Hi Everyone-

We have received word from our friend Peter Murage, of Mount Kenya Organic Farms (MOOF), that things are not going well in Kenya. The last email we received from Peter was the end of January , we have had no more email contact from him.

We had the privilege of meeting Peter, along with other delegates from Africa, while attending the 8th International Permaculture Conference (IPC8) in Brazil May 2007.  Santa Barbara Permaculture Network feels a special connection to this group, as we came together with our community and held an Africa to Brazil fundraiser event to help some of these delegates get to Brazil and the conference, with the hope that they would be able to make a successful bid for the next International Permaculture Conference in 2009.  And they did!

We have never met a more committed and organized group.  They represented many different countries, but had a singular vision, how to bring world focus on Africa and it's need for sustainable livelihoods and agriculture for all its people, specifically through Permaculture and this conference.  They went home dedicated to organizing a continent wide event, all inclusive. 

We are very saddened to hear in the midst of this wonderful dream and effort, that Kenya seems to be unraveling with political unrest and violence.  What began as localized trouble is spreading out across the country and Peter recently asked us via email to "pray for Kenya". 

Please join us as we keep Peter, MOOF, and Kenya in our hearts and prayers.  When we were unsure of how to support or do this ourselves, Warren Brush of Quailsprings Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm offered to lead us in a Sacred Fire tradition taught to him by Adowa elders. 

 Warren describes the ceremony briefly this way:

"I learned this form of ceremony from and Adowa Peacekeeper who uses the 

fire to reach to the ancestors to support condolence of grief into 

peace.  It is both powerful and gentle in how it manifests our 

intentions and brings us together in unity of cause.  We will wrap our 

spiritual beings around our brothers and sisters in Kenya with the 

light of health and safety and balance".

The fire will be lit at sunset around 5:30 pm on Sunday, February 17th. The fire will last 24 hours, going until the sun sets on Monday, February 18.  We will take turns tending the fire during that time and will have time to express our intentions for Kenyan friends.

You may join us at Quailsprings for the Fire Tending Ceremony , but it requires an immediate RSVP via email to Santa Barbara Permaculture Network (margie@sbpermaculture.org).  More specific information about the ceremony and directions will be given then.  Warren suggests others not able to attend may take those same two days and hold Kenya in their thoughts and light a candle in support, using the small candle fire to connect to the larger one. 

Below is more information about Peter and the work he does.  If interested you can also read about the organizing of the upcoming International Permaculture Conference to be held in Africa at www.ipc9.org.  We are all connected, permaculture and peace, may they spread and grow around the world.

Margie Bushman

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network

Mount Kenya Organic Farm (MOOF)

Peter Murage, Programme Director, MOOF.AFRICA,

Nanyuki-Kenya