Permaculture and Social Justice

EVENT: Saturday, June 30 at 7:00pm

Come hear the story of how an ecological initiative in a small village in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe grew into a community model of sustainable living. Along the way they have become masters of conflict resolution. The project has been about health, conflict resolution, and social improvement—as well as food.

Julious Piti 

Julious Piti has more than 20 years experience in Permaculture, he is the co-founder of one of the most interesting Permaculture Projects in Zimbabwe (CELUCT in Chikukwa - Zimbabwe).
Watch video http://vimeo.com/36582870 (6 minutes)

Mr Piti will speak about his Permaculture projects and how they have helped transform his local area. He will explain the "Three Circles of Knowledge"—how he works within the area where indigenous, spiritual and analytical knowledge overlap.

Community Permaculture 

Chikukwa Ecological Land Trust (CELUCT) is a unique community permaculture organisation in the Chimanimani district of Zimbabwe. Set in the highlands bordering Mozambique, the region is heavily populated and has suffered from deforestation, serious erosion and soil degradation since the area was named a Tribal Trust Land in the colonial era. In this setting, the Chikukwa community has developed a successful permaculture program involving around 8,000 farmers and is one of the largest and relatively unknown permaculture sites in the world.

About PORET 

The PORET Trust works with the community to address hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.  PORET is designed to take the success of CELUCT and spread it further. The aim of PORET is to support the farmers in the low rainfall area of Chaseyama in Zimbabwe in adopting techniques and skills which are essential for them, their families and the whole area to survive and attain a sustainable, productive and healthy life situation. They are currently planning to expand their work since the demand is growing in the face of the climate change problems they are facing today.

About Chikukwa 

Chikukwa is a community nestled high up in the Chimanimani mountains. Because of its location—right on the border with Mozambique, in the gap between two stretches of mountains—Chikukwa was a route for Zimbabwean guerrillas based in Mozambique during the liberation struggle, and Rhodesian soldiers used to come and burn down people's houses.  After Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the same paths were used by Mozambicans in their bitter civil war. Up until 1990, Chikukwans often slept in the bush to avoid attack by Renamo guerrillas. War—together with Chikukwa's remote situation— limited development in this area.

With the support of the Chikukwa Ecological Land Trust (CELUCT), not only have they managed to stay food secure and peaceful during the last conflict ridden years in Zimbabwe, but they have also managed to retain strong and joyful community relations with plenty of heart-warming laughter, singing, dancing and celebration. At the heart of this lies a powerful commitment amongst community members to cooperate to create a strong and sustainable community through the use of permaculture, conflict resolution and the practice of mindfulness.

Venue:
Community Hall of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W. 83rd, Westchester, CA 90045

Cost: Mr Piti will be collecting donations to PORET (Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training)