permaculture

[Steve Diver <steved@ncat.org>]

Hello Anton -

The neat thing about permaculture is that it provides
a whole set of ecological principles and appropriate
technology methods to shift people's situation in
how they live with respect to land, water, food
production, energy, food waste, water waste, and
habitat dwellings and animal sheds..... to a greener
and healthier place to live; a more enjoyable place
to live.

Poverty is extreme in the regions you describe, and
there are cultural customs that may require
attention to communication style, but there are
permaculture groups in Africa that already
have methods for teaching workshops and getting
projects established.

The main thing is to get together with rural dwellers,
share the basics of permaculture, and demonstrate.

Successful projects in Africa and elsewhere emphasize
biointensive food production, vermicomposting, rainwater
catchment, solar ovens, composting toilets, graywater
collection, composting, and plant-based pest control.   

Shade-producing arbors and trellises, and water
storage tanks and reservoirs make a big difference
in arid climates.   

Each one of the above is practical by itself.  

Hopefully the end result is that people see
how they link together as part of a ecological
system, how recycling of nutrients is a great
way to provide soil fertilty, how shade and
water storage make valueable improvements
to home dwellings..... etc...

One way for you to approach the situation is
to serve as a network facilitator.  Find the
established permaculture projects in Southern
regions of Africa, highlight their methods and
achievements, and pass along literature.

That may lead to a situation where you can
arrange workshops, bringing permaculture
teachers from one region to other villages and
rural towns in new regions.

You can also just call it Sustainable Living,
Green Africa, Bio-Based Villages, Ecological
Gardening, or whatever seems catchy
according to local people.

Best wishes in your efforts,

Steve Diver
Northwest Arkansas, Zone 6b