KUFUNDA VILLAGE ZIMBABWE

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.

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!!!!