Letter from David Brower:
Today it can be announced that the Global CPR Corps is reborn, and I am
overjoyed. I have been trying to get this important effort for
Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration (CPR for the Earth) underway
since it was first discussed in a meeting in 1971.
In 1990 I ran a full-page-plus ad in the New York Times proclaiming the
need for an International Green Circle: "Just as the International Red
Cross repairs damage the earth wreaks on structures and people, the
International Green Circle would help repair the damage people and
structures have done to the earth and each other." The rest of the ad was
the text of a magnificent speech by Mikhail Gorbachev, who went on to found
a group called the International Green Cross, which later gave me an award.
So that name was taken already.
In 1993, I redoubled my efforts, and took out another full-page ad (I've
gotten in the habit over the years) announcing the formation of a group I
would come to call the Global CPR Service, which would send people all over
the world to do CPR projects. In 1994, we combined our existing ideas and
research with Rick Lathrop's Global Service Corps, which came on as a
project of Earth Island Institute. I had high hopes that someday Rick and
Global Service Corps would be ready to make the Global CPR Corps dream a
reality. Now after five years of hard work, that day has arrived!
For years I have been asking my audiences who among them would be willing
to devote a year of their life to healing the earth. I always got at least
two-thirds of the hands raised but never had any way to give them that
opportunity. Now that has changed!
Thanks to the money I received with the Blue Planet Prize last fall in
Japan, I have one last chance to get this idea in motion (we'll have to
hold the full-page ad for now!). Continuing Earth Island Institute's
growing tradition of supporting international environmental activism, we
have committed $10,000 of the prize money to help get Global Service Corps
set up to help American volunteers work on CPR projects in Kenya, and a
second $10,000 to set up a CPR program in Costa Rica. Continuing
improvement and also expansion of the program into other countries such as
Thailand (where we have active projects doing vital CPR work) depends on
the generosity of other donors who may wish to help match the Blue Planet
Prize contribution. The Global CPR Corps needs your support, if not with a
grant then as a participant in the program, doing the hands-on work of
Global CPR that the Earth so desperately needs. As former UN Environment
Program Director Dr. Noel Brown once said, "It's healing time on Earth!"
Won't you join us?
Sincerely,
David R. Brower
Founder and Chairman
Earth Island Institute
KENYA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FIELD PROGRAM
Inaugural Program of the David Brower Global CPR (Conservation,
Preservation, and Restoration) Corps
A Global Service Corps Short-Term or Long-Term Opportunity
Beginning July 5, 1999
This summer Global Service Corps (GSC), a project of Earth Island Institute, is initiating a Sustainable Agriculture Field Program in Eastern Kenya. This Program inaugurates the Global CPR (Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration) Corps, which was initially conceived by David R. Brower, preeminent international environmentalist. Mr. Brower, who was recently awarded the Blue Planet Prize for his environmental accomplishments, is currently the Chairman of Earth Island Institute. He also was the first Executive Director of the Sierra Club, founder of Friends of the Earth and Earth Island Institute, and three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Global Service Corps first began offering Kenya village-based programs in
1994 by teaching biointensive agriculture (BIA) to community members in the
Mumias area of Kenya's Western Province. BIA is a specialized form of
organic agriculture involving the use of double-dug beds, locally-available
crops, organic compost materials, crop diversification, intensive planting,
and water harvesting. The 1994 Kenya program included the development of a
BIA training workshop attended by both GSC participants and local community
members. These newly trained GSC participants and Kenyans then worked
together to provide two-day seminars for other community members in the
surrounding area. Over the course of three years, this program assisted in
the initiation of over 2,000 community garden plots as well as a community
BIA demonstration plot and training center. GSC is now planning to
replicate this highly successful program in the Kibwezi area (in Kenya's
Eastern Province) and is looking for participants with an interest in
small-scale sustainable agriculture to assist with the development of this
program.
What preparation/background do participants need?
Participants in the Kenya Sustainable Agriculture Field Program should be
interested in small-scale sustainable agriculture and local community
development, and be both eager and excited to learn and spread the word
about the benefits of biointensive agriculture. Previous training or
experience with gardening is not required, but would be useful.
