At last my land of birth and not far from my place of birth lies KUFUNDA VILLAGE - surely the place I will hold most dear and definitely return to as soon as I can. ( Though Madagascar still a living wish to return to )
I arrived and was shown to my hut within the Village by Tsitsi. It was beautiful, surrounded by trees and great rocks, flowers and beautiful people. The village in this rural setting is a community living a healthy life, all actively involved in the village, each with space around them to have privacy. I could not stop photographing this village with its aesthetically designed huts and the beautiful flowers... sadly all lost when my mobile crashed to the ground.
In the village is a Waldorf School KUFUNDA SUNSHINE SCHOOL which began together with a Waldorf school in Harare. The partnership of these two schools had been close but this has had to change due to financial constraints. I was at the closure of the Harare school together with all the children of Kufunda Sunshine and it was lovely to see how the children of the two schools bonded BUT a very sad day for all to say goodbye to teacher G - Gilbert and his wife who had been at Dassenberg Waldorf in earlier years, and also these children not sure of their future schooling.
But more of Kufunda - Admire, the permaculture farmer took me around Kufunda showing me all the projects and water saving features, example a trench dug, which in heavy rainy season would contain fish and in dry season have seeped into the earth to stop the rain water from flowing away.The land prepared in permaculture mounds for the same reason, as well as the organic fields of Sorghum, Millet, Sweet potatoes, Sunflowers and many vegetables and herbs. To the cattle trucks that prepared the earth, when the cattle were brought in at night and the compost heaps carefully mulched and layered. Admire was so pleased to be able to show that through his own research and experimentation, the bountiful healthy crops were the visible proof of the benefit in organic farming, and he was so happy that through his experience and learning he could now take his knowledge to other communities and help them establish a healthy soil and produce.
I found class 3, busy with preparing a beautiful garden, together with class 5- their botany lesson. The two classes were working together, as there was only one teacher available, a volunteer from England.
The compost toilets scattered throughout the village were small, one metre square, so little cement used and when 3/4 full would be where the next tree was planted. All the woodwork and buildings on the property, mostly built with ant heap clay and gravel, is done by the villagers and each villager has a special skill and task to do.
THE HERBALIST PROUDLY SHOWED ME THE FOOD PROCESSING ROOM WHERE HERBS ARE DRIED FOR TEAS IN MEDICINAL COMBINATIONS, SALVES ARE MADE AS WELL AS DRIED SOUPS, HERB SALTS, AND FRUIT PRESERVED. ALL FROM THEIR OWN ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE.
Solar panels for electricity, Recycling bins, and so much care.
A great kitchen and eating hall where the community can eat together.
While I was there a workshop was in process - "Woman are Medicine " while another "Men are Magic" which happens at other times. Soon these two groups will come together and share a conference together.
So much being done and all due to the vision of Maaianne, half Shona and half Danish, who has created this village. SO INSPIRING AND SO MUCH GOODWILL.
And I have been given the honour to be an Elder of this Village.
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Zambia
I arrived in Lusaka - many names in my pocket of Organic and permaculture farmers and organisations. None of the numbers went through, no replies to my emails but evidently much work being done. I decided to head south but as I was leaving the apologies came in - Sorry to miss you - ME TOO.
In Livingstone birthplace of my father, I met a wonderful Pastor - Pastor McDonald - a Zambian man who has been given a large piece of land by the Chief in which he hopes to create a sustainable organic farm/ village, with school and community. He has wonderful ideas and I wish him every success. This village could be home for 5000 all going well. At present the maize growing is totally organic and feeds the people of the land - no selling of the harvest but simply food. A BIG project but clearly envisioned.
After a wonderful experience of Victoria falls, highest waters in years, and even a helicopter flight to view them, I continued to Bulawayo by bus and then on to Harare by train - a real let down in filth and length of journey. Luckily Bridget with whom I was to meet invited me to sleep at Pats home in Harare. Although now in Zimbabwe, Bridget was one of those names in my pocket with whom I wished to meet in Zambia. She, visiting Zimbabwe, was a pleasure to meet. She is the one who goes out to Organic farms and grants them certification if up to standard. Both Pat, her aunt, and she are experienced Organic Permaculture farmers and we had some interesting conversations.
