the earth by the manure of the cow, to have chickens and sheep and bees. he wanted too to grow mango, avocado, paw paw, banana, lemons, as well as onion, potato and garlic and flowers for the bees to produce honey.  And of course the Eucalyptus tree. His wish is for this farm to be a model farm where young people can learn how to farm and heal the earth.
We climbed the 7 kilometre hike to the top of the mountain, Ashetemmarium.-  up into the clouds - only attainable by footpath and up on the plateau walked through the eucalyptus forests to his home. Here the Eucalyptus tree was being planted for its many uses. Building material, branches to keep the home fires burning and the leaves to be boiled for steam bath healing as a medicine.
While Bernadette filmed the interview sensitively, he told us again of his wishes, though it was difficult for him in front of a camera.
We had the honour of meeting his ageing, yet nimble as a goat, father and his brother and family.
Father had been down the mountain to Lalibela that morning and passed us on the way up. On our return down the mountain he accompanied us part of the way then continued down ahead as he had the ability to fly down "like an Angel" Zenebe, his son, said to us. He would return up to the farm in a few hours again.