Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge; Cultural Immersion and the Permaculture Eco Lodge
Location
SFEL integrates an Eco-lodge, Permaculture farm and training facility and offers “Cultural Immersion Programs” (CIPs). It is located in Konso Woreda, renowned for its unique culture and sophisticated agricultural system. The lodge is built in the local style, by local people, using traditional materials, so that it resembles a Konso village; a proud display of the local culture for Konso, Ethiopia and all who pass by. Secondly SFEL promotes community participation in tourism through CIPs; which include trekking, community based activities and cultural lectures (covering language, history, folk-law, religion, ecology, agriculture, ethno-botany and geography) and traditional skills ...
About You
Contact Information
Title
Mr.
First name
Alex
Last name
Mccausland
Your job title
Director
Name of your organization
Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge
Organization type
Business
Annual budget/currency
Annual Budget/Currency
Mailing address
PO Box 14 Karat Konso SNNPRS Ethiopia
Telephone number
00 251 912 21 46 87
Postal/Zip Code
Country
Ethiopia
Website
Email address
Alternative email address
Your idea
This will be the address used to plot your entry on the map.
Street Address
new, kebele 02
City
Konso
State/Province
SNNPRS
Postal/Zip Code
Country
Ethiopia
Geotourism Challenge Addressed by Entrant
Quality of tourist experience and educational benefit to tourists , Quality of benefit to residents for the destination , Quality of tourism management by destination leadership , Quality of stewardship of the destination.
Organization size
Small (1 to 100 employees)
Indicate sector in which you principally work
Tourism-related business
Year innovation began
2008
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Indicate sector in which you principally work
Living culture.
Name Your Project
Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge; Cultural Immersion and the Permaculture Eco Lodge
Describe Your Idea
SFEL integrates an Eco-lodge, Permaculture farm and training facility and offers “Cultural Immersion Programs” (CIPs). It is located in Konso Woreda, renowned for its unique culture and sophisticated agricultural system. The lodge is built in the local style, by local people, using traditional materials, so that it resembles a Konso village; a proud display of the local culture for Konso, Ethiopia and all who pass by. Secondly SFEL promotes community participation in tourism through CIPs; which include trekking, community based activities and cultural lectures (covering language, history, folk-law, religion, ecology, agriculture, ethno-botany and geography) and traditional skills ...
Innovation
What is the goal of your innovation? Please describe in one sentence the kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.
To promote food security in Konso through Permaculture training and facilitation of community participation in tourism as an alternative livelihood.
Please write an overview of your project. Include how your approach supports or embodies geotourism or destination stewardship. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the map located on the competition homepage.
SFEL integrates an Eco-lodge, Permaculture farm and training facility and offers “Cultural Immersion Programs” (CIPs). It is located in Konso Woreda, renowned for its unique culture and sophisticated agricultural system. The lodge is built in the local style, by local people, using traditional materials, so that it resembles a Konso village; a proud display of the local culture for Konso, Ethiopia and all who pass by. Secondly SFEL promotes community participation in tourism through CIPs; which include trekking, community based activities and cultural lectures (covering language, history, folk-law, religion, ecology, agriculture, ethno-botany and geography) and traditional skills workshops, all lead by locals. By establishing new trekking routes, training and consulting local guides and cultivating community contacts, we promote alternative income for the community; handicrafts production and traditional skills; (pottery, weaving, smithery, wood working, dance and music, traditional healing etc.) Hence we improve financial benefit for the community from their own culture, encouraging them to maintain it and maintain their pride in it. Our Permaculture training meanwhile contains sections on the indigenous agricultural system of Konso, and evaluates its strengths and weaknesses in light of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) methodology, taught to both local people and foreigners.
Explain in detail why your approach is innovative
We are innovative because we combine multiple approaches to promoting food security in our area, providing opportunities for both visitors and the community to participate. Both see our farm in action as a working demonstration of Permaculture (PC) (the first in Ethiopia). Both may participate on our PDCs and visitors may go on to undertake volunteering activities in the area. Locals also participate to gain better understanding of ecological systems and their sustainable management for food production; water, waste, soil, fuel and energy management. We are also developing alternative sources of income for the society through increasing community participation in tourism, which is currently very low in Konso, despite large numbers of tourists already visiting the area. Establishing more activities for visitors, rooted in the local culture, will encourage tourists to spend more time and money there. Conversely, improving the benefit of the community from tourism improves their perception of tourists, which is currently very bad. We are innovating here, since most tour operators do not seek community benefit, but simply seek profits. Konso suffers from droughts and food shortages every 10 years, on average (UNDP, 1999)
Impact
Describe the degree of success you have had to date. How do you measure, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the impact on sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How has it transformed or contributed to the power of place or demonstrated the sustainability of tourism? How does your approach minimize negative impacts?
