The Gambia
An umbrella organization that coordinates “The People’s Coast” – a consortium of 11 villages threatened by climate change.
SAMPLE COURSE TOPICS
- Local Solutions to Global Warming
- Leadership in Community
- Green Building and Architecture
- Renewable Energy
- Ecotourism
- Local Economies & Right Livelihood
- Environmental Ethics
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
- Compressed Earth Bricks
- Rocket Stoves
- Micro-organism Production
- Soap Making
- Biochar
- Permaculture & Natural Gardening
- Fruit Drying and Food Processing
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
- African Dancing and Drumming
- Ramadan, Eid; Korateh, Tabaski
- Wrestling
- Naming and marriage ceremonies
- Musical/dance events in most villages
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION:
The Sandele Foundation was established by the Sandele Eco-Retreat and Learning Centre – a boutique hotel with a twin vision of promoting eco-tourism and community development. The Sandele Foundation is an umbrella organisation that coordinates the ecovillage development of 11 villages that form The People’s Coast Ecovillage Network (PECEN). Each village is independent and has its own governance structure and organisation. The vision of PECEN is to be a network of villages, all in membership of the Global Ecovillage Network, that provide increased levels of employment, establish small scale, local businesses and improve the social and cultural life of the village people while, at the same time, addressing the ecological needs of the area in which each village is situated.