The Source Farm’s Nature School approach to education is to create a community school where the students can learn about their environment in a participatory way, as opposed to the chalk-and-talk style of conventional education. Nature School students spend a large amount of time outside of the classroom, learning from the natural world around them. We use a Montessori style of learning, which allows children to develop their critical thinking skills and to develop a relationship with the … Read more
Solutions
- Lifelong Education
- Diversity & Cohesion
- Trust & Communication
- Health & Healing
- Leadership & Governance
- Conflict Resolution
- Wisdom & Innovation
- Art & Celebration
- Vision & Purpose
- Nature Connection
- Mindfulness & Self Reflection
- Defend & Protect
- Leading from the Future
- Contextualised Design
- Whole Systems Thinking
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Intervention & Transformation
- Alliance Building
- Prototyping & Feedback
- Rank & Privilege
Remembering the future gardens Gardening along the Coromandel Coast
To practise a different sort of gardening ,inwardly planting fields of sincerity ,outwardly being clever enough to catch the smallest of rains.... to gain knowledge through doing acts that involve touching matter of all shapes and sizes and which can lead one to be able to see clearly.... To Create models that speak for themselves, that sing songs self evident in their simple clarity. … Read more
Water Retention Spaces Creating jobs in rural areas
Better standards of life in rural areas by providing meaningful work that also improves local infrastructure … Read more
“SORBE” (Cementing locally) Drying harvest in a healthy environment
Food Quality Control … Read more
Rocket stove with chimney Using less firewood
Healthy Beings, Better life for women and reduced use of wood fuel … Read more
Compressed, Stabilised Earth Blocks An appropriate technology for building and construction in developing countries
Sandele Eco-Retreat and Learning Centre was constructed with low embodied energy and a small ecological footprint using an imported compressed, stabilised earth block (CSEB) machine. The machine is highly versatile (70 different shapes and sizes of blocks can be made); it is portable (transferable on the back of a pick up); it is manually operated (no electricity or generator needed); it generates employment (8 people employed per machine); it uses 2½ less cement than locally made blocks; it is … Read more
Responsible Tourism Community based tourism: how it benefits local people by creating revenue streams while protecting environments
The Ecovillage Design Education course (EDE) is a wonderful way to promote eco-tourism. The social, cultural, economic and ecological potential that exists within coastal villages brings new and bigger visions for participants. Sandele Eco-Retreat hosted a second EDE for participants from 10 coastal villages. The participants decided to form PeCEN – “The People’s Coast Ecovillage Network”). It was emphasised that eco-tourism is just one of many possible local businesses and that it could bring … Read more
Medicinal Gardens Building regional autonomy in the area of health and strengthening local sovereignty in healthcare
Part of the 11-year-old University of Resistance’s curriculum is to share ancestral health knowledge. It has become survival knowledge as well as a tool to regain community power and autonomy. Creating, together with the Global Campus network, medicinal herb gardens in different hamlets of the Peace Community, studying ancestral and indigenous medicinal knowledge, seeds exchange across several regions of Colombia and abroad as well as creating a model of medicinal herb garden for children to … Read more
University of Resistance A collaborative University of farmers building regional autonomy in the area of education for non violent resistance
Eleven years ago, the community’s response was to organize volunteer teachers to give basic classes as a traveling university. “We began to realize that we are the owners of our education,” said Tuberquia. The names “Campesino University,” or the “University of Resistance.” reflect the core values that guide the education process in a campesino (farmer) culture. The community’s declared principles of resistance, solidarity, plurality, transparency, freedom and justice are taught hand in hand … Read more
Overcoming trauma Supporting children to overcome trauma and become responsible adults.
If life is a game called "I'm building the world", them it's fun to play. Beginners are not responsible for anything, like babies. But step by step the players learn about self responsibility and respect. There's the thrill and the theatre of initiation to become a Student. Through many challenging steps, the students prove to themselves and their mentors that they really can add beauty to their world, act courageously, accept criticism and much more. Eventually they too become mentors, ready … Read more
