Kenya’s Daraja Academy

The primary purpose of the Hummingbird Project is to create sustainable systems using permaculture principles that enhance and benefit communities by educating and empowering individuals to improve quality of life and foster stewardship of the earth.

One day, a massive fire broke out in the forest, and all the animals, finding the flames coming ever closer, decided to save themselves. They rushed to the edge of the forest and watched, overwhelmed and feeling helpless, as the fire engulfed their home. That is, all animals except one: a hummingbird, who said, “I’m going to do something about the fire!” So she flew to the nearest stream and scooped up a drop of water in her beak and deposited it on the conflagration. Back and forth she flew from stream to the inferno, tireless and focused, without losing patience or speed. Each time she carried a droplet and let it fall on the flames. In the meantime, as the fire raged, the other animals looked on in amazement and disbelief. They were overwhelmed and dismayed. “You are too small,” they said to the hummingbird. “You cannot hope to put out the fire. What do you think you’re doing?” As she prepared to dive again, the hummingbird turned to the animals and nodded her head. “I’m doing the best I can!” And this is what we are called to do, no matter who or where we are, or what our capabilities. We are called to do the best we can! 

Wangari Maathai, Nairobi, April 2007

Dr. Vandana Shiva

The Hummingbird Project has collaborated with with Dr. Vandana Shiva and her Earth University, Bija Vidyapeeth.  THP will return to India this September to assist in the month-long organic farming A-Z course.  The Hummingbird Project will then assist in setting up two more soil biology labs in Orissa and Maharashtra.

http://www.navdanya.org/

http://www.navdanya.org/earth-university/courses-in-2012

The Hummingbird Project will continue it’s collaboration with Daraja Academy.

http://daraja-academy.org/