• Trained 50 PDC participants and begun follow-up initiatives in 8 Konso schools, exposing around 8000 children to PC, as well as parents at open days and competitions, promoting improved environmental awareness and resource management skills for the Konso community.
• Held one (pilot) CIP for 5 customers with success (video available). We have extensively planned trails, logistical support and community contacts for further CIPs of two weeks and longer.
• Held cultural music and dance festival for lodge opening; heavily attended by 1000+ community. Elders offered blessing and future cooperation, indicating strong community support and pride in the display of Konso culture.
• Our approach increases community participation and financial rewards accruing to village grass roots (40-60% of cost price of tours), improving community perception, hence cultural pride and willingness to welcome foreigners. However, assistance sought for improving professional standard of tour operation, while maintaining respectful approach. Understanding of the inherent value of indigenous cultures (v.s. commercial value) is lacking in the Ethiopian tourism industry.
• Negative impacts minimised by:
- induction of guides on environmental and cultural awareness (e.g. littering)
- pre-briefings of tourists on appropriate behaviours (e.g. not giving out money/sweets which encourages begging and hassling)
In what ways are local residents actively involved in your work, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?
Local residents are involved through: 1) direct employment: staff of lodge and farm 2) participants and trainees of Permaculture design training and follow up initiatives 3) Service providers for tours and CIPs (guides, hosts, artisans, petty caterers. Community response is very positive; dancing teams came from 5 surrounding villages, competed in the lodge’s opening festival (1000+ people); prizes awarded; judged by key community members. Elders attended, offered blessing and pledge of cooperation for future, indicating strong community support and pride in the display of Konso culture. Fantastic video footage and photos obtained for international promotion.
How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?
Our Permaculture activities give SFEL a strong positive image with the community. More CITs have been booked and we are now beginning international promotion. For CIPs all prices and payments are agreed to previously, removing scope for disagreement. Pre-briefings to community contacts control kids and curb begging. Visitors learn greetings and basic expressions in the local language and participate directly in community activities e.g. volunteering. Our approach promotes improved visitor-community relations; they behave more responsibly and accordingly are treated more respectfully. Both see the money go directly to the community, improving the relationship and thus enjoyment for both.
Describe how your work helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area's cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues.
Both our CITs and PDCs give in-depth information on local agricultural system, Konso’s terracing, climactic and ecological conditions. The PDC usually goes into more detail, addressing issues such as alternative energy sources (e.g. solar cookers, wood saving stoves) to reduce deforestation and women’s labour burden (biogas is planned in the future), composting toilets (improve community sanitation), grey water systems, roof rain catchment. Working examples of these on the site are seen and used by guests. Partnerships with NGOs are planned (eg ROSA program) to spread these innovations into the surrounding villages. Our tours will also visit these working in-community examples.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.
To date; all personal finance. So far around £43,000 invested in total. The business is now covering running costs. Another £15,000 will see project to the end of development Phase II; vehicle purchase, import and installation of solar electric system, completion of showers and toilets, staff accommodation, store-reception block, website launch – i.e. full operation of lodge at capacity of 30 (however, accommodating students as well as guests). A third Phase of development is also planned (see Q4). Annual budget currently around £20,000 and turnover around £25,000 but expected to significantly increase with completion of Phase II (projected to at least £40,000 as the larger tour operators begin using our services and our tours and PDCs are established and marketed internationally through the web-site. Full time staff currently 15, part time around 5 though variable, volunteers usually 1 to 3.
Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? Is there a potential demand for your innovation?
SFEL’s financial stability is assured because: income streams come from each department (lodge, tours and Permaculture). The farm supports the restaurant, cuts costs and is a demonstration site for the Permaculture. The lodge attracts guests, who may go on to participate on tours, or in the Permaculture, also acting as logistical support base for both, cutting on costs. This innovation is applicable anywhere there is interesting local culture or area of natural beauty. Permaculture promotes self sufficiency, so “Permaculture lodges” may operate in areas where other lodges can’t, since they need to import materials, which could be produced on-site.
What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having greater impact?
