We are now offering a FREE Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course, with hands on experience over two months in the summer of 2012 in Anse- Pitres, Haiti. This will give participants the chance to apply their knowledge and help the local Haitian community.

Sadhana Forest Haiti is an international volunteer community that aims to reintroduce an indigenous food forest to Haiti. We share with volunteers and our local community our desire to live sustainably, from organic food growth to alternative energy sources, to composting. We utilize Permaculture techniques and design philosophy to achieve our goals.

As part of the course we will travel to rural communities in Haiti, plant trees and help design and implement little food gardens! 

If you have ever dreamed of getting hands on experience and helping supply food security for Haitian communities…

Here is your chance!

We urgently need enthusiastic volunteers to help us restore the environment and improve the quality of life of thoudsands of people.

You will receive training in permaculture design free of charge, while also learning intercultural communication in Haiti from JUNE 11 – AUGUST 10, 2012.  Each student will have a chance to apply the permaculture techniques to a specific site in Haiti that will immediatily benfit local Hatiain families.

So if you…

• Are intrested in regenerative agriculture
• Are willing to contribute $4 a day for three vegan meals, made with locally purchased ingredients
• Want to make a significant impact on people’s livelihood and the environment
• Can offer 2 months or more of your time

During the last month, we here at Sadhana Forest have established a bond with a local environmental group, GPLA (Gwoupman popile pou Lavni Anasapit). Shown above is one of our first encounters where 50 people from their group
attended a meeting at Sadhana Forest on how to plant trees. GPLA is extremely  interested on how we plant and our amazing success rate in growing the trees. Sadhana Forest does Mound Planting, where we dig a round trench that is 1 meter in circumference and then take that soil to make a mound inside the circle we dug. If planting on an angel we may create bunds on the outside of the trench to make sure that water will collect inside of it. We then cover the planting area with mulch to aid in the reduce water evaporation. In the photo above, 2 GPLA members have planted the tree and are mulching around the perimeter.

Our connection with GPLA has been beneficial to both groups. GPLA has brought us out into the mountains of Haiti into Bonan and Boni to demonstrate our tree planting and we have shared our knowledge on alternative methods for cooking (solar cookers and rocket stoves). We attend their weekly meetings (where the majority of their 200 members show up each week and pay dues!), and they stop by the forest to continue their education on different aspects of environment. They latest news update from GPLA is that they are trying to start up a garbage collection in Anse-a-Pitre and that they are making their own VermiCompost!

The University of Lausanne featured a picture of the the Sadhana Forest Haiti nursery in an article about Biomimicry. Sadhana Forest is one of the partnering NGOs in Haiti, monitoring nurseries and training local people. Read the original French article or, to give you a rough idea, the google translation to English.

Amoung the trees, the outside:

Please come on in:

Here’s our kitchen complete with a T-bar for chopping tasty fruits and veg:

And of course no Sadhana Forest kitchen would be complete without some wonderfully efficient rocket stoves to cook tasty food on:

On the other side we have our dining and lounge area complete with power outlets from our solar panels:

In the last few months we have dug the local school’s well deeper, installed a solar pump and tank, and laid pipe to our land so that we can meet all our food forest and garden needs. Our needs too, with our super Aqua Sun filter, so that we can drink safe freshly filtered water. You can see it on the left here:

We are now ready to work the land knowing we have this wonderful space to be in. I hope you’d like to come too, just email sadhanaforesthaiti@gmail.com, everyone is welcome. Even our 8 legged friends who like popcorn

So we’ll try and fill you in on what happened during the Seedball gathering back in November. The event coincided with the switch over of long term volunteers Jack and Hannah with Tom and Helen just as the madness began! Just in time for the event we also moved onto our land which involved lots of amazing helpful volunteers teaming together to set up a main tent, toilets and showers in just a few very busy days!

