- 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.
- 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
"The holiest of all the spots on Earth, is where an ancient
hatred has become a present love" author unknown.
Mount Kenya Organic Farm (MOOF)
The founder of MOOF, Peter Murage, spent 10 months
in the UK gaining knowledge and experience in organic farming in 1997,
including a five-month internship at Garden Organic where strong links
were formed. Peter then returned to Kenya with the vision of a
community-based organic centre to promote farming practices that would
improve food security and livelihoods for farmers. MOOF was established
in 1998 and seeks to promote organic farming, and act as a research,
resource and training centre.
With failing rains across Kenya leading to failed crops, livestock deaths
and in some areas malnutrition and starvation, the contribution of MOOF
is increasingly vital. Those adopting organic soil management practices
are able to retain moisture in the soil and see greater success with
their crops. MOOF is playing a crucial role in providing such essential
information, advice and knowledge to vulnerable farmers seeking to grow
their own food without expensive external inputs and without causing harm
to their health or to the environment.
- Peter Murage, Programme Director, MOOF.AFRICA,
- Nanyuki-Kenya
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Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
(805) 962-2571
P.O. Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie@sbpermaculture.org
www.sbpermaculture.org
"We are like trees,
we must create new leaves, in new directions, in order to grow." -
Anonymous