Silvia Balado, SSA representative to ENA Council
While the Gaia Ecovillage project continues its slow development within this local and global crisis, the focus is over two basic areas:
1- Gaia Living & Learning Center
2- Networking
1- Gaia Living & Learning Center
Background:
The Education for Sustainable Communities meeting organized by Gaia Trust in September 1998 in Denmark, offered more conceptual tools to our Living & Learning Center project.
We have been working as an educational and learning center from the very beginning, sharing the Ecovillage site as a concrete way to transfer practical Permaculture concepts to promote new ecovillages in South-America. This educational project is one of the strengths and main resources of Gaia Association.
We have already welcomed lots of visitors, volunteers and students from Latin America (Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Mexico Colombia, Ecuador, and Cuba), as well as from distant countries as the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, England, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Spain, Holland, Germany, and Rumania. They converge at Gaia to take courses, to exchange and gain training experience, or to seek advice on starting similar projects in their region.
Also, we received short-term visitors who have no time to share longer programs with us. Though short, these visits are very inspiring and offer basis for the understanding of different systems, which they can reproduce in their own sites. The participants can take with them relevant written and graphic materials.
Our objective is to share training programs to strength the development of sustainable projects in South America
For this objective we identify organizations and individuals in risk that are already looking for an alternative,
After the training they might become a good example for sustainable solutions to the crisis, and may trains others in their regions, and transfer their experience to a wide sector of the population.
Gaia L&LC also function as a Permaculture research center, were different sustainable systems are putting into practice in the daily basis. Ecological principles, local knowledge and new appropriate technology are combined to achieve self-reliance in food, shelter, energy and waste treatment.
Programs
Gaia L&LC offer different programs as interns, workshops, intensive and advance courses.
Hands-on work is the main training tool. The technical skills and academics contents are learned in the context of a living and shared experience with a daily basis.
Each program has its own characteristics, schedule and activities, that changes depending on what season the program runs. In all the programs there are free time for rest, play and personal issues.
The key information we have to share includes:
* Permaculture principles
* Forest Garden
* Seed saving
* Alternative Technology
* Wind energy systems
* Waste water treatment and compost toilets
* Natural building
* Green businesses
* Alternative economic
* Global crisis analysis: searching for solutions within shifting paradigms
* Natural cooking
* Group dynamics. Consensus decision making
Who can participate?
Everyone willing to live and learn from a intense experience, but especially:
- Students that are looking for the practical experience and skills on sustainability that the University can not offer
- Youth and adults that want to acquire sustainability tools for their personal interest, or to start a sustainable project in their region
- Those who want to experience for a while a different lifestyle in contact with nature, in a simple and sustainable environment
- Those who want to learn Spanish in a different context, while learning other sustainable skills
Next Programs Available
"Learning and exploring sustainable life principles" from 1 to 15th November 2001
"Willing worker on Permaculture" (1 month)
Summer Advance training on Permaculture Design:
"Permaculture Certificate Design Course" with Peter Bane & Gustavo Ramirez
16 Feb. to 1 march 2002
"Permaculture Advance Course - Ecovillage Design" with Peter Bane & Gustavo Ramirez
8 to 13 march 2002
WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED, AND CAN SHARE NOW WITH THE STUDENTS?
Infrastructure
The facilities for education have been improved every year.
Up to the present moment, we have accomplished the recycling of most of the existing buildings, with an infrastructure now capable of hosting 40 people. There are dormitories, video room, workshops and courses classroom, community kitchen and dining room, solar showers and compost toilets.
An actualized library on sustainable related issues (Permaculture, Natural Building, Alternative technology, Community living, Deep Ecology, etc.) with more than 300 books and magazines, and 30 related videos, as adequate material for the students. Also available, more than 400 high quality slides on related issues.
New facilities:
Another bathroom, with 4 solar showers
Three more dry compost toilets
Grey water treatment, with the reed bed trench, resulting in high quality water at minimal cost. At the same time the entire system is aesthetic improving the characteristic of the landscape by introducing water and curved patterns.
A greenhouse of 160 mt2 has been built facing north, beside one of the highest walls of the original building. Most of the structure used timber from the local trees. The greenhouse has a small pond inside and also a circular space in the center ideal to use for meetings, relaxation or study. Lots of tropical trees and fruits have been planted, as well as vegetable production during winter.
Under construction/ recycling in one of the old buildings:
Two more dormitory for students
Visitor's center, with display of all the systems they will see at Gaia
Three more dry compost toilets
In addition:
Two natural constructions have been initiated in the resident area, following bio-climatic principles. One cob cottage is already finished and in use, the other one is still under construction.
The consolidation of 450mts of internal roads has been made with recycled bricks, in order to allow the circulation during the heavy rainy days.
Agriculture and Forestation:
In order to improve the grounds, we make planting a priority whenever possible. Restorative tasks aim at recreating native ecosystems, making this an educational activity as well, especially geared to children and youth. More than 600 bushes and trees have been planted for windbreaks and fruit provision.
Last winter only indigenous trees and bushes have been planted to reproduce six native ecosystems, in the wild sanctuary area, to increase the biodiversity and for educational purposes.
The sustainable management of the existing forest supplies all the wood needed for heating and cooking as well as timber for building.
The forest garden area has been increased, designed as spaces for demonstration, education and research on permanent synergic agriculture. Currently, about 220 edible and medicinal plants are being cultivated, most of them from organic, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. The finding and preservation of native plants of South America is a first.
