permaculture

[Wesley Roe and Santa Barbara Permaculture Network <lakinroe@silcom.com>]

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE IN UGANDA WITH ROSEMARY MORROW, SEPTEMBER 2009

http://permaculturedesigncourseinuganda.blogspot.com



This site contains information about the two week residential 
permaculture design certificate course being taught by Australian 
teacher Rosemary Morrow (Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute) in 
Uganda, 14 - 30 September 2009.

This course will be delivered to both local community members and 
international participants, and course fees paid by international 
students will subsidise locals, directly contributing to the 
promotion of permaculture in East Africa and affording a 
cross-cultural experience for all.

The aim of the courses is to upskill permaculture trainers who will 
go on to be active in community development, so participating in this 
course is about far more than getting PD certified!

As local participants are prioritised, places for international 
guests will be limited. Book now to confirm your place in this unique 
learning experience.

CONTACTS
To register or for more information, please contact:
Amanda Cuyler (Australia)
Mob: + 61 409 286 477
amandacuyler@gmail.com
ugandapermaculture@gmail.com



Why register for the course?



* Learn vital practical knowledge and skills for leading a 
self-reliant and community-resilient lifestyle
* Qualify as an accredited permaculture designer and gain experience 
on a tropical demonstration site
* In an era of increasing uncertainty, become part of a global 
network effecting positive change and creating designs for 
sustainable living and land use
* Develop cross-cultural awareness and discover the warmth and 
cultural richness of Africa's "pearl", Uganda
* Learn firsthand how permaculture can be used a powerful tool to 
empower and address the real issues confronting communities in the 
developing world
* Contribute to the dissemination of permaculture knowledge and 
skills in Central Africa by directly subsidizing the participation of 
a local person




International Participant Places Limited - Register Now!

To keep a small class size and ensure that positions are prioritised 
for local East African participants, positions for international 
participants are limited. This course is a rare opportunity to gain 
qualifications on-site in a tropical location, knowing that you are 
directly subsidising the participation of a local person and ensuring 
the dissemination of vital knowledge in East Africa. Register today!




What is permaculture? Why should I study permaculture in Uganda?




Permaculture is a method for designing sustainable, human-supporting 
landscapes that mimic the operation of natural ecosystems. By linking 
the different parts of each system in ecologically sensible ways, 
permaculture achieves high yields, reduces inputs, and actually 
builds fertility over successive seasons. Based on three core ethics 
and a set of design principles, permaculture can be applied in any 
climate and at any scale.

The term "Permaculture" combines "permanent" and "agriculture" as 
well as "permanent" and "culture." Permaculture is a philosophy that 
allows us to use the resources that we have around us to their 
fullest potential. By observing and learning from our environment 
(such as how does nature replenish its soil, how does nature protect 
and conserve its water resources, how has nature adapted to the 
specific climate of an area, etc.), we can learn how to imitate these 
natural processes in our daily living. The more closely that we can 
work with nature, the more likely we are to establish a balance which 
will provide us with the things that we need without damaging the 
environment.

Permaculture is rooted in the fact that no single problem or solution 
stands on its own. In recognition of this balance, it embraces four 
basic principles:
1. Working with nature rather than against it
2. Thoughtful observation rather than thoughtless labour
3. Each element should perform many functions rather than one
4. Everything is connected to everything else

Like so many other countries in Africa, Uganda is enmeshed within a 
web of complex, interrelated social and environmental issues. Poverty 
levels are high, particularly because so many families have been 
affected by the HIV+/AIDS pandemic; post-primary education levels are 
low; and these factors, combined with decades of civil conflict, have 
left the country with more than 2.4 million orphans.



Uganda's population is predominantly rural. Families need to subsist 
on their own small plots of land, with few income-producing jobs 
available in the small townships where the majority of the population 
farm and live. Access to academic or practical agriculture classes is 
minimal. Although local District Agriculture Officers have some 
awareness of sustainable agriculture concepts, and are very keen to 
know more, very little training is available to them and consequently 
they are unable to pass on knowledge to the community.

We are at a pivotal point in history. The developing world is 
disproportionately affected by climate change and food insecurity, 
and the great majority of Ugandans are struggling to meet the 
skyrocketing costs of food and non-food items. Therefore, the need 
for communities and individuals to achieve food, water and power 
sovereignty is increasingly more critical. Permaculture provides 
communities with vital skills and knowledge to provide for their 
needs in socially just and ecologically sustainable ways.