The major barrier in management is lack of human resources – English language comprehension, accounting skills, professional standards and work ethic, are all poor in Ethiopia (by African standards), even among university graduates. Barriers in implementation have included a lack of reliable services (communications, electricity, transport), price discrimination against foreigners (in materials purchase and transport), corruption and lack of action by government in implementing basic services to the project (fixed line phone and electricity are under application for over a year now). However, the major barrier to us having a larger impact, at this stage, is lack of funds for investment to develop our capacity and provide fully up to standard services to satisfy all customer categories, including the larger tour operators which work in the area. Once that is achieved and operation at full capacity is realized, the power of the project (and the place it represents) to effect change will be greatly enhanced. Replication too can be achieved any place where there is land and a market, provided capital is available.
What is your plan to expand or further develop your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.
SFEL development Phase III: Mora Restaurant (Konso community house); dairy housing with associated biogas digester (first model in Konso, replicable in villages); accommodation for PDC students. Major barriers; lack of funds, expertise for design and implementation.
Expansion of Permaculture Activities by SFEL: local cooperatives for micro-food-processing-industries (value-chain development), based on available crops (e.g. Moring seed). Appropriate technology production; fuel and labour saving appliances.
PC Eco-Lodge and CIP Concept: Cultural eco-lodges traversing agro-climactic zones and local cultures across southern Ethiopia (56 ethnicities in the SNNPRS) representing each culture, running CIPs and PDCs; imparting cultural and ecological stewardship in each locality.
The Story
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.
2000-2003 BA: Biological Sciences (2.1) (Merton College, Oxford)
2004-2005 Post-grad diploma: Economics (SOAS, London)
2005-2006 Travelled widely in Europe, Middle-East and North-Africa working on farms, learning languages and visiting cultural attractions.
2007
Jan-March Permaculture Design Course (3 Months) Catalunya, Spain.
April Returned to Ethiopia, began research phase of project development.
June Received investment license (Ethiopian Investment Agency)
August Began implementation on SFEL project site in Konso.
2008 Worked on development of SFEL; construction, farm development, documentation, accounting, business development, recruiting, networking and publicity.
Hosted 4 PDCs (lead by Rosemary Morrow and Tichafa Makovere)
December SFEL opened with Konso music festival.
What is the origin of your innovation? Tell the Changemakers and media communities what prompted you to start this initiative.
SFEL grew out of a long held desire, as a traveler, to bridge the gap between the traveler and the local community, while assisting local grass roots development. I had originally trained as an ecologist, but found scientific academia to be sterile and inaccessible to most people. Then I discovered Permaculture; a system of design for addressing human needs by harnessing and promoting, not opposing and destroying, ecological processes. Permaculture offers a solution to both the over-consumption of the west and the under-consumption of the developing world, so is just as relevant to the Westerner as the African. On this basis I knew that incorporating Permaculture into an eco-tourism project could produce a fantastic result. In 2005 and 2006 I travelled widely in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa searching for a likely location for a project. Six months on the road, I came across Ethiopia. Rising from the desert wastes of Sudan, came the massive rolling climes of a green and fertile land, completely at odds with our western misconception. Yet, with GDP among the lowest in Africa and rampant poverty persisting, Ethiopia is a land of huge untapped potential. Permaculture offers to unlock that potential.
SFEL brings the international community of travelers and the international Permaculture movement into the cause of introducing PC into Ethiopia. By combining eco-tourism into the project it gives people different options on how to participate: They can come as tourists and experience the local farming culture, enjoy it for what it is, and contribute in cash by paying for our services; Or they can stay on with us and participate in our initiatives on the ground, contribute their skills and knowledge to the cause of assisting local community development by volunteering; Or they can themselves learn Permaculture. Furthermore, through our Cultural Immersion Programs, we seek to get visitors to spend longer in Konso, go deeper into the culture, learn more about its norms and etiquettes, learn basic greetings, partake in a range of activities and interact directly with the Konso villagers in a meaningful way to promote mutual respect.
In August 2007 I was granted a 25 year lease on the 2Ha plot of land that would become SFEL and we began working on the site. In December 2008 we formally opened with a large cultural music festival. Many people participated in realizing this fantastic project, which grew out of one traveler’s daydreams. It has been a lot of hard work, sweat and blisters to get this far, but when we saw over 1000 local people turn up at our official opening, singing dancing and making merry in celebration of what we had all achieved, we all knew it had been worth it. So far we have hosted 4 Permaculture Design Courses and begun follow up initiatives in 8 Konso schools. There remains much work to do, but now at least we know it can really work and we have the support of the community behind us.
Describe some unique tourist experiences that your approach provides. Be specific; give illustrative examples.
