THE GREENING THE DESERT INTERNSHIP

This is a four-week internship at the Dead Sea (or Jordan) Valley Permaculture Project (aka ‘Greening the Desert – the Sequel’) site. This small project is located in the village of Jawasari on less than 1 acre of ground.

Immerse yourself in a once in a lifetime experience. Come and join us, live and learn about permaculture in the lowest place on earth.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will be engaged in the ongoing development of the land as a demonstration site and education center.

This is an opportunity to experience a Permaculture Master Plan project in action and learn directly from its main designer Geoff Lawton while it is still in the establishment phase of construction. Part of the time you will be engaged in practical daily work while other parts of the program you will be learning theoretical aspects of applied permaculture.

PRACTICAL COURSE COMPONENTS WILL INCLUDE:

• Construction of multiple wicking bed roof gardens.
• Maintenance of existing food forests through chop’n’drop, pruning and mulching.
• Working closely with small animal systems as functional elements within the overarching design.
• Working with natural fertility systems with compost, compost tea, soil probiotics, natural fermentation and anaerobic natural fertiliser creations.
• Maintaining and working in desert vegetable gardens.
• Nursery and shade house work.
• Reed bed maintenance.
• Compost toilet maintenance.
• A field trip to observe established gabion water harvesting systems in the desert landscape.

SOME OF THE IN CLASS SUBJECTS THAT WE WILL COVER WILL BE:

• Home garden and school garden design and maintenance
• Food Forests
• Small animal systems
• Large grazing animal systems
• Water harvesting
• Broad landscape rehabilitation
• Constructing wicking beds
• Worm farms
• Grey water reed beds establishment
• Installing a solar system
• Rocket stoves
• Solar hot water systems
• Fuel wood systems
• House design
• Straw bale mudbrick building
• Compost production and compost tea
• Biological fertilizer
• Aquaponics
• Nursery systems

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

GEOFF LAWTON

Geoff Lawton is the main facilitator for this PDC course. He a Permaculture consultant, designer and teacher. He first took his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course with Bill Mollison in 1983. He holds a Diploma in Permaculture Education, Design, Implementation, System Establishment, Administration and Community Development given by the founder of Permaculture, Bill Mollison.

ADAM AFOULLOUSS

Adam grew up in Ireland, but his roots lie also in Morocco, in his early days he completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic but later found his passion for Permaculture. First starting his work in organic vegetable and fruit production in Spain and from there going on to completing a two year degree in Sustainable Horticulture and Permaculture in Ireland.

Adam then joined the Internship Team, designing, teaching and practicing permaculture at the Permaculture Research Institute under the management of Geoff and Nadia Lawton. There he gained his International Management Certificate and gained valuable experience managing a place like Zaytuna farm and working together with Geoff Lawton on Consultancies, Designs and Implementation. Learning also from many others who are leading the way in their field, like Paul Taylor, Graham Bell and David Spicer.

Adam is proud to say that he has a wide base of connections to draw upon to offer a high quality, his experience lies within the sub tropic and cold/warm temperate climate zones, his passion is visible in all aspects of his work, it has been said by many who have learned from him that his enthusiasm is incredibly contagious. Adam is now in the process of establishing one of the first Consultancy Services based in Europe which is recognised by the Permaculture Research Institute, offering Consultation, Design and Implementation work.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

ABOUT THE GREENING THE DESERT SITE

The site is located in the Al Jawfa area in western Jordan, Shouneh Janobieh (i.e., South Shouneh), in the Dead Sea Valley just 10km north of the Dead Sea and 6 km east of the Jordanian-Palestinian border, directly east of the West Bank.

The local population is made up of traditional Bedouin tribes and long-term refugees stemming from displacement of local populations from within Palestine. The project site is typical of the area – a marginal arid land low-income settlement. It is currently still under development and upon completion it will demonstrate energy-efficient appropriate housing with natural cooling systems and a plant nursery attachment, solar electricity, solar hot water, biological waste water treatment recycling, dry compost toilets, rain water harvesting earthworks and diverse interactive plant, animal and tree systems for local food production and processing. The demonstration house will function as a classroom and administration office for the project and local Permaculture group. Once established, the project will serve as a model that can be replicated within the village, throughout Jordan and other countries in the region.

The project, started in 2008, has already seen significant progress. The first trees were planted and are growing well and the first garden is producing some vegetables. Now, the water tank needs to be expanded, the fence and gate improved and the rest of the project started. The current focus is to set up basic living accommodations for volunteers coming to work on the project. PRI has the people power in place to move on this project, but is in great need of funds to purchase supplies. Any financial support is greatly appreciated. In this heightened time of great tragedy for the Palestinian people, this is something positive we can all do to directly affect their survival.

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

The Jordan Valley is home to an ancient and classical civilization that has had many cultures, traditions, and peoples cross through its land and also settle within. International students are requested to be culturally sensitive to the Islamic traditions and Muslim social protocol. A full orientation will be provided.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Open and receptive attitude toward cross cultural communication
• Willingness to ask questions whenever necessary
• Conservative attire is recommended
• Respecting cultural gender relations
• Sobriety at all times during the PDC course
• Respect for elders, religious traditions and practice, and community leaders
• Not photographing locals without permission, with cautionary emphasis on photographing local women and children

FOR MEN THIS WOULD INCLUDE:

• Respecting Muslim gender relation etiquette
• Wearing long shorts at least to the knee
• Wearing shirts at all times
• Not touching or shaking hands of Muslim women without explicit permission
• Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with wife or partner

FOR LADIES THIS WOULD INCLUDE:

• Showing respect for oneself
• Respecting Muslim gender relation etiquette
• Long skits or pants (Shorts considered offensive)
• Wearing shirts at all times
• Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with husband or partner

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING WITH YOU?

The climate during the course will be dry and warm although the extreme heat of the summer will have passed.

RECOMMENDED TO BRING:

• Sun Hat and sunglasses
• Good walking or working shoes
• Casual and comfortable clothing – natural fabrics recommended for coolness
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Your own bedding (sheets etc.)
• Ample supply of any needed medications
• Tent if needed (depending on accommodation option)
• Sleeping bag and hiking mattress if needed
• Sandals
• Personal toiletries

HOW TO ENROL

You can pay for your course now via Paypal or credit card by purchasing a ticket below, or you can contact us at [email protected]. All prices are in Australian dollars, including GST. An early bird discount is available if the course fee is paid 21 days prior to the course start date.

Prior to booking please read our refunds policy.