Hi Anne,

Thanks so much for responding.

We are definitely interested in moving forward on some collaborative
level. I have long believed the SolaRoof is key component in developing
the IF&WMS.

Indeed we recieved word from a colleague about his work in making the
Integrated Farming & Waste Management System (IF&WMS) more suitable for
urban environments. A particular interest to us at this time is how we
might form a collaborative to develop a prototype for application in
Kibera a slum of nearly 1 million people located in Nairobi. His system
uses what is called aquaponics. While similar in process to the IF&WMS
it does not require large scale fishpond but instead is a channelized
system of tanks and pipes. I think the challenge is developing a compact
Integrated Farm System for addressing severe waste and hyginene
problems in urban slums.

It seems obvious what role SolaRoof could play in this process but more
relevantly how might we move towards the action oriented results you are
looking for?

.>I have promoted the Unity Centre concect from OneVillage Foundation in
many circumstances, and have long wanted to integrate this with Solaroof
for food security, potential fuel from algae, cheap and
compertable shelter for people, animas and plants, as well as the
farming methods of Dr George Chan (see
http://www.zeri.org/index.cfm?id=projectFiji), the revolutionary
biodigester from Organic Power
(http://www.organic-power.co.uk) and the use of neem as natural
medicine, fertiliser and inseciside (see http://www.neemfoundation.org).

I also wondering if you have any contacts with the groups mentioned
abve and are pursuing any form of collaboration with them (Organic Power
and Neem Foundation) towards developing an integrated approach using
SolaRoof?

>I am involved with the start-up of an NGO based in Ghana, and a
holistic ecovillage and spa concept for ecotourism run by an English
couple, but owned by the local village in The Gambia (great model for
replication!). I also have connections with the minister for local
governments and lands in The Gambia though the Norwegian Polytechnic
Society, Mr Sambou, who offered the Solaroof team land in The Gambia
for a development project.

OVF is all about replication, yet since we are not grant writers and
currently operate with limited resources, progress has been slow.
However I do feel I have slowly gained a stronger understanding of what
the foundations are looking for in terms of grant proposals. What I see
often missing is a strong team of committed people to make the project a
reality.

>I have also been in contact with Kennedy Onyango for a long time, and
very happy to see suggestions that Samuel and Kennedy should expore
working together.

In regards to Kennedy's comments about focusing on developing countries
I do feel it would be