People travelled from all over Haiti and the world to live and learn together and share their knowledge and skills with one another. One of the highlights of the event was the Permaculture workshop given by Steve Whitman. After introducing the basic concepts of Permaculture and how it came about everyone split into smaller groups to focus on creating a base map of SFH and working on a possible design. The resulting designs were imaginative and practical and have already inspired how we are planning the future of the land.

There was also a day of sharing skills during the event. There were workshops throughout the day including the ancient secret of Humus Vivus; a compost technique designed for poor, arid land, the philosophy of Deep Ecology and recycled plastic mats and rope. During the event everybody also helped to prepare, make and throw seedballs on our land which we will hopefully start to see emerging in the next rainy season in May.

The end of the event was slightly anti-climatic as plans were abandoned in favour of seeking dry safe shelter as Hurricane Tomas approached! Although the hurricane was simply strong winds and a lot of rain by the time it hit us we all camped together in the school next to our land until the rain passed. Popcorn, movies and guitar-led sing-alongs kept spirits up!

A big thanks to everybody who came to be with us for the event and shared in whatever way they could.

If you want to try out seedballs for your land this is our recipe:

1 part seeds to 30 parts clay/compost mix and Coconut Fibre (or another fibre available in your area)

We collected a mixture of seeds from trees in our local area and mixed them 1:30 with red clay and compost. The compost provides nutrients to the seedling when it begins to grow. We then mixed in coconut fibres to help the mixture to bind and added water. We added water slowly whilst stirring until we had the consistency of playdough. Once we had that we rolled the mixture in small balls about 5 centimeters in diameter and laid them out to dry in the sun. In our climate the seedballs only took 1 or 2 days to dry. When finished, the seedballs should be able to be thrown without breaking upon hitting the ground. When enough rain falls the seeds within germinate and attempt to take root. The best time to throw seedballs is before a rainy season, however if you throw them in a dry season they will simply lie dormant their until enough rain falls. This method is particularly useful if you’re working on heavily degraded land such as we are!

Written by Tom and Helen

Sadhana Forest Haiti

International Clayballs for Peace Meeting in Haiti

 “Seeds after the earthquake”        

An international gathering event for solidarity and peace

From October 26th to November 5th 2010 

Please circulate this information to anyone else you feel may be interested!! 

After the earthquake that severely damaged Haiti in January 2010, we have the opportunity of acting in a concrete way to show solidarity with our Haitian sisters and brothers. We firmly believe that the real richness we can bring is in the improvement of the fertility of the soil, creating biodiversity and providing an ecosystem that will raise the amount of water in the environment as well as creating a food forest for the people to enjoy. Haiti suffers from extremely arid conditions. As a result, food production is low and the country is forced to import approximately 70% of its food. After the recent disaster Haitian people are even more dependent on foreign aid and imports.

From the 26^thOctober to the 5th of November 2010 people from different parts of the world together with local people from Haiti will meet at the international ecovillage community of Sadhana Forest Haiti (www.sadhanaforesthaiti.org) in Anse a Pitre, Haiti to learn how to make different types of seed-clayballs and throw them together on the land. We will all contribute to the recreation of an indigenous forest that will bring life and fertility as well as human solidarity and we will live together as a big community.

The event including all activities, workshops, communal vegan meals and filtered water will be completely free.

Please bring your own tent!

“May there be many more forests to grow people”

Workshops and activities:

Reforestation:

We will learn how to recreate an indigenous forest that will give local people the opportunity to live in an harmonious and productive ecosystem that will improve their living conditions.

In our project in India we have planted more than 20,500 Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest plants of 150 different indigenous species, and we are constantly mulching and caring for them.

Survival rate on average is between 80% – 90%. Survival rate does not fall below 70% even on the most degraded soil.