Sorry no pics as ANOTHER camera stolen. WHHHAAAA! SO FRUSTRATING!!!!
In Livingstone birthplace of my father, I met a wonderful Pastor - Pastor McDonald - a Zambian man who has been given a large piece of land by the Chief in which he hopes to create a sustainable organic farm/ village, with school and community. He has wonderful ideas and I wish him every success. This village could be home for 5000 all going well. At present the maize growing is totally organic and feeds the people of the land - no selling of the harvest but simply food. A BIG project but clearly envisioned.
After a wonderful experience of Victoria falls, highest waters in years, and even a helicopter flight to view them, I continued to Bulawayo by bus and then on to Harare by train - a real let down in filth and length of journey. Luckily Bridget with whom I was to meet invited me to sleep at Pats home in Harare. Although now in Zimbabwe, Bridget was one of those names in my pocket with whom I wished to meet in Zambia. She, visiting Zimbabwe, was a pleasure to meet. She is the one who goes out to Organic farms and grants them certification if up to standard. Both Pat, her aunt, and she are experienced Organic Permaculture farmers and we had some interesting conversations.
Sorry no pics as ANOTHER camera stolen. WHHHAAAA! SO FRUSTRATING!!!!
Thursday, 30 March 2017
RWANDA
Rwanda is a fast becoming GREEN country. I have found many organisations promoting Organic farming also with a "having heard of" knowledge of Biodynamics.
I met Richard Munyerango who for many years has been promoting Organic farming and who has trained over 700,000 farmers in the past 17 years.
He began a project "One cow for each household" A family especially those widowed women and women whose husbands had been imprisoned after the genocide, would be given a cow (pregnant) and when the cow delivered a calf, the calf would be given to the next family in line, and so on, thus providing milk and manure for the compost in an affordable way. In this way the UK,s SEND COW, an expensive import of cow into the country rather became feed a local cow with a financial donation
I went out to the GAKO farm Training Centre and was hugely impressed by the gardens. An enormous piece of land with every part used for fruit, vegetable, medicinal plants and livestock.
The cows manure and urine creating the biogas which was used for cooking, research into improving organic fertilisers using organic micro-organisms and enriching the soil and plants. And on the premises a School from Kindergarten to high school headed by Richards wife.
I also met Jean Marie Irakabaho, managing director of POSADA - Promoting Organic Sustainable Agriculture Development in Africa, and his wife Lisa-Chantal Dusabe who trains farmers in a Organic Agriculture Curriculum - Organic Leadership Course. They are also involved in a SAFE WATER PROJECT.
I have been impressed by the clean and beautifully green city of Kigali. The people have been hospitable and welcoming and always ready to help in whatever way they can.
I even attended a Mass in the beautiful Cathedral where the singing of the choir was celestial - such lovely voices throughout the service. Most of the Mass was in song.
And best of all - I never saw a plastic bag in Rwanda!!!!
WAY TO GO
Photos to follow
THE COMPOST
THE SCHOOL
BIOGAS
I met Richard Munyerango who for many years has been promoting Organic farming and who has trained over 700,000 farmers in the past 17 years.
He began a project "One cow for each household" A family especially those widowed women and women whose husbands had been imprisoned after the genocide, would be given a cow (pregnant) and when the cow delivered a calf, the calf would be given to the next family in line, and so on, thus providing milk and manure for the compost in an affordable way. In this way the UK,s SEND COW, an expensive import of cow into the country rather became feed a local cow with a financial donation
I went out to the GAKO farm Training Centre and was hugely impressed by the gardens. An enormous piece of land with every part used for fruit, vegetable, medicinal plants and livestock.
The cows manure and urine creating the biogas which was used for cooking, research into improving organic fertilisers using organic micro-organisms and enriching the soil and plants. And on the premises a School from Kindergarten to high school headed by Richards wife.
