Hekima Waldorf School, Tanzania

Hekima Waldorf School began in 1997.  In 2011 the school was able to purchase 14 acres of land - not the land itself but the plants on the land as I am told that land cannot be bought.
Stephan took me around the school sharing his story and the story and plans of the school.  At present 7 classes are housed in what was built to be the Kindergarten in a well designed and beautiful building while the Kindergarten use what is to be the kitchen. The school is registered as well as the building project which will eventually with finance permitting carry a Primary School building, a boarding School, a secondary school as well as administration buildings and there is a large piece of land for a farm. There are 162 children at the school at present with a baby-group, a play-group, a kindergarten and grade 1 to grade 7.
Stephen felt, when he was a scholar, that the schooling system was lacking in many ways and wanted to find a way to improve education in his country upon leaving school.  He researched different education systems and came across Waldorf education. He went into a state training to be educated as a teacher. One day he saw a bus drive past with Hekima Waldorf School displayed on the bus and remembered that that was the education system that had attracted his attention. Shortly after this a "father" in his life arrived with a newspaper advertising a teachers post at HEKIMA WALDORF. He was interviewed and got the post. He met his wife Sarah at Hekima where she has been teaching as a kindergarten teacher for the past 16 years. Stephan is now in his third cycle though twice he took the class from class 4 to 7 and this class he has had from class 1 and they reach class 6 in the next term.
He is passionate about Waldorf education.

KATO ABEL and his essential oils

Patrick took us to the plantation of Nambigirwa Herbal Farm. Meeting the farmer, Kato Abel, was a real honour and delight. He grows herbs, and I assure you that almost every herb was growing in a large plantation.
With these herbs he distills oil.  PURE ESSENTIAL OIL - NOTHING ADDED.  His oils are called CRANE ESSENTIAL OILS.
When these oils are placed on paper and dry there is not a trace of substance left on the paper except the most pure fragrance.
Yet how is he to market his oils as there is no knowledge in Uganda of what his product entails.
He carries a deep knowledge of herbal medicine and produces several liquid tonics which he sells locally.  These help all manner of maladies.
I do hope we can organise a market for him - perhaps South Africa could import. I will bring back a few samples.

Patrick and KASUKU (Parrot) ORGANICS

It was wonderful to re-connect with Patrick who stayed in my home in 2006 while at Kolisko Conference.  He took us out to his project.  It was a joy to leave the noise, traffic and crowds of people and go out into the rural country-side. Patrick knows his plants and trees with a deep wisdom. He took us through his gardens speaking about the medicinal and old wisdom of the different plants and trees. his research and findings of the effect on Cancer and HIV and other ailments were encouraging as he had been experiencing positive results in his treatments. Patrick is involved in an Educational programme where skills are being taught to youth and adults. While we were there, a large group of farmers were in class looking at and sharing their experiences with rabbit rearing.
On the farm were chickens, pigs, cows and other livestock.  Composting was a key ingredient. Patrick carries a deep interest in Anthroposophy and Biodynamic Agriculture and also has a  Kindergarten and Primary Waldorf School. He often quoted Rudolf Steiner. His great wish is to adhere to the culture of Uganda. He spoke of the negative influence of Television on his people where the culture of the land and his people was lost.  His work is to maintain a moral cultural return and hold the "I" in all its integrity.
We were greatly moved by all he brought and shared with us.
Here are a few pics but most was on video.

MBAGATHI Rudolf Steiner School

I have discovered that one of my blogs did not publish and would like to include it although this was a while ago.  The pics already published were done over a weekend when the children who are boarders were out at play.  I would like to show you a day at school. This is the Rudolf Steiner School in Mbagathi, Nairobi district, where we were so warmly hosted and gratitude to Judith Brown and all her colleagues for their support and care. We so loved your school.
THIS SCHOOL NEEDS SPONSORSHIP FOR CHILDREN FROM POOR FAMILIES AND ORPHANS WHO THEY BOARD -HOUSE, EDUCATE AND FEED.

 kind support.

UGANDA - the special moments

There were the downs but also the ups in our Uganda adventure.  The devastating loss of all Bernadettes photographic equipment, the hours lost in incompetent police offices - huts!!! did not stop her from borrowing a poor quality camera and continuing the work. Although Bernadette sees the photos to be of no good quality, I put them here as they are still amazing pics of Uganda and the special moments shared.
It is a great loss to the project to lose Bernadette. Her expertise, social care, clarity and insights, her warmth and joy, her companionship and love - all sorely missed.  THANKS FOR ALL YOUR BROUGHT AND SHARED