Planning ahead
The Trees of Hope team are happy to confirm that good progress has been made with the Roots project initiated in 2022.
Preparations are now being made for the next phase of the work. Together we are currently discussing medium term plans that can build on the successful completion of the new shade structure that is already providing protection for young saplings and of facilities around the borehole (including toilets) to encourage further engagement of local community members.
Mid Term Goals
In the mid term we are exploring the following avenues:
• linking with permaculture organisations in Zimbabwe (for example the Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre)
• attending local university based permaculture courses with a view to exploring how local indigenous knowledge and skills can contribute to a regenerative community experience that safeguards the forest environment.
• launching a Trees of Hope community engagement programme that will include local farmers, gardeners, musicians, story tellers, teachers, young people, children and elders within the project’s daily practices.
• sharing ideas about the use of the local schools as outreach sites where saplings can be nurtured and distributed. (These schools all have extensive grounds and secure water supplies that are appropriate for this purpose).
• developing the potential of the spaces within the adjacent Zambuko Community Library and Cultural Centre building and supporting the creation of a Permaculture Library and Resource Centre in one of library’s rooms.
• collaborating with the Schools and Colleges of Permaculture Education, Zimbabwe (SCOPE) and with trainers / researchers in education and ecology at the University of Zimbabwe who may be able to support the documentation and wider dissemination of the Trees of Hope activities.
These steps can be seen as a prelude towards achieving a longer term aim - the gradual evolution of a critical and dialogic action based learning programme in schools and the wider community that brings indigenous approaches together with the methodologies of permaculture organisations to promote local regenerative practices.
The support team in the UK are drawing on relevant links established through partnership with Bath Spa University where Kennedy Chinyere is a visiting teacher in the traditions of mbira music and where Nick Clough and Jane Tarr are Visiting Research Fellows.
We would welcome comments and suggestions about these proposals.