I also met Jean Marie Irakabaho, managing director of POSADA - Promoting Organic Sustainable Agriculture Development in Africa, and his wife Lisa-Chantal Dusabe who trains farmers in a Organic Agriculture Curriculum - Organic Leadership Course. They are also involved in a SAFE WATER PROJECT.
I have been impressed by the clean and beautifully green city of Kigali. The people have been hospitable and welcoming and always ready to help in whatever way they can.
I even attended a Mass in the beautiful Cathedral where the singing of the choir was celestial - such lovely voices throughout the service. Most of the Mass was in song.
And best of all - I never saw a plastic bag in Rwanda!!!!
WAY TO GO
Photos to follow
THE COMPOST
THE SCHOOL
BIOGAS
Monday, 20 March 2017
Madagascar
A day in Antananarivo where many meetings took place. Firstly Kathy Lucking from Canada, who had met me the day before, having walked for hours to make this meeting, took me to an organisation which promotes Organic AND BIODYNAMIC Agriculture where I met Razafimahatratra Rajorosaono, who grows trees e.g. Rosewood and "flamboyante" , then on to meet two young doctors, Ranaivozanany Faliana and Randriamiary Andry Faniry, who have almost completed their Medical Training. Thereafter we met a Madagascar woman, Vololoniainar Rakotoarivelo, an engineer who works with renewable energy and plays an important role in the school I was about to visit.
We travelled out to this school that Kathy has been supporting for the past ten years. This is a school out in the rural countryside up into a mountainous and very beautiful part of Madagascar which is striving to become Waldorf. The children walk for about 6 kilometres, over an hour, to school each morning and then home again later.
As we travelled along a somewhat bumpy road past rice paddies and other fields of vegetables, the children walking home from school waved with big smiles in welcome.
I must not forget my meeting with a young man, Felix, from Germany who had just ridden a bicycle from north to south through Madagascar, about 21,000 kilometres.
All this within 24 hours of my arrival.
The view of one of the 18 villages who send their children to TENAQUIP SCHOOL
MAKING HOUSE
Another view of vegetable garden
The long walk home - up to 6 kilometres one hour to school and home again
MY STAR WILL ALWAYS SHINE FOR ME COME WHAT MAY IT WILL ALWAYS STAY AND GUIDE MY WAY LITTLE STARS TWINKLE LITTLE STARS SHINE BUT THE BRIGHTEST STAR IS THE STAR OF MINE - HOW THEY SHINE !!!!
The rice paddies
My arrival at TENAQUIP SCHOOL striving to become WALDORF
A view of a small part of the vegetable garden
We travelled out to this school that Kathy has been supporting for the past ten years. This is a school out in the rural countryside up into a mountainous and very beautiful part of Madagascar which is striving to become Waldorf. The children walk for about 6 kilometres, over an hour, to school each morning and then home again later.
As we travelled along a somewhat bumpy road past rice paddies and other fields of vegetables, the children walking home from school waved with big smiles in welcome.
I must not forget my meeting with a young man, Felix, from Germany who had just ridden a bicycle from north to south through Madagascar, about 21,000 kilometres.
All this within 24 hours of my arrival.
t
The view of one of the 18 villages who send their children to TENAQUIP SCHOOL
MAKING HOUSE
Another view of vegetable garden
The long walk home - up to 6 kilometres one hour to school and home again
The rice paddies
My arrival at TENAQUIP SCHOOL striving to become WALDORF
A view of a small part of the vegetable garden
Monday, 6 March 2017
And the journey continues
To those who have followed my BLOG - thank you. Your support has helped me along the way.
Now I head off to Madagascar, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and hopefully the Pan African Teachers Conference in Johannesburg on route.
If you have any contacts in any of these countries that I could call upon PLEASE LET ME KNOW
0027 76 904 7632 I leave Cape Town on 18th March
In the meantime the registrations for IPMT AFRICA 2017 are pouring in from all over Africa.
WE are attempting to raise funds for this so that we can host all these delegates. If you are able to sponsor or help in any way please contact me at juliaoleary021@gmail.com
Now I head off to Madagascar, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and hopefully the Pan African Teachers Conference in Johannesburg on route.