Natural farming and seed clay-balls:

Masanobu Fukuoka, the philosopher-farmer that developed the method of natural farming and the seed clay balls, devoted his life to serve nature, creating a method of agriculture that proposes to work with nature rather than against it. He travelled the world with the mission of stopping the desertification process by throwing clay seed balls in deforested areas in order to bring them back to life. He is the author of “The One-Straw Revolution” amongst other titles. He passed away at the age of 95 on August 16, 2008. We feel lucky and honoured to continue his work in serving nature for the sake of the entire world.

Permaculture:

There will be a two day Permaculture Workshop in wich we will learn what Permaculture is about.

If you are working toward a sustainable future for yourself and the planet, and want practical tools and applicable methodologies, then this workshop is for you!

Permaculture is a framework for creating resilient communities that uses ecological principles to integrate food and energy production, structures, and people. Its aim is the creation of sustainable human settlements that are harmoniously woven into the environment and that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

Day one:- Defining permaculture ethics and principles, and introducing the design process.

Day two: – will include additional design tools and hands on activity.

In addition we will be living and learning in and amongst Permaculture design.

Organic gardening:

Learn a variety of skills to create organic gardens integrated with water conservation techniques, which can be applied to large or small scale farming in a variety of environments.. We will also learn how to create a small highly productive urban balcony garden for city inhabitants.

Water conservation skills:

The conservation and the harvesting of water are fundamental for creating a healthy system for plants and animals and to prevent desertification and erosion. Without water there is no life. You will have the opportunity to learn valuable water conservation techniques.

If you are interested in participating in our clayball event, please read all the information below very carefully. Before arriving, please RSVP if possibe and print a copy of the information to take with you!!!
  

We are fully committed to accept everyone that wishes to volunteer here and warmly welcome all that wish to participate in the upcoming clayball event. 
Sadhana Forest is a 100% vegan environment, so we ask volunteers not to bring or eat any non-vegan food in the forest. A vegan is a person who avoids the use of any animal products for nourishment or for any other purpose. Vegans do not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy (milk) products, honey, or any other animal products. Our primary motivation to be vegans is to reduce animal suffering.
 
We expect volunteers not to use cigarettes, drugs and alcohol during their entire stay at Sadhana Forest Haiti, whether inside or outside of Sadhana Forest.
 
Sadhana forest Haiti is a non-smoking community.
 
The address of Sadhana Forest Haiti is:
 
Ecole Amsai
Kay Mer
Lasaline,
Anse-a-Pitre
Haiti
 
We feel safe in our area and medical facilities are available nearby.
 
The easiest way to reach Sadhana Forest Haiti is to fly to Santo Domingo (Capital of the Dominican Republic).
 
From Santo Domingo take a take a bus to Pedernales in the South West corner of the country and from there we will meet you to cross the border to Haiti together. We are located just 1 kilometer from the Dominican Republic border. Please call us from Pedernales, so that we can meet you. It would also help us if you ask the driver to tell you one hour before you arrive and try to call us then.
 
The buses should leave Santo Domingo at about these times 8am, 10:30am, 12pm, 3pm. The first bus will get you to Sadhana Forest Haiti on the same day. If you take the later ones you will have to sleep the night in Pedernales. Get to the station early (an hour or so) and expect a ride that may last up to 7 hours with one stop for food. If you get off for food make sure to be on the bus before the driver or he may leave without you. The bus costs 350 Pesos (equivalent to about 10 US Dollars) and they take only cash pesos and not any foreign currency. If you are coming from the airport do not forget to exchange money before the immigration.
 
To get to the bus station in Santo Domingo take a taxi from the airport to “Calle Duarte”. A taxi from the airport will cost $40. The bus station is a street which all the buses are parked on in a row. Ask taxi driver to drop you off at Pedernales bus. Pedernales is the last stop so you will not miss it.
 
 These are the numbers to reach us:
 
001-809-787-2233
001-809-752-2233

If you don’t arrive to Pedernales before 16:00 please stay the night in Pedernales and come to join us on the next day.The first bus leaving Santo Domingo will get you here on time.

