Comments on: Confessions of a Permaculture Aid Worker, Episode 6 – David Spicer in Morocco

By: david spicer

david spicer — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:21:36 +0000

hey helen I think the trip up the mountains was powerful for every one just to realize what the locals have to go throw each day for the basic needs to survive
on the swales by hand would be great as you say educate and keep the money with in the comunity

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:56:32 +0000

About digging the swales … maybe funds would be better spent employing the local guys to dig by hand?

That would keep the project local, put money in their pockets AND help them to understand the principles of water management at the same time. It would also give them “ownership” of the work so maybe encourage them to maintain it, and extend it beyond the boundaries of the project.

It might be slow – and a nightmare to organise! – but have a longer term impact, perhaps? Learning by doing and then seeing the results.

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:35:05 +0000

Dave, great to hear that laugh again!

Yes the trip up the mountain on a donkey from the spring to the village was wonderful and showed us so clearly how hard things are for those people. Their water source has dried up so the borehole is essential and with swales they should be able to keep more water in the land. Will you be back to drive the JCB for them?

By: david spicer

david spicer — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:14:32 +0000

cheers Rob

great minds work a like they say ! today finished co-teaching PDC with Brad Lancaster in Palestine ,very rewarding work, will have up date on that and jordan soon

take care mate

By: Rob Avis

Rob Avis — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:01:37 +0000

David,

Glad to hear that things went so well for you! Your a Natural! Fair Dinkum!