Permaculture of Money: focusing on the current monetary system; its origins and workings; its damaging impacts; and finally ethical, localised and more sustainable initiatives and alternatives (for example LETs systems, Positive Money Campaign, Credit Unions, Time Banks, Ethical Banking and Peer-to-Peer lending) for economic reform.
A communa
l work morning was spent tackling the existing compost toilets, after an intriguing lecture from Jyoti on the numerous benefits of this closed-loop system and the history of our ‘fecal phobia’. As the warm weather draws increasing numbers of volunteers, the currently unused toilets need to be repaired and re-opened, and we commenced with rebuilding the caña walls of the river terrace toilet.
Dry Stone Walling is an old technique seen around the world using local materials to create long-lasting interlocked structures. There are some beautiful examples here at Sunseed, though some of them are in disrepair due to age or the pesky wild boars. Chas, a skilled stoner, has been patiently renovating many walls, in addition to training others in the puzzle-like art of walling.
The regular working excursion to Laura and Dave’s Earthship was an inspiring day, filled with tough yet rewarding work. An Earthship is a passive solar house, typically constructed from natural and recycled materials, usually off-grid and both economically and practically feasible for the average person to build. It was particularly great to see after having watched Mike Reynolds’ documentary ‘Garbage Warriors’. We helped break down a stone wall which will constitute the rear of their home, cut wooden planks for the construction of the geodome and spent a (mercifully short) time on the strenuous job of earth-rammed tyres.
During a tour of the wonderful Botanic Gardens this week, we learnt about indigenous plants and their stories and uses. The newest addition to the solar cooker family was recently completed for installation outside Gaye’s House. Kate gave a practical lecture on Seed Saving to a keen audience. And as always the seminars, yoga, laughter meditation, guitar lessons, tours and other activities are continuing.
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However, since then Modou has developed a smaller model with thin, flat metal lining which works much better. I wonder if he could also use recycled aluminium cans for this purpose? He is very happy with the results and has plans to spread the word. He has promised to teach my friends in Senegal how to make them, and has called a meeting of all the Al Callos in his district. They want to plan a way to get more solar box cookers made and distributed, and find ways to encourage popular uptake of the solar cooker in The Gambia. Concern about deforestation for fuel has become widespread and reached governmental level so hopefully there will be much support for this work.
Last Winter has been an unusual Winter. For the first time in 25 years Sunseed closed to volunteers to focus on improvement works. That was not only refereed to the houses and commodities, it was also about internal structure, management and organisation.
All the staff members have been involved in many different meetings and working groups to analyze current situation, identify needs, brainstorm ideas, plan future actions and ways to make them happen.
EPF department (Patricia and Martin) has been involved in some of these working groups: Appreciative inquiries, Volunteers experience, Networking, Income generation, Sunseed Policies,…;