Participants should also be prepared to immerse themselves in the Kenyan
culture, as a significant purpose of GSC is to provide participants with an
unforgettable cross-cultural and learning experience. College juniors and
seniors (who are at least 20 years old), recent graduates, and graduate
students are all encouraged to join us for the Kenya Sustainable
Agriculture Field Program.
What is the duration and itinerary for the project?
Students and others interested in the Sustainable Agriculture Field Program
may participate in either a short-term (four weeks) or long-term (at least
10 weeks) program option. All participants must take part in the
short-term program (July 5 - July 31, 1999), after which long-term
participants remain in Kenya for a minimum of two months. The program
begins with a two-day cultural and program orientation and a tour of
Nairobi. GSC participants then travel to Kibwezi and attend a three-day
biointensive agriculture training workshop. During the training,
participants learn alongside local villagers the theories and practices
associated with biointensive gardening, such as double digging, composting,
nursery bed preparation, water harvesting, and intensive planting. Other
topics discussed will include agricultural trends in Kenya, local community
development, zero-grazing dairy enterprises, and adapting biointensive
farming for arid areas. Participants will learn how to develop strategies
for communicating this knowledge to a variety of audiences. After the
training, volunteers will be placed in homestays in and around Kibwezi for
three weeks. Not only will participants work with Kenyan counterparts to
develop and deliver biointensive gardening demonstrations, they will also
experience day-to-day Kenyan village and family life. Participants will
also have the opportunity to visit local sustainable agriculture and
development projects, as well as numerous self-help and women's groups in
the Kibwezi area. The short-term program will conclude with either a final
celebration in Nairobi or a trip to one of Kenya's many celebrated game
reserves. Long-term participants will return to their homestays in Kibwezi
or nearby villages and continue to work more independently on their
sustainable agriculture projects.
Can students receive academic credit for this program?
GSC's programs are intensive and credit-worthy. Students are encouraged to
arrange for credit with their home institutions. GSC is in the process of
identifying academic partners who may offer transfer credit to students
from other universities. Please phone GSC for current information.
Who will be coordinating the program?
Jessica Goldberger, a doctoral student in rural sociology at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, will coordinate the short-term Kenya Sustainable
Agriculture Field Program. Jessica participated in the very first GSC
biointensive gardening project, which took place in western Kenya in 1994.
She also has experience with international agroforestry and small-scale
agriculture projects, which she gained while a Program Coordinator for the
New Forests Project (a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC).
Currently, Jessica is working on her Ph.D. dissertation research on
biointensive agriculture in rural Kenya. After the completion of the
short-term program, long-term participants will be supervised by GSC
in-country staff. Overall coordination of the GSC Kenya programs will be
provided by Kay Marten (M.A., Anthropology). Kay spent four years as
Director of the Friends World Program's undergraduate program in Kenya, and
has lived in Kenya with her husband since 1989.
To receive information about program fees, future sessions (October 1999
and beyond), and additional details, or about other GSC programs in Kenya,
Costa Rica, and Thailand, please contact Global Service Corps (see contact info below).
BIOINTENSIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN KENYA
Short-Term Project Opportunity from July 5 to July 31, 1999
The capital-intensive, mechanized agriculture associated with the Green
Revolution is a not a viable option for the world's resource-poor farmers.
Fifty years of the Green Revolution have led to numerous social, economic,
and environmental problems--problems that demand solutions grounded in a
new farming approach. Organic agriculture, with its focus on small-scale
farmers and concern for local sustainability, is one possible alternative
to capital-intensive, chemically-based, environmentally-destructive
farming techniques. Kenya is a country that is beginning to focus more
and more on sustainable, organic farming. This push towards organic
agriculture is originating at the local level, particularly through the
activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based
self-help groups, and farmers themselves.