This two-week residential will be delivered to both local community 
members and international participants. The course fees paid by 
international participants will subsidise local participants, , 
directly contributing to the promotion of permaculture in East Africa 
and affording a cross-cultural experience for all concerned. (The 
course will be taught in both English and Luganda). The aim of the 
courses is to train trainers who will go on to be active in community 
development, so participating in these courses is about far more than 
getting PD certified! As local participants are prioritised, places 
for international guests will be limited. Book now to confirm your 
place in this unique learning experience.

The course is scheduled to run prior to the 9th International 
Permaculture Convergence (IPC9) being held in Malawi, South Africa 
and Zimbabwe in October 2009. Ugandan and East African graduates from 
the course will be eligible for scholarships to attend IPC9, so that 
they gain a broader and deeper knowledge of permaculture, establish 
an active East African permaculture movement, and build mentor 
relationships with members of the international permaculture 
community.




Accreditation

The Permaculture Design Certificate course is an internationally 
recognized, seventy-two hour course. This course provides an 
introduction to permaculture design and is accredited by the Blue 
Mountains Permaculture Institute. Successful completion of the course 
entitles students to graduate with a Permaculture Design Certificate 
(PDC). The PDC qualification serves as foundation for further 
permaculture work and study and is a prerequisite for the Diploma in 
Permaculture Design, offered through The Permaculture Institute.




Course Curriculum




The Permaculture Design Certificate course covers a broad range of 
subjects to provide a comprehensive overview of permaculture 
approaches, from basic principles to applied design.

Topics include:
        1.      Ethics/principles
        2.      Climates
        3.      Water
        4.      Soils
        5.      Plants
        6.      Earthworks
        7.      Windbreaks
        8.      Aquaculture
        9.      Patterns in Nature
        10.     Zones
        11.     Integrated Pest Management
        12.     Design for Disaster
        13.     Village and Community Design





Demonstrations, hands-on activities and site visits



The course has a strong practical work component and will include 
activities such as plant propagation, seed saving, soil structure and 
pH analysis, composting, pelleting, contour marking, swale 
construction, compost toilet construction. Participants will also get 
to visit local sites utilising permaculture principles including St 
Jude's Organic Training Centre in Masaka.



Registration Details

COURSE FEE: TBC

FEE INCLUDES:

        *       Professional Permaculture teachers
        *       All course materials
        *       All field trips
        *       Practical permaculture fieldwork
        *       Hands-on design experience
        *       Meals
	*	Bedding and mosquito net (to remain onsite for future 
use by the children at the home)
        *       Transport to and from airport and to and from course sites.

Pay the same price for the PDC qualification as you would in other 
parts of the world, but know that your fee is subsidizing a local 
Ugandan to undertake the course alongside you.

MAKING A BOOKING

To ensure your place please send a AUD$300 deposit with this 
registration form. Course numbers are limited. You can make a booking 
by email or by phone.

Discount
An AU$100 discount is available for registrations with full payment 
received 3 months prior to the commencement of the course.

PAYMENT

We accept cheque, money order, or direct deposit payments.

Confirmation of booking

Once your registration (with deposit or full payment) has been 
received, confirmation will be sent with a receipt and further 
details about the course, including directions for making your way to 
the course site and other on-the-ground details.

Cancellation policy

If for some reason you cannot make it to the course,
        *       60+ days cancellation a $100 administration fee will be 
charged
        *       45-59 days, 80% of the cost of the course will be refunded
        *       30-44 days: 60% of the cost of the course will be refunded.
	*	Less than 30 days: 50% of the cost of the course will 
be refunded.
	*	If for some reason the course is cancelled, you will 
receive at least 60 days notice and your full payment will be refunded
	*	Please note, we do not take responsibility for any 
flight arrangements you have made. Please take out travel insurance.

COURSE ORGANISERS
                Children of Uganda
                Permaculture Across Borders
		Rosemary Morrow, Blue Mountains Permaculture 
Institute, NSW Australia

CONTACTS
To register or for more information, please contact:
Amanda Cuyler (Australia)
Mob: + 61 409 286 477
amandacuyler@gmail.com
ugandapermaculture@gmail.com