In Pedernales you could stay at:
 
Hostal Doña Chava
5 Calle Segunda
Barrio Alcoa
Pedernales,
Dominican Republic
Phone: 809-524-0332
Email:hostalchava@hotmail.com
 
If you are staying in Santo Domingo before coming to Haiti, only exchange a little money at the airport and the rest in the city because in the city you will get better rates. There is access to money in Pedernales so if you have to get more money in the future, you can. Also, do not worry about exchanging for Haitian money (gourds) when you come. We’ll help you do that later if needed.
 
If you arrive to Santo Domingo after the last bus has left or wish to rest from the flight in Santo Domingo you could take a taxi to:
Hotel Freeman
Calle Isabel La Catolica 155
Zona Colonial
Santo Domingo
Phone: 1-809-688-4263, 954 636 2089, Mobile: 809 519 4865

Email: freemanhotel@yahoo.com
 
The cost is $30 a night and it is a nice place. It is in a safe area and almost as cheap as you can get for the convenience and safety. You get your own room, a/c if you like. In the same neighborhood there is a slightly cheaper place which is dormitory style:
 
There isn’t a central source of electricity in the community so please bring your own solar powered or hand cranked stuff.
 
The updated list of supplies that you must have are:
 
WATERPROOF TENT
Passport
Photocopy of passport.
Valid Travel Medical Insurance
Photocopy of Valid Travel Medical Insurance
Photocopy of air tickets
Small rope
Sleeping bag and/or sheet
Mattress for sleeping (if you want to use one).
Medical First Aid kit (bandages, disinfectants for wounds, and rehydration
salts). These cannot be purchased in Haiti!!!!
Any special medication that you take regularly or may need in emergency.
Torch/ Lantern Wind up or solar
Cutlery & Crockery
Cash in $US
Appropriate clothing
Hat
Rain equipments (rain coat, etc…)
Natural Mosquito repellant
100% Biodegradable toiletries
Water bottle (please no plastic)
 
Optional supplies:
Swimming suit

Small solar panel & charger for personal items (< $US 30)
Natural Sun cream
Sanitary items (Moon Cup)
Small back bag

Strong adhesive tape (Duct Tape)
Cell phone (bring a hand crank charger with it)
Pocket knife
Notebook, pen/pencil
Spare glasses/ contact lenses
Padlock
 
If you have any other questions please feel free to write to us at aviram@auroville.org.in or phone us at the numbers listed above.
 
Our phone numbers are:
.
001-809-787-2233
001-809-752-2233
 
Please circulate this information to anyone else you feel may be interested in participating at our Intenational Clay Seed Balling Event October 26^th to November 5^th 2010.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sadhana Forest Haiti soon!!!
 
Warmly,
 
Aviram and Yorit Rozin

Photo of our land when we first arrived on the 8th of April, 2010.

And after, photo taken on the 8th on June, 2010. After 2 months of hard work!

A great big Thank You to everybody, who helped us is any way. In Haiti or from home. This could never have happened without all the support that we have had. Thank You again,

Lots of love,

The Sadhana Forest Family!

A Delicious Salad with Radishes from our Garden.

   The international border market is a busy bustling place, every Monday and Friday we have the opportunity to head off to market to buy our food for the week. While the locals load their produce, baskets and bags onto hard-working donkeys, we start to load ourselves with backpacks and bags for the walk to the border.
   The crowded passageways are filled with a diverse mix of people, sounds and smells; floor space effectively organised into crouched purveyors of dried black mushrooms, spinaches and mangoes. Young boys chime the merits of their plastic wares. And shuffling through the crowds we’re often blessed with a smile from a friendly face, a friend of few words, always pleased by our Creole greetings. 
   The market has more vegetables than a vegan could need, gnarled gargantuan roots, sweet smelling fruits and Dominican trucks heaving with coconuts. Loaded we head home to enjoy a delicious week filled with tasty home cooked vegan food.