Biointensive agriculture (BIA) is a specialized form of organic
agriculture involving the use of double-dug beds, locally-available crops,
organic compost materials, crop diversification, intensive planting, and
water harvesting. Global Service Corps initiated its village-based
programs in 1994 by teaching biointensive agriculture to community members
in the Mumias area of Kenya's Western Province. This program also included
the development of a BIA training session attended both by GSC
participants and local community members. These newly trained participants and Kenyans then worked together to provide two-day seminars for other
community members in the surrounding area. Over the course of three
years, this program assisted in the initiation of over 2000 community
garden plots as well as a community BIA demonstration plot and training
center. GSC is now planning to replicate this highly successful program
in the Kibwezi area (in Kenya's Eastern Province) and is looking for
participants with a background in small-scale sustainable agriculture to
assist with the development of this program.
Kenya is a country of breathtaking beauty, abundant wildlife, and
fascinating traditional cultures. For years, world travelers have flocked
to Kenya to get a glimpse of these natural treasures. Yet, the vast
majority of these travelers pass through the country without ever
appreciating what is at the heart of the Kenyan experience: the people.
GSC's Biointensive Agriculture Project provides the opportunity to
discover a different way to travel. As a GSC participant, you will have a
true intercultural experience by living and working with the people of
Kenya. You will learn first-hand about very different perspectives on
life, death, family, time, wealth, nature and religion. Best of all, you
will feel the sense of satisfaction that comes from giving something back
to these wonderful people who have given you so much.
PROJECT ITINERARY:
Monday, July 5 - Tuesday, July 6: The project officially begins at 9 a.m., July 5 at the Flora Hostel, a comfortable bed and breakfast facility near downtown Nairobi. (The project coordinator or GSC taxi driver will meet the GSC participants at the airport upon arrival. GSC will arrange for extra nights at the Flora if necessary.) After a leisurely breakfast each morning, you will spend time with the group becoming orientened to Nairobi and introduced to the project. Besides participating in group discussions about BIA, you will also enjoy a tour of Nairobi's many cultural and historic sights. During the tour you will experience the crowded and crazy
downtown, the active crafts markets, the poverty of the slums, and the opulence of the wealthy suburbs.
Wednesday, July 7: Travel by bus to Kibwezi, three hours east of Nairobi. You will be greeted by the warm hospitality of our local partners and some of the homestay families. Experience your first traditional rural Kenyan meal: ugali (corn meal porridge), sukuma wiki (kale), chapati (Indian
bread), and chicken or goat stew. Settle into a local guest house for a
five-night stay.
Thursday, July 8 - Saturday, July 10: Participate in biointensive
agriculture training facilitated by the GSC project coordinator and other
local agricultural trainers. These three days will give GSC participants
the opportunities to learn skills, ask questions, and develop a strategy
for the coming three weeks. You will discuss, among other topics,
agricultural trends in Kenya, soil fertility, the basics of biointensive
agriculture (double digging, composting, water harvesting, intensive
planting, etc.), zero-grazing dairy enterprises, and adapting biointensive
farming for arid areas. You will learn how to develop strategies for
communicating this knowledge to a variety of audiences.
Sunday, July 11: Enjoy a free day prior to moving in with your Kenyan
family. You may choose to explore Kibwezi or take a group hike to a
local place of interest.
Monday, July 12: Wave goodbye to your fellow GSC participants as you each travel to different villages or towns near Kibwezi where you will spend
the next three weeks working on various biointensive gardening projects.
Not to worry, you will be close by or with another GSC participant and will have plenty of opportunities to reunite with your new GSC friends during this time.
Tuesday, July 13 - Thursday, July 29: Work together with fellow GSC
participants and Kenyan counterparts to develop and deliver biointensive
gardening demonstrations. Many of your days will have prearranged
meetings with local schools, self-help groups, women's groups, and other
community members. Other ideas for spreading the word about biointensive
farming will come from you and your counterparts. Perhaps a church youth
group would like to have you come and talk, for instance. Upon arrival in
your village, you will meet with the local chief (a government position,
equivalent to perhaps a town mayor) and be introduced to school
officials in the area. Undoubtedly, these contacts will help you arrange
forums until you soon realize that you will not have the time to talk to
everyone who wants to listen.
Travel to other villages to share a Tusker (Kenyan beer) or a Coke with a
fellow GSC participant. Talk about your successes and your frustrations,
and learn from each other's experiences.
