Mangwende Orphan Care Trust – A Design Studio Case Study

by Gaia Education

10 February 2020

(For the full report, see the link below)

“The future of all people is linked with the condition of the land. If the people enrich the land the land will enrich them in return.

Permaculture gives a way of redesigning our communities, cities and habitats in a way that enhances nature our local economies and a healthy lifestyle.

If applied correctly, permaculture design can be used to solve many if not all our planets and species current problems.”

– Evans Mangwende

Programme Description Economic, social and environmental issues are interlinked and so require a common worldview to tackle them in an integrated way in order to address the questions of climate change and sustainability so that the needs of individuals, communities and the planet are met without compromising the conditions of survival for present and future life. While there is a pressing call to reduce worldwide consumerism, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and wastage of water and other natural resources, there are also a number of issues associated with rural disadvantaged communities in Zimbabwe with regards to the financial burden and the lack of access to appropriate education on sustainable practices. The mechanistic, reductionist and linear economic system destroyed the ecosystem and social integrity. Moving away from this dysfunctional pattern incentivises the emergence of an alternative mode of thinking and behaving, respectful of the intrinsic environmental and human rights. This way, nature and people can coexist to mutually profit from a thriving livelihood and long term viability.