Teaching Communities to be Self Sufficient

400 Women From Villages Campaign Against Alcohol

The Beginning

The project was started in July 2009, with a target group of unemployed and disadvantaged women with families.

Teaching Communities to be Self Sufficient

The Home Gardening Project teaches community members to make organic home food gardens with resources they have access to (i.e. no or low cost) through a participative hands‐on three month introductory course. Breath Water Sound follow‐up is practiced at the start of each weekly lesson. Mandiseli Maseti facilitates work at the ground level in Makhaza, and youth leaders over the period of one year will be trained to run the courses themself.

Sustainability

Follow‐up support for gardeners will be made available with the aim of keeping them actively engaged for one year to provide guidance and encouragement through all seasons.

Testimonials

M.,
age 26
“I had decided to go back to my anti-depressants before this (The Art of Living) course, but now I don’t need them. I will practice these techniques every single day for the rest of my life. I only hope other people are lucky enough to take this course. It has given me more help than I could have ever imagined possible. Thank you.”

Course participant

“I’ve been suffering from a loss of concentration, weak memory and extreme anger. Now I feel as if something heavy has been lifted from my back.”

Course Participant

“I found that this training of breathing is so useful and its benefit shows when I do it. I feel that my heart is stronger and younger. When I can’t sleep I just do the breathing and I feel energy in all parts of my body.”

Dr. Venus

“I feel peace with myself and have less stress. I think if I continue with the practice, this feeling of peace will continue to grow.”

M. Ali Bankat

"Before this experience, I was sad, depressed and starting to lose hope because of the situation here in Iraq. Now, after only four days, I feel confident in myself – happier, have hopes and dreams again and I feel that life is so beautiful. I have started to love everyone and physically I have much more energy and am able to do more things. I want to thank you very much for helping all of us feel better.”