Immerse yourself in Kenyan culture while living with your new Kenyan
family. Develop a Kenyan's relaxed sense of time. Eat new foods and learn
new songs. Take long walks through the countryside, play football (don't
call it soccer) with local school kids, and spend hours gazing into the
night sky filled with more stars than you ever imagined could exist. Home
will feel very, very far away...and you won't miss it at all.
Friday, July 30: Join the other GSC participants for a final excursion to a nearby game park.
Saturday, July 31: Give your Kenyan family and friends one last hug good-bye before you go on your way. Return to Nairobi for a lively good-bye meal at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. Depart Kenya in the evening. Some
participants may opt to remain a few extra days in Kenya or head to exotic
destinations like Zanzibar or Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Project Fees:
The Fine Print...
Included in the cost of the trip:
- Pick-up from the airport.
- Meals and accommodation in Nairobi.
- Nairobi orientation/tour.
- Transportation to/from the project site.
- All meals and accommodation with a family in your village for the duration of the project.
- All in-country transportation.
Not included in the cost of the trip:
- Travel to and from Kenya.
- Visa charges.
- Health and evacuation insurance (required).
- Beverages not included in meals, such as alcoholic beverages.
- Any meals or beverages that you choose to take at a bar or restaurant during your homestay.
- Any personal items, including telephone calls.
- Personal travel or additional sightseeing that you choose to do during or after the project.
1999 BIA Project Schedule and Fees:
Short-Term Program Dates
July 5 - 31
October 4- 30
Short-Term Program Fee: $1795
Internship Program Dates
July 5 - September 13
October 4 - December 13
Internship Program Fee: $2520
Long-Term Program
Two to six month extensions after the Short-term program
Long-Term Monthly Fee: $495
ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How long has GSC been doing development work in Kenya?
A: GSC has been active in Kenya since the beginning of 1994. Throughout this
time, our work has involved both agricultural projects and health/AIDS
education. The specific projects that we are currently operating in
HIV/AIDS education were initiated at the beginning of 1997. The skill and
initiative of our participants, coupled with the experience of our Kenya
collaborators, has allowed these programs to grow very quickly. We are
continuously developing new projects and taking old projects in new directions. We look to the experience and creativity of our participants to develop new ways to make a positive contribution to the Kenyan people.
Q: How does GSC address the language barrier?
A: The people and culture of Kenya are composed of dozens of tribes,
resulting in dozens of native languages. However, English and Swahili are
the country's only official languages and are understood nationwide,
particularly in the larger towns. For years, English has been the language
of instruction in all of the public schools. As a result, the young and
the educated speak English well. Since much of GSC's work involves
the youth, language is not a problem. On those occasions where you
provide training to a group whose members do not speak English, you will be
accompanied by a Kenyan translator. Still, even a small investment of your
time in learning some Swahili will go a long way towards making a good
impression and enhancing your cultural experience.
Q: Who will I give biointensive agriculture seminars to? Will they be
arranged for me?
A: GSC's biointensive seminars are delivered to community groups, school
children, local farm households, and other interested community members.
We try to use every avenue at our disposal to inform people about
biointensive agriculture. This includes visiting with church groups,
accessing a vast network of women's groups, and calling village meetings.
Many of these meetings will be arranged for you in advance. However, we
will look to you to be proactive in arranging additional educational
forums in your area. As a visitor, you will attract the attention of the
entire community. You will find that gathering groups together to listen
to what you have to say will be easier than you imagined.
Q: What is the transportation like?
A: In short, we travel as the locals do, primarily by bus, matatu (minivans
or pick-up trucks that operate like buses), bike, or foot. Since we aim to
reach as many people as possible, our work often requires significant
amounts of local travel. Travel in Kenya can be rugged and the comforts
of home will seem far behind. Yet, the experience can be a real pleasure
if you have the right attitude. The matatu rides can be cramped and hot
but it is a true taste of a different culture and a window into how the
majority of Kenyans live. Kenyans often walk long distances to reach
their destination, and on occasion we do too. Though it can be tedious at
times, enjoying the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the relaxed pace
are all part of the African experience.
Q: What are the homestays like?