If you have any contacts in any of these countries that I could call upon PLEASE LET ME KNOW
0027 76 904 7632 I leave Cape Town on 18th March
In the meantime the registrations for IPMT AFRICA 2017 are pouring in from all over Africa.
WE are attempting to raise funds for this so that we can host all these delegates. If you are able to sponsor or help in any way please contact me at juliaoleary021@gmail.com
The Phoenix Waldorf School Hawzien Finks Foundation Ethiopia
This is a school I referred to in one of the first blogs after meeting Dr. Atsbaha Gebre-Selassie.
As I was to fly home from Ethiopia, I took the opportunity to go to Hawzien and I am so glad I did. Maybe Hawzien was a high light in the whole journey or maybe it was that I had to experience a special ending and blessing on this journey to date.
Hawzien was bombed and turned into rubble and in this rubble a school arose - The Phoenix - Finks Foundation. Dr. Gebre- Selassie had been involved in Waldorf /Steiner Education in Germany and now began this school. Everything about this school was beautiful. Cows grazed on the meadow, children played in the sandpit, and the gardens were scattered with medicinal plants and herbs, fruit trees and other greenery. The entrance to the school, beautifully painted in delicate colours and architecturally formed to invite you to enter. The classrooms spacious, well designed even though there were 40 to 50 children in a class.
I was so well looked after by Tsigab - who seemed to be the head of the school and Asqual who performed "Coffee ceremony " for me every morning and every afternoon.
My visit to the St. George (stone carved into the mountain 4th century) Church, the flat stone bells that were rung to call the priests which in sounding them I discovered were the tones of the TAO in Eurythmy, the opening of the veil curtain for me to reveal the tabernacle - a most humbling and honoured experience especially on this day of St. Michael (the curtains are only drawn for priests on Holy days) and on this day seeing the people with their livestock following, donkeys, cows, sheep and goats all walking to the village for market day and then the pure silver coin which Asqual got me to purchase being transformed by a silver-smith into a beautiful cross for me - all this on my last day of this journey - ending in buying my very own Ethiopian coffee pot and cups and beautifully woven basket and "hoodie" for the pot. I hope that last sentence makes sense but that is how it was, and even more, and can maybe describe how special Hawzien is. Natural, Rural, Devotional, Kind and Caring.
Sorry, most regrettably, no pics - by this stage I had no camera and no phone.
As I was to fly home from Ethiopia, I took the opportunity to go to Hawzien and I am so glad I did. Maybe Hawzien was a high light in the whole journey or maybe it was that I had to experience a special ending and blessing on this journey to date.
Hawzien was bombed and turned into rubble and in this rubble a school arose - The Phoenix - Finks Foundation. Dr. Gebre- Selassie had been involved in Waldorf /Steiner Education in Germany and now began this school. Everything about this school was beautiful. Cows grazed on the meadow, children played in the sandpit, and the gardens were scattered with medicinal plants and herbs, fruit trees and other greenery. The entrance to the school, beautifully painted in delicate colours and architecturally formed to invite you to enter. The classrooms spacious, well designed even though there were 40 to 50 children in a class.
I was so well looked after by Tsigab - who seemed to be the head of the school and Asqual who performed "Coffee ceremony " for me every morning and every afternoon.
My visit to the St. George (stone carved into the mountain 4th century) Church, the flat stone bells that were rung to call the priests which in sounding them I discovered were the tones of the TAO in Eurythmy, the opening of the veil curtain for me to reveal the tabernacle - a most humbling and honoured experience especially on this day of St. Michael (the curtains are only drawn for priests on Holy days) and on this day seeing the people with their livestock following, donkeys, cows, sheep and goats all walking to the village for market day and then the pure silver coin which Asqual got me to purchase being transformed by a silver-smith into a beautiful cross for me - all this on my last day of this journey - ending in buying my very own Ethiopian coffee pot and cups and beautifully woven basket and "hoodie" for the pot. I hope that last sentence makes sense but that is how it was, and even more, and can maybe describe how special Hawzien is. Natural, Rural, Devotional, Kind and Caring.
Sorry, most regrettably, no pics - by this stage I had no camera and no phone.
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