Learn the concepts of sustainable living and improved self-reliance through foodwatershelter’s (fws) Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course. Join East African based instructors Nicholas Syano & Janet Maro with USA based instructor Jeff Reidl in Arusha, Tanzania from the October 5 to 16, 2015 for this incredible opportunity.
For US$850 (scholarships are available through application for East African based participants, as well as group discounts) you will gain valuable knowledge and skills to apply to your own livelihood, and share with your community or organisation. During this course you will have the opportunity to visit projects and other NGOs in the Arusha area, gain experience from the Kesho Leo farms, and meet a diverse group of the international community. Upon completion of the course you will receive an internationally recognised course certification.
Permaculture is a design system to improve sustainability and self-reliance. It uses ecological principles to integrate food and energy production, structures, and community. It’s aim is the creation of sustainable human settlements that are harmoniously woven into the environment and have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.
Principles of permaculture underpin the Kesho Leo systems that are working to, not only meet the food, water, shelter and energy needs of the Kesho Leo residents, but also to provide community educational opportunities and assist income generation. Through this PDC course you’ll learn from our livestock, organic vegetable gardens, aquaculture ponds, food forests and poultry systems, compost toilets and rainwater systems; all while supporting the promotion of resilience and self-reliance within Africa.
Learn from the experts. Our experienced and diverse teaching team includes:
• Nicholas Syano of Nyumbani Village, PRI-Kenya and the Drylands Natural Resource Centre
• Janet Maro of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) and Bustani ya Tushikamane, recently featured in National Geographic Magazine
• Jeff Reidl of Banyan Permaculture
Our PDC courses are as equally useful for homeowners, design professionals and development workers as they are for farmers and gardeners. They are relevant for you whether you are based in the city, or working the fields. Throughout the course students will have the opportunity to work on a design project for their own property or project of interest.
Topics covered through the course will include:
• sustainable farming and backyard gardening for self-reliance and excess production
• soil management using composting, swale design and other simple techniques
• surface water management and rainwater harvesting
• aquaculture, livestock and poultry care
• natural forest regeneration and biodiverse food forests
• income generation opportunities such as mushroom and honey production
• sanitation solutions such as compost toilets and biodigesters
• permaculture ethics and principles of site design and integrated systems
• village design, natural building and appropriate technologies including fuel-efficient stoves.
fws also offers a great opportunity to partner with an East African based project or school through our sponsorship options. If you are a full fee paying student (US$850) for an additional US$400 we’ll be able to offer a position in the course to an individual from an East African based organisation, project or school. If you agree, we’ll connect you with the sponsored student so that you can share experiences through the course and perhaps continue communication afterwards. That means that for only US$1,250 you will have this incredible opportunity and get to share it with someone else. This is one aspect of what permaculture is about… building networks and community. For more information or to enrol, please click here FoodWaterShelter here.
Also contact us through our website https://www.foodwatershelter.org.au/ for information on group discounts if you’d like to send more than one participant from your project or organisation. Many past students and organisations have benefited greatly from being able to share their learning experience and then work together on projects to support their community.
Important Information:-
Meals:
Lunches during the course will be provided on all days except the rest day midway through the course. Three communal dinners held during the course will also be provided. For non-catered dinners, a central restaurant in Arusha will be identified for those who want to eat communally.
Accommodation:
A broad range of accommodation is available in Arusha. Accommodation options range from five-star hotels to camping. Most accommodation options will provide breakfast. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, however fws provides the following recommendations and can provide information on other options on request.
o Kesho Leo Volunteer Village: Take your PDC course experience to the next level by staying at the FoodWaterShelter volunteer village with the course instructors and others. The accommodation is located approximately 20 minutes from Arusha in an agricultural area close to the Kesho Leo Children’s Village. Experience some of the concepts taught during the course including compost toilets and outdoor showers. Accommodation will be in shared rooms of three. Accommodation spaces are limited so sign up quickly.
o Cost: US$30 per person/per night for full board. Daily travel to course provided.
o Contact for bookings and further information by email to [email protected]
o The Spiritan House located in Arusha. It can accommodate up to 25 participants.
o Cost: US$30/person/night for full board for non-East African residents (US$20 for bed and breakfast).
o Cost: 30,000Tsh/person/night full board for East African residents (20,000Tsh for bed and breakfast)
o Contact: Beatha Sala [email protected], ph +255 7 540 639 74, https://www.missionaryspirittravel.com
Things to do around Arusha other than permaculture:
Arusha is the centre of a number of tourist attractions in East Africa including safaris into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, home to the great wildebeest migrations. Mount Kilimanjaro is accessed from nearby Moshi, and the 4,565 metre Mount Meru looms over Arusha, providing a great 3-4 day hike. The beaches of Zanzibar Island are a short flight away. Arusha and East Africa provide many opportunities for independent travel. There are a number of local markets and communities to visit around Arusha, many of them homes to members of the Masaii tribe.
