My Story and Hope for Permaculture in Africa
Editor’s Note: Project leaders and participants worldwide – please tell us your human interest stories!
My name is Samuel Baluti. I am Malawian by birth. I did two Permaculture Design courses and a Training of Trainers course last year. After that I was looking for a place to gain skills in designing, teaching, earthworks, veggie growing, organic farming, pest and disease control, zero waste management, seed saving, food and nutrition – pretty much everything connected with permaculture.
 Samuel, at right |
I interned for about eight months at Nature’s Gift Permaculture (NGP), outside of Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city, to learn the above things. To achieve this I was attending all four courses they run and assisting in their facilitation. The courses covered permaculture design, gardening and earthworks, and soon I will join a thatching course. I have learnt a lot more than I expected as they allow you to ask a lot of questions. Although the NGP team offered me a paid position at the site, I’ve decided instead to go back to my village to help my own people with the knowledge I’ve gained. I’m leaving NGP now, although I will be coming for a week every two months.
I appreciated all the work which Mada and Hope are doing for all people who are coming to learn. As a result of their work I now have a lot of knowledge and I’m going to use it to help develop my village in Mangochi Monkey Bay in a sustainable way.
I do believe all the world’s problems can be solved by permaculture. Let’s join hands by no longer consuming poisoned food. If others in Malawi and Africa want to find answers to the problem we are facing, come to Nature’s Gift Permaculture centre.
Samuel, at left, is learning from the head Gardener Justin
Great story – I’m really glad to see this. Keep ’em coming.
My name is Kondwani Botha from Mzuzu in Malawi.Rencetly i attended a permaculture meeting at Mzuzu Hotel. I was very much impressed with what is happening in the sector.
I have developed great interest to go for the studies on permaculture so thati put into practice and then transform my life.
My dad left me a very big land of which i have been failing to manage becuase of high prices of agricuture materials.
However i dont really know where to get studies in Malawi or any other places. can you please assist me by reffering me to any school that provides permaculture studies.
Waiting to hear and learn from guyz. I adore the good work you are doing.
Kondwani- I am so glad to see your post. please contact us directly by visiting our website http://www.naturesgiftpermaculture.org. We are located in Lilongwe but we have contacts all over the country- and especially in Mzuzu. -hope
Kondwani – Great to hear from you, I was also at the WESM meeting in Mzuzu. Nice to see you on line. Contact me on [email protected] and I’ll give you a list of some people in your area that can help you learn more about Permaculture. Stacia
Blessings and Big Love to Samuel, Mada, Hope, Mathews and anyone else I’m leaving out at Nature’s Gift Permaculture in Lilongwe, Malawi at the Kumbali Lodge site. I love and miss you all. So pleased to see this article with focus on Samuel and Nature’s Gift Permaculture. I wish you all the greatest of success in your design, practice, and teaching. And to Geoff and Nadia at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia for carrying this beautiful story. I am so proud to be a witness to the growth of those I came to know and love while in Malawi and Zimbabwe around this time last year. The IPC9 was an awesome experience I believe for all who attended. The inspiration, knowledge, and shared experiences were priceless.
So excited to learn of the permaculture initiative in Malawi. Our family lived in Lilongwe 1987-89. Many treasured memories, especially of friends. Thank you for posting Samuel’s story.