Our Cultural Immersion Programs combine:
(1) Lectures on the local culture, language, history, agriculture and ecology, geography and folk-law. Our main lecturer, Korra Gara is a respected author and authority on Konso culture (from Konso). (We focus on language to encourage communication)
(2) Workshops in local traditional skills, including; dry-stone walling, cotton-spinning, pottery, music and dance and cookery. Workshops are lead by local crafts people.
(3) Treks to the villages to see the living practice of these and other traditional activities by the community. Our guests are thoroughly pre-briefed on the local culture, customs and how they should behave to promote respect and understanding between them and the community. They have a go at local trades and crafts on our site, then trek into the villages to see the real thing.
(4) They can even participate in farm-work and Permaculture related activities on our community initiatives. In South Ethiopia there have been many reports of the “human safari” syndrome (as reported by www.Mursi.org), but by making visitors go deeper into the culture, we insure mutual respect between human beings, not just a “real” version of a magazine.
What types of partnerships or professional development would be most beneficial in spreading your innovation?
SFEL’s Cultural Immersion Program currently requires an intern/consultant to develop upon plans emerging from our extensive research and community contacts and induct local guides on outcomes, including appropriate customer, community and environmental care. Once fully developed, experience sharing workshops and shadowing will allow other guides/operators to take on our approach elsewhere.
Regarding Permaculture; the 72h PDC is the standard induction into the PC movement, given to lodge/hotel owners and staff, it allows them to implement PC on their own sites. To coordinate and represent the Ethiopian movement a national Permaculture Association requires a full-time secretary/coordinator for administration, at least initially.
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 | Strawberry Fields said: Dear Andychun, Dan has left the project for now though we hope he will return one day. However we have a resident PC trainer and ... about this Competition Entry. - 978 days ago read more > |
| Strawberry Fields said: Dear Andychun, Dan has left the project for now though we hope he will return one day. However we have a resident PC trainer and ... about this Competition Entry. - 978 days ago read more > |
| maireaddundas said: I've always been interested with permaculture farming. I would love to visit Strawberry Fields Ecolodge for more info about it. Dr. Dan ... about this Competition Entry. - 978 days ago read more > |
| Strawberry Fields said: Hi there Ariene, Thanks for your questions, the word limits make it hard to get it all in there, so we can go over your questions here: ... about this Competition Entry. - 1012 days ago read more > |
| dpalmer said: I spent two months at Strawberry Fields Ecolodge in May-June 2008, helping facilitate two permaculture design courses, compost-making ... about this Competition Entry. - 1013 days ago read more > |
| dombrown said: Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge is a truly inspiring place. It not only bring hope to the people of Konso in Ethiopia, but more importantly ... about this Competition Entry. - 1013 days ago read more > |
| Global Citizens... said: This is really an awesome initiative! It is great to see your organization is helping Karat Konso Ethiopia and the well being of their ... about this Competition Entry. - 1015 days ago read more > |
| arig said: Sounds like a great entry. I think a great addition to it would be to explain a bit more about what permaculture farming is so that ... about this Competition Entry. - 1028 days ago read more > |
| sarahdavis said: Strawberry Fields Eco-Lodge is a beautiful expression of respect for the Konso people and culture. The world-famous stone terracing, the ... about this Competition Entry. - 1036 days ago read more > |
| Strawberry Fields submitted this idea. - 1065 days ago |
Comments
Strawberry Fields Eco-Lodge is a beautiful expression of respect for the Konso people and culture. The world-famous stone terracing, the authentic tukuls made with traditional materials and methods and the unique and delicious food grown the Permaculture Demonstration Garden and cooked by local skilled women are just a couple of things that make it an out-of-this-world (or, at least, out of MY world) experience.
In April of 2008, I arrived at Strawberry Fields Eco-Lodge as a first-time "Third World" traveler and was welcomed heartily and shown overwhelming hospitality. After a month-long stay which included guided tours of villages, the opportunity to work on the farm with the local women and a Permaculture Design Course of which I was the first graduate in Ethiopia, I left Konso with a profound appreciation of their culture and a deep desire to return.
Sounds like a great entry. I think a great addition to it would be to explain a bit more about what permaculture farming is so that people can understand why it is such an important part of this organization. Also, in the personal bio part it would be a great addition to hear a bit more about Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge got started.
