72h Permaculture Design Course, Konso, Ethiopia:

Certified under the PRI’s Master Plan This PDC will take place in Konso, south Ethiopia, from February 13th to 26th 2012, at Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge. It will have a special focus on the application of Permaculture to communities in the developing world and low tech solutions to food establishment in rural and urban schools and communities drawing inspiration from established projects in a range of locations and climate zones around the country.

Facilitators: Tichafa Makovere and Alex McCausland

Dates: December 5th to 18th, 2011

Location: Konso, South Ethiopia

Venue: Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge

Cost: US$650 ($500 for Ethiopians)

Includes: course fees, food and accommodation for the period of the course

Excludes: Transport, accommodation in Addis, travel insurance etc.

The Course This PDC will be lead by Alex McCausland, Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge’s founder and director, and Tichafa Makovere, a veteran consultant and trainer of the Schools and Colleges Outreach Permaculture Program (SCOPE), with 17 years experience working and training in Permaculture around southern and eastern Africa.

This PDC is of particular relevance for those interested in rural development and indigenous communities in Africa and the wider 3rd world. The focus is on appropriate technology, soil and water harvesting, indigenous knowledge systems and Permaculture in schools. Schools are a key focus point for the communities and a chance to influence the coming generation to shift away from the mentality of dependence on aid towards self sufficiency and sustainable resource use.