A: Our projects are centered in small villages with perhaps a couple thousand
residents in the surrounding area. The towns are relatively simple with
several stores and restaurants lining the main street. As you leave the
town center, the countryside becomes rural very quickly. You will live
with a family in or near the village where you will be participating. Kenyan
homes are simple and comfortable. They are most often made of cinder
block walls and tin roofs, with bedrooms, a small cooking area, and a central
sitting room where people relax and eat meals. In most cases you will be given your own bedroom. Electricity and running water are possibilities, but
should not be expected. You will soon find that eating by the light of a
lamp and bathing using a basin of hot water will become a pleasure. While
in the home, you will become a member of the family, socializing and
eating meals with rest of the family. Living with a Kenyan family is
perhaps the most amazing cultural experience you will have, providing
memories that will last a lifetime.
Q: Will I get sick when I am there?
A: In Africa, your body will be exposed to diseases that we do not have to
worry about at home. When you sign up as a participant, GSC will inform
you about the vaccinations that you will need to protect yourself in
Kenya. In addition, you will need to take two basic precautions: prevent
mosquito bites and avoid contaminated water. While this sounds impossible,
it is actually quite easy with just a little bit of effort and planning.
Still, the change in diet can cause an occasional upset stomach. But with
the proper precautions, this minor discomfort is the only illness you
should have to endure.
Q: Is being vegetarian a problem?
A: Not at all. Kenyan families provide their guests with first class
treatment (within their limited means), and will therefore expect to serve
you meat regularly, most likely goat or chicken. Being a vegetarian is a
foreign concept to Kenyans, but they understand that we come from a
different culture and will respect your needs. The Kenyan diet is full of
vegetarian dishes that are healthy and delicious. If you supplement your
diet with vitamins, remember to bring them with you.
Q: Is it safe to work and live in Kenya, particularly as a woman?
A: The combination of spreading poverty and the presence of wealthy travelers
has led to increased theft in the big cities like Nairobi and Mombasa.
Fortunately, this activity is limited almost exclusively to the cities and
can be avoided with a little common sense. Those who do fall victim to
crime most often find that they have only been relieved of some
possessions, but have suffered no significant physical harm. However, the
rural areas where GSC participants are placed are likely as safe, if not
safer, than what you experience at home. For obvious reasons, women do
have to be more cautious. Kenyans have a different sense of personal
space. As a result, you may at times feel uncomfortable with the amount
and type of attention you are getting. Coping with this type of discomfort
will certainly be one of the challenges of your intercultural experience.
However, in the vast majority of such cases, there is no threat to your
person or possessions. If you take appropriate caution, it is unlikely
that you will ever be in a situation that is unsafe.
Q: What about safety with respect to the current political situation and
reports of social unrest?
A: Kenya recently experienced a turbulent time during its second multi-party
democratic election in the country's history. The clash between rivaling
parties resulted in political demonstrations that occasionally turned violent. While this situation was terribly sad for the country, it did not pose a great threat to visitors. None of our project placements are operating in areas where the social tension was or presently is high. This unrest has
subsided now that the elections are over and opposing factions are now
peacefully discussing ways of resolving their differences. GSC continues
to monitor the situation through our contacts in Kenya and at the US State
Department. It is our shared belief that a well-informed and aware
traveler is able to have a safe and enjoyable journey to Kenya. For more
information on this issue please contact our office or refer to the travel
warnings on the web site of the US State Department [http://travel.state.gov].
Q: Can I be contacted in an emergency? Will I be safe if I have an emergency
in the village?
A: Yes. As most of our placements are in rural areas, regular contact with
your friends and family will take place through the mail. Once you are
settled in your village, you will learn of the telephone availability in
the area. However, in the case of an emergency, you can be reached
through the GSC office and Kenya in-country coordinator. In addition, the
towns where we work have adequate medical care to address most illnesses
that you might face while you are in Kenya. In the case of a more severe
emergency, travel to high-quality hospitals in Nairobi can be arranged.
Emergency evacuation insurance is required of all GSC participants. This
covers the cost of transportation should it be medically necessary to move
you back home and is essential in the very unlikely case of a dire
emergency.
For more information, contact:
Global Service Corps
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 788-3666 x128
Fax: (415) 788-7324
E-mail: gsc@earthisland.org
