Africa creating a model of food production the world is copying.


Hi bloggers happy Halloween, it’s interesting how the UK has seemed to take on this American tradition of trick or treat. When I was young it wasn’t celebrated at all, now there are pumpkins in all the shops and outfits, lots of people hold parties. This weekend the clocks went back so the nights will be drawing in. I’m not a lover of dark evenings, not so bad if it’s been a sunny day. The COP 20 begins in Glasgow let’s see what will happen.
In Africa a man called Father Godfrey Nzamujo has created a zero waste agricultural system, which enables people to feed themselves and creates employment. Father Godfrey started his method of farming thirty five years ago, he had one acre of land and some seeds. His aim was to rid the continent of Africa of famine. He had been dismayed by the devastating famine in Biafra, he was a priest and he also had a degree in microbiology from Harvard university. He knew Africa was capable of producing food, however the farming practices in place were not sustainable.
He devised a zero waste agricultural system that would produce organic food, increase food diversity, support the environment and create work.
He started his sustainable farm called Songhai in Benin, his farm copied natural ecosystems. The output from one area for example, animal waste would become fertiliser for crops. He said the idea was ancient but had stopped as developing countries moved onto synthetic fertiliser. His idea began on a small scale but his farm now employs more than 300 people.
Father Godfrey believes it’s success is based on his knowledge and spiritual roots. Songhai also offers teaching programs and people come from different parts of the world to learn. The Songhai method of farming has been adopted in different African countries. In a world that has millions of hungry people what a wonderful solution.
Research by UN scientists believe this model of farming is capable of producing as much food as conventional farming.
Bloggers have a good week keep warm over and out London













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Helping Elephants and People

 Hi bloggers hope that you’ve had a good week. In England the clocks go back this weekend and then it gets dark much earlier, the winter will be with us so I was delighted by some good news. Elephants an extremely endangered species due to many reasons, sadly most involving the behaviour of humans. I’m sad to say, they are staging a natural fight back. A major cause of the demise of elephants is due to them being hunted for their tusks. However the elephants seem to be staging a fight back. In Mozambique Gorongoza National Park tusk-less elephants have been found. One third of the younger females in the park born after 1992 have not developed tusks. Elephants do need tusks to enable them to get some food this might explain why the males are not becoming tusk less. Scientists are monitoring the situation closely.
There is another method being used to protect elephants in the Serengeti, the African Wildlife is using dogs called the K Nines to track poachers. There are only four trained dogs at the moment and the dogs and handles face many dangers undertaking their duties, both from the environment and the poachers. The K Nines have been extremely successful in reducing the number of elephants being slaughtered. Hurrah for evolution and dogs.
Helping humans who maybe suffering from anxiety, sadness or loneliness is a man called William Sieghart, he calls himself the Poetry Pharmacist. He often visits libraries and encourages people to tell them how they are feeling and he finds a poem that that can provide comfort and healing. People, he believes, love the idea of poetry but don’t know where to find a poem. Many people have found it extremely beneficial. What a wonderful thing to do for people.
Bloggers have a good week over and out London.

Living life with kindness at its centre.

Hope all is well with you and it’s not too cold, though from looking at the forecast it is very cold where you are. It’s grey here getting darker morning and evening in a few ten days the clocks go back so even darker. The autumn leaves are bringing a lot of colour so that is a cheery sight. I’ve been reading about two men different generations, nationality and life experiences, one living and one recently deceased. However what they had in common is the way they live their lives and and their commitment to being kind.
One of the men Eddie Jaku a Holocaust survivor died last week. He led a remarkable life and was considered a beacon of light. He spent his life teaching tolerance and respect, he dedicated his life to being kind. He had a book published when he was 100 years old last year, called the Happiest Man Alive. As a boy he had been to four concentration camps. He escaped and lived hidden in a cave, eventually he made a decision he would not live his life hating. He said “hate is a disease that may kill your enemy, but will destroy you.”
The other person I was reading about was Keanu Reeves, in his life he has experienced a lot of sadness and disruption. One of his most famous roles was starring in the matrix and he made a fortune, he gave millions of dollars to the people who worked behind on the film. He makes huge donations to charities always anonymously. He often volunteers in soup kitchens. He travels on public transport and avoids the razzmatazz that accompanies many film stars. He lives his life showing respect and kindness to others. What lovely people they are.
Bloggers have a good week over and out London.










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