A seed bank and exchange system is being developed that facilitates interchange with other permaculture centers and individuals; thus initiating, slowly but surely, a Seed Savers Network.
Electrical system: Gaia is 100% self-sufficient in electricity, through stand-alone wind-generators.
Today there are three stand alone models: a 900 w Argentinean wind-generator, and two Spanish models - 1500w and 3000 w - thus forming a small wind-power plant with an installed potential of 5400w. This power is stored as 48 v in a 16 battery bank, each battery 220 amperes, and then converted to 220v by a new 4500w Trace inverter.
The batteries, inverter and electronic equipment of each wind generator are housed in a COB building, constructed especially for characteristics of equipment and installation. From this power house electricity is distributed underground to the different buildings.
An anemometer with a data storage system to conduct a study on the efficiency constantly monitors this system. Students, technicians, and future inhabitants of ecovillages and other sustainable projects, are being advised as to the steps to be followed in order to design and install these Stand Alone wind power systems.
Green Business
Small enterprises are establishing at Gaia:
Casa Gaia, essential oils and natural blends
IAP, Permaculture Design Consulting Services and Educational programs
Natural shoes crafts
Production of Organic Vegetables, heirloom Seeds and Honey is for local consumption. But as it is increasing occasionally is on sale to visitors. Also week end visitors and programmed school visits is another income for the place.
COURSES & ACTIVITIES THAT GAIA HOSTED
Permaculture
Certificate Design Courses
December 1996, by Max Lindegger
January 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 by Gaia staff
Feb 2001 in Chile, by Gustavo Ramirez, Jerome Osentowsky, Peter Bane
NEXT! Feb 2002, by Peter Bane & Gustavo Ramirez
PC introduction workshop
Nov 1998 in Uruguay, by Gustavo Ramirez
April 2000 in Patagonia Argentina, by Gaia staff
August 2000 in Lima University, Peru, by Gustavo Ramirez
August 2000 "Introduction to Permaculture", by Gustavo Ramirez, conference and workshop presented at the Ecological International Congress in Cuzco, Peru
Sept. 2001 in Cordoba Argentina, by Gaia staff
"Learning and exploring sustainable life principles" a monthly program, in November 2000, by Gaia staff
Advanced Courses:
March 1999, "Ecovillage Design" by Max Lindegger, Albert Bates, Philip Snyder
January 2000, "Forest Garden" by Jerome Osentowsky
NEXT! March 2002 "Ecovillage Design" by Peter Bane & Gustavo Ramirez
1st Latin-American Permaculture Congress, from 27 march to 2 April 2000
Natural Construction:
February 1999, by Joe Kennedy
Sacred Dances:
October 1997/ January 1999, by Peter Vallance, from Findhorn
Several workshops each year, by Silvia Balado, Charles Petersen from Findhorn, Pablo Skornik from Jujuy
Aromatherapy:
Several courses each year, by Gustavo Ramirez
Community Living
By Charles Petersen, from Findhorn, Oct 1998
By Fany Lea Limansky from Findhorn, January 2001
Bio-diversity Workshop for Aboriginal people and Small Agriculturists:
November 1997, joint project with CETAAR (Argentinean Center for Appropriate Technologies)
ECO-CLUB Young Leaders Gathering:
May 1998, joint program with the Municipality & NGO's
NEW LABOUR ROLES PROJECT
From July to December 1999, a joint program with Buenos Aires Municipality & Gaia, in order to train unemployed people into new roles. Gaia Association takes this challenge as an opportunity to offer intensive practical training on Permaculture, to a group from the slum Villa 31 Retiro in Buenos Aires City (report available at the web page)
Sustainable Living TRAINING:
From Sept to Nov 2001, a joint program with PROAMBA (European Economical Community) & Gaia, to trainee the staff and group of young children from "Asociacion Camino al Sol" that host homeless children in Buenos Aires suburbs.
2- NETWORKING
This South region do not have yet a formal network established, due to the lack of economical resources to convey gatherings, write newsletters, or visit new projects. But we can say that there is a support network in fact, that is strengthen their links through the exchange of information, advise, seeds, occasional visits, that takes their own local shape in each biorregion. This last year we got in contact with some like minded seed projects with lot of potential and enthusiasm.,
Some are spiritual communities that want to include some sustainable tools. Others are ecological groups, which need more holistic and social aspects on their projects.
Gaia is founder member of RAPEL (Latinamerican Permaculture support network) which serves as a regional network as well, and have recently organized the 2nd Latinamerican Permaculture Congress in Brazil.
Facilities
At Gaia an office with telephone and Internet connection has finally been set up, that helps a lot to incriase the communications and we are overwhelmed of emails! Today there is a solid database, built up through personal contacts and e-mail consultations with lots of individuals and like-minded organizations in South America. WebPages
On June 2000 Gaia webpage has been totally renewed, and it is frequently updated.
We receive a constant flow of mail and new contacts, which are continually strengthening the network.
CONCLUSION & NEXT STEPS
Most of these progress and activities have been done with our own resources, with very few economical support of any source. At this point of deep economical and social crisis, and with a loan to payback, an urgent founding support is needed, to be able to maintain and increase these project and activities.
There is a need of pay staff and teachers, as by the moment most are volunteers.
Diffusion needs to be increased within Universities, Colleges, other educational centers, and web sites.
There are still lots of old buildings at the site to be restored with a medium input, that may improve the facilities for more programs of the L&LC, as well as for network gatherings.