We are now almost close to the end of formal training program. We have started listing what we have learned and what we have to share with our friends, groups and communities. Actually we are preparing for the final symposium on Saturday June 14th, 3:00 pm at Antioch University. There are so many things to reflect upon as we went through different events and activities in the last 10 weeks duration around Seattle. I am excited to have this event with you all and to share what we have experienced and learned.

Jonathan Scherch is involved in many sectors exploring, designing, consulting and teaching. Since last few years he has been greatly involved in bamboo based promotion from farm to factory to marketing. He is focused on integrated resource systems for sustainable community and economic development projects. The hike in fuel prices leads worries to all and he is keen to develop systems that works for all age groups, geographic locations and regions. Not only farmers need to grow food but all those who eat food need to show a concern before we face a situation of hunger. To cope with the increase in fuel and ultimately food prices we need to start becoming more social and responsible in changing our habits and habitats. Let us grow happiness………

Its not a myth But it is the truth.  We are all having the warm of global warming.  Many times I have listened, discussed, read on this subject confused, disturbed, how we can resist,  who is responsible for it and so on…  the class with Jonathan Schrerch on sustainable development and Mellisa on climate change both made me to think where this global warming leads us.   Melisa and we had a serious discussions on climate change and felt that each and every one is responsible for it.  Jonathan gave an example of growing Bamboo, and its utilities, a chain of its contribution to the community and how we can avoid or resist  global warming.he shared his views on   the role of growing Bambo  and how it brings sustainability, change in livelihood, culture, and Food.  At last food and socialism stands but its first in human life to live as a human being.  It makes me to think that more and more campaigns and practical implementation of these types of experimental should go on in our own places where we can bring some change.   this is one of the biggest challenge that everyone  is facing but unseen to us in our daily busy schedules.

shammi

We had a class on climate change with Mellissa today. It is interesting to go through the topic but we have less to say. The cause towards the climate change is the industrialized and so called developed countries and others are suffering for nothing. Despite of the international conference in Bali I do not see so much development in this issue. The will of wanting is never stopping so it is very difficult to address the issue until this behavior is not changed. We can actually see some of the impacts in our communities; flood, extreme weather, erosion, drought, disease and so on. These have impacted in social and economic aspects of our communities’ development.

We visited Washington Cash (community alliance for self help) and Rural Development Institute this week. Both of the organizations were non profits working to overcome poverty issues, they are doing great jobs. Washington Cash serves to public in United States making them skilled over business development and promoting them as entrepreneurs where as RDI focuses on policy issues over land rights all over the world. Despite of different working areas poverty is the main issue around their work may it be in developed or developing country. Gap among the rich and poor is increasing today due to the political structures we have built. In my observation we need to work for changing the structure else we have never ending efforts to make and yet it is endless………

The 21 Acres Center is an innovative, community-driven project that will serve as an agricultural and environmental learning center for people of all ages. It is intended to be a King County agri-urban park that will be accessible to the whole community. They are establishing farm plots used to demonstrate sustainable and organic farming practices. They intend to educate both young and old on where the food in Seattle comes from and how locally grown food plays a crucial role in a sustainable lifestyle. They are restoring farmland once overgrown with blackberries and other invasive weeds. The land now supports 80 communities’ plots and a farm growing food for families, market, schools and hunger relief disclosed the volunteer coordinator of the farm. Presenting the design to us, the coordinator emphasized on intended green built facility that will feature a year round farmers market, community kitchen and space for its popular classes on urban farming techniques and sustainability-providing vital infrastructure and education to help keep small farms in business

Visiting this farm today inspires me more given the underlying philosophy of the center, with regards to the proposed PFPF-TRED center envisioned for rural youths in Cameroon. The Center which intends to valorize the culture of the Cameroonian people, particularly the Bakossi tribe focuses on local food and sustainable living. Reflecting on the process put in place to realize this center I feel very proud to have been part of this fellowship program

Health can be within reach for everyone. This is Paths’ an international, nonprofit organization based in Seattle philosophy. They believe that Solutions for the world’s biggest health problems are handy and it only takes a little creativity to make sure they work in poor countries as well as rich ones. They focus more on solutions for emerging and epidemic diseases, like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by designing technologies for low-resource settings, focusing the people who will use them. One major example is reaching the youths through pharmacies by developing model for increasing youth’s access to reproductive health services, the RxGen model where pharmacies are a primary source of health services and supplies and staff is in a good position to help their clients out with critical reproductive health needs. The convenience, affordability, and anonymity offered by pharmacies are particularly appealing to youth, hence indigenous non profit organizations working in community health programs can adequately attain their goals.

Washington CASH was our main host today. They consider micro enterprise as a holistic approach, embracing poverty alleviation, human development and economic development strategies. But what makes their model interesting is the training led programs of what they call get ready workshops. The eight-week business development training program offers hands-on, practical information that is designed to help potential borrowers take concrete steps towards creating their own businesses. At this stage potential clients talk about their business ideas and get advice on it. It helps clients to produce a solid and comprehensive business plan, and introduces them to fundamental business practices, such as preparing cash flow statements, record-keeping, marketing, budgeting, and completing feasibility assessments. Since most participants have never owned a business before, this training is essential, and prepares clients for the next phases of the program of joining a peer group of 5 – 10 (loan group) and applying for micro loans

I found this very interesting and think will be very helpful and applicable in our proposed training center. We think training young Cameroonians to take over the present aging farming population is a gate way to alleviating poverty, encourage self employment and increase food security. Their capacities will be built on integrated and sustainable farming practices. It will involve the whole production cycle from planting to harvesting, through to marketing. Hence, to have a sustainable farm enterprise requires a solid and comprehensive business plan to be able to access resources.

I was so happy to go to one of the tallest building in Seattle–the Columbia Towers,  I was invited along with Deborah to an American breakfast and was lucky to meet a great American person by name Bob Nest,  with lot of values imbibed in him.  I was again able to taste the culture of hospitality in Seattle.  He was a man of ing and could read the pulses of we the people from under developed or developing countries. So I could also see some man are very human to other human beings.  More and more, this type of people should come to contribute to the society to bring a change as i always say little contributions always makes a big difference. Its great for me, meeting great personalities in a great place for greater work.

I had heard and seen in TV, cinema about the big and tall buildings, but never dreamt that I could go there in. the Hotel was so big and beautiful!!!.  When I could go there in, I remembered the WTC building  in NY city….. It was a mixture feeling of excitement  and fear for me and to see how  the development is and how technologies  are working, how fast this country is grown and growing  and so on.   These are / may be   one of the reason that many people from India wants to come to America.  The questions rises in my mind Is this type of development is necessary or inevitable?   may be sometimes we need developments  to improve our systems and livelihoods and not to destroy the human beings.  thanks to all facilitators for all the good and exciting experiences.

shammi

The history started with growing some herbal chives, selling them on the road then later selling via cooked form made The Herbfarm Restaurant today a well known place connecting people with garden to dinner table not only to observe but to touch, smell, feel and taste. We were explained that all the settings made within the farm and restaurant is intentional. The menu in the restaurant changes in course of the season and the food production in the farm. The place and the ideology are great for the dinner package. Most of the people would love to eat but check the pricing before you are prepared. The educational part and the ideas are reflection worthy for all.