This is really an awesome initiative! It is great to see your organization is helping Karat Konso Ethiopia and the well being of their standard of living. I heard about Konso Ethiopia back in 2000 and it is great to see that an organization has stepped up and helped develop that community. I love that your company is not just taking travelers there to do work and then leave, but you are training the community to learn and be able to take care of themselves even when tourist and your organizations are gone. The unique trait I like about your org is that is has a twist, which is promoting food security in Konso and not just building homes or schools but really aiming to help people learn how to take care of themselves to live!
Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge is a truly inspiring place. It not only bring hope to the people of Konso in Ethiopia, but more importantly inspires others to make positive sustainable change.
The world is going through major changes at the moment, both environmentally and sociologically, and a scheme like this which encourages sustainability through a practise such as permaculture should be widely endorsed. The positive effects of such a project will be felt both in Konso, and in other parts of the world. In short, it has the capacity to inspire others to make positive change in the world. It is for this reason that Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge gets my vote
I spent two months at Strawberry Fields Ecolodge in May-June 2008, helping facilitate two permaculture design courses, compost-making workshops, and with some earthworks design and implementation for harvesting, channeling and soaking in rainwater runoff for tree production.
This project is amazing, an oasis of a food garden drawing much interest and support from the local community. By employing local people, selling vegetables to local people, providing free education to local people, and coordinating ethical, environmental tourism activities in Konso the project is and will continue to make a significantly positive impact on the lives of the magnificent Konso people in a way that so many development aid projects I witnessed in my time in Ethiopia have and presumably will continue to fail to do.
Regards,
Dr Dan Palmer, PDC.
Director
http://www.VeryEdibleGardens.com/
Melbourne
Australia
Hi there Ariene,
Thanks for your questions, the word limits make it hard to get it all in there, so we can go over your questions here:
“it would be to explain a bit more about what permaculture farming is so that people can understand why it is such an important part of this organization”
Permaculture is the design of ecological systems to support human life and design of human life to fit within ecological systems without degrading them. It is an applied design science which integrates Ecology, Agriculture, Energy, Water and Waste Management. For the impoverished farming communities of Africa Permaculture offers an answer to the twin problems of food insecurity and environmental degradation; brought about by population growth, deforestation, soil erosion and over-grazing. It includes the design of nutrition gardens for rural and urban communities, nursery establishment and operation, seed bank operation, soil building and ecological conservation through food production.
Our course curriculum covers:
? Ecology as the basis of Permaculture
? Resource Assessment
? Principles of Design
? Soils
? Uses of Plants and Herbs in Permaculture
? Nature Patterns
? Productive Landscape Design
? Productivity and Sustainability
? Self-sufficiency and Appropriate Technology
We follow up on this training by implementing in schools and are currently working in 3 schools in Konso in partnership with Save the Children Finland, an international NGO.
“it would be a great addition to hear a bit more about Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge got started.”
SFEL was started off with the director’s personal funds. He was a naive liberal white boy with a penchant for travel and a bit of cash in the bank. He came to Ethiopia in 1997, found a site and got down to work. Various people have come along to get involved in his mission, for various different reasons, along the way. Key players in the formation of SFEL as it stands today have been: Mr Alimeldin Abdurahman Galgal from Sudan, Mr Perinpranathan Nirupan from the UK, Mr Guy Rees from the UK, Mr Bojok Beltran from the Philippines and Mrs Rosemary Morrow from Australia. A host of other people have come in and had their input along the way including local characters, volunteers and other’s most recently Mr Ticafa Makovere from Zimbabwe has arrived on the scene as our resident Permaculturalist, and has contributed wonders to the project in recent months. SFEL finally began business in December 2009 and we kicked off with a Konso cultural music festival which was joyfully attended by well over 500 locals (and a few foreigners). Now we are working on steadily upgrading our services and improving our facilities. SFEL’s growth is an organic process which continues and relies on the continued input of volunteers, friends and active professionals.
I've always been interested with permaculture farming. I would love to visit Strawberry Fields Ecolodge for more info about it. Dr. Dan Palmer, is there any chance that you will conduct another project in there this year?
Dear Andychun,
Dan has left the project for now though we hope he will return one day. However we have a resident PC trainer and consultant who is implementing Permaculture here and in the local schools. We can also run PDCs for foreigners such as yourself. Please refer to these pages for more information:
http://zionbytheabbay (dot) blogspot (dot) com/
www.permalodge.org
Dear Andychun,
Dan has left the project for now though we hope he will return one day. However we have a resident PC trainer and consultant who is implementing Permaculture here and in the local schools. We can also run PDCs for foreigners such as yourself. Please refer to these pages for more information:
http://zionbytheabbay (dot) blogspot (dot) com/
www.permalodge.org