Every week we receive visits from Apres School (Wednesdays) and New Creation School (Fridays).

Both groups are motivated to do things in the soil.

“Kaigani Totem”!!! In Tamil language this means Children’s Garden and now it is time to plant. But this time with a new technic that we learned from Bernard and Dipika, our neighbourds from Pebble Garden. Thanks to them, now we have a lot of seeds, thank you!!

We did the first Circle Garden with 15 kids from Apres School. It was very important for them to learn this design, because they have lots of land in their school and they want to use it properly. So we thought that there must be many places and people interested about this simple and efficient process. Here is the explanation about what we did in Children’s Land.

Circle Garden, step by step:

-         Find a nice place wich has access to water

-         Mark a circle 1 meter in diameter

-         Dig a hole in the middle, 30cm deep, and collect the soil at the edge of the circle

-         Collect materials: cow dung, dry leaves, human urine, water

-         Put two handfuls of cow dung in the midle of the hole.

-         Soak the leaves in water + human or cow urine for one day, then put them above the cow dung.

-         Put dry leaves on the top till the boundary height becomes the same level

-         Plant in a zigzag pattern on the soil bunds. The plant species that requires more water and nutrition should be placed more towards the centre.

-         It is possible to plant vegetables mixed with flowers, shrubs or ornamental plants.

In a circle garden, the plants benefit from the nutrients from the biomass in the midle of the circle. And you just need to water it 2 a 3 times per week, because the mulching (dry leaves) retains the water and prevents the soil drying easily.

Have a wonderful time making you circle garden!!

It is very easy and practical to do it at home or at the school with children!!

 The surrounding area in this new area of land will be a high intensity growing zone with wateremelons and beans already growing near the base of the huts!

 Work on the new Sadhana Forest Amphitheatre will begin this year, enabling us to host even bigger and better Eco-Film Club Nights and other events with a capacity of over 400. Watch this space!

We had the presence of Manu, an Architect from Auroville, to help them to develop their ideas.

Actually, they agreed to call this place “The Idea Hut”, where they can be even more inspired to have new ideas for the future of their land.

We had a productive morning, with a beautiful sharing of what they will need and how to do what they want done. Many of them agreed to have a hut with natural materials and without walls, so they will be in harmony with nature and will feel the blowing of the wind.

After the “catarpilar” game, everybody decided to continue developing the hut plan for the next Sunday, where everybody can make a 3D model.

Nice!!!Mudpool going? Yessssss!!!

We are all very excited about the whole process.

We are looking forward to the new hut that is coming soon!!!

And guess what?

We did all this with environmentally friendly and recyclable balloons.

These balloons are made with latex, this material is a 100 per cent natural substance that breaks down both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins almost immediately. Oxidation, the “frosting” that makes latex balloons look as if they are losing their colour, is one of the first signs of the process.    Exposure to sunlight quickens the process, but natural microorganisms attack natural rubber, even in the dark.

Research shows that under similar environmental conditions, latex balloons will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree.   The actual total degradation time will vary depending the precise conditions.

Rubber trees, from which the latex for balloons is harvested, are one of the main forms of vegetation in tropical rain forests, which in recent years have become crucial to maintaining the earth’s fragile ecological balance.    Harvesting latex can be more profitable to poor third world nations than raising cattle on the deforested land.

Even when the trees producing latex for balloon manufacturing grow on plantations instead of in rain forests, they help the ecosystem, as the natural biology of the trees helps maintain our atmosphere and protect the ozone layer.

Was amazing to see the kids so happy, so astonished and surprised with all the creativity that Rachel demonstrated. They had a lot of fun, learned to build flowers with balloons too, and all the eyes were shinning, the mouths were open, the atmosphere was of pure bliss and joy. One day that nobody will forget, the proof that life is full of magic.

In this last century, there have been countless changes in our lives. We have passed from a simple and traditional way of living to a fast-paced and complex way.  Computers have become a necessity and we can’t live without them. We are able to know what is happening virtually anywhere around the world, every second of the day. Our generation have become dependent on all the technology around us. Television and cell phones are being used and removing us further from nature. Cities are becoming larger and congested, and people are constantly worrying about money and not worrying about being in contact with each other. Many people took out bank loans and have become dependent on this money and have lost their freedom.  Diseases such as depression and stress are becoming more commonplace.  

Our forests are gradually disappearing just like the coral reefs. There are many animals, on land and in the sea, that have become extinct due to human existence. We are changing the Earth.  Pollution, global warming, overpopulation are a few of the crimes that we have committed.  

But we are feeling hopeful!! 

Today there are many people that are changing the current way of living and starting amazing projects and living in an alternative lifestyle. We are slowly going back to nature and having a healthy life and beginning to think sincerely about the impact we have on this planet and are consciously trying to create a better place for coming generations, like yours. We understand that it is difficult to change the things that are wrong on this planet but we have a solution. By having a spiritual life for ourselves and being as pure as we can be, we have the potential to bring awareness and to be better human beings.

We can be positive and optimistic. We need to share and to give back to the earth. To express ourselves through art, to be more ecological, to eat good food, to plant some more trees, to play with the children, and to respect everybody. These are some ways we can simply decrease the problem with the earth.  

Metamorphosize, find the inner silence, find the beauty in the simple things, find the happiness inside each of us, be grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to see all these miracles surrounding us.

We are already creating new schools and new spaces for children. We aspire to maintain the connection with nature, to experiment and to understand that we are only a part of something better. We need to be in tune with the ecosystem around us, know the place where you live and have time to explore it. Learn about things that are really important for your life, like how to grow your own vegetables and fruit and how to make your house more ecofriendly. 

Arts are very important to help express someone’s creativity. Painting, drawing, music, dance and handicrafts are outlets for your creativity.  

Nevertheless, the most important idea is to find happiness, but this must be in balance  and respect nature and all the living beings of this Planet. You need to  view the world as a big community and to love it and make it better.

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.