Getting there and away: As the main connection to the Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, there are several options for getting to Arusha, and away.
• Via plane:
o Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya provides easy access to Arusha via the shuttle buses discussed below. Shuttle buses leave from the airport to Arusha at 8am and 2pm. In addition to the bus fare, you’ll have to pay, at least, a transit visa to pass through Kenya.
o Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main airport for international and domestic flights. It is approximately 45 minutes drive from Arusha. Some shuttle bus services, and taxis operate from the airport to Arusha. For an additional cost, fws can arrange a pickup at the airport. Precision Airways is a commonly used airline for flights within East Africa.
o Arusha Airport can be accessed on domestic flights from Dar es Salam, Zanzibar and some other domestic routes. It is approximately 15 minutes from Arusha. For an additional cost, fws can arrange a pickup at the airport.
• Via bus:
o From Dar es Salam, it is a 10 to 14 hour bus ride. A number of commercial bus companies travel this route. We recommend Kilimanjaro Express or Dar Express.
o From Nairobi, the easiest option is to take a 4 to 5 hour shuttle bus with one of the many companies that travel this route. They will pick up and drop off at Nairobi Airport and downtown Nairobi. A visa (possibly just a transit visa) will be required if travelling through Nairobi. Riverside Shuttle bus can be contacted and booked through www.riverside-shuttle.com
Climate and weather:
Arusha’s elevation, at 1,400 m means the temperature remains relatively cool year round and chilly at night, especially during the dry season from June to October. While the weather is generally nice in October, rain is certainly possible, so come prepared with appropriate shoes, raincoat, etc. Average temperatures in Arusha can range from 11oC to 30oC (52oF to 86oF).
Visas:
Important information alert. The visa requirements for Tanzania may vary over time and for each nationality. This can be confusing.
At a minimum, travellers to Tanzania require a valid visa to enter. Entry visa requirements to Tanzania differ between countries and may also change. It is your responsibility to check the current situation and requirements for your country of citizenship and make the relevant preparations. Many nationalities can purchase this visa on arrival. If you do not plan to purchase your visa at the time of entry, apply for your visa with time in advance.
Currently the local immigration office advises us that all foreigners (including East Africans) are required to have more than a tourist visa if attending a conference or even short courses. These may be issued at entry if an appropriate letter explaining the purpose of the visit is provided (FoodWaterShelter can provide that). Alternatively a normal visitor/tourist entry visa is adequate for entry, and then the FoodWaterShelter team will help you upgrade to the relevant visa once arriving in Arusha. This may cost you $200.
Again, research this specifically for your nationality. For example, the Tanzanian consulate in the USA advertises visas for a “meeting or conference” for $100 for US Citizens, or $50 for non-US Citizens if purchased before entry (https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76).
Yes, we know it is confusing. As a worst case, if you arrive in Arusha on only a visitor/tourist visa we can assist you to get the required upgrade hopefully for around $200.
Travel insurance and security:
Travel insurance is a personal decision. Foodwatershelter requires all our volunteers to have suitable travel insurance before travelling to Tanzania. When in Tanzania, fws volunteers are also required to take out a policy with the private security company Knight Support for emergency evacuation assistance, if required. If travelling from outside of Africa, it is recommended that you register with your relevant government department of foreign affairs or travel. As with all international travel, individuals are responsible for their own safety. Course participants must make informed decisions regarding travelling to and from Arusha, and personal safety once there.
Health, medication and vaccinations
: Arusha has reasonable health services by African standards, however these services may not be up to those expected in western countries. Well before travelling, please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations and health requirements.
So please feel free to contact us through our website https://www.foodwatershelter.org.au/ for information on group discounts if you’d like to send more than one participant from your project or organisation. Many past students and organisations have benefited greatly from being able to share their learning experience and then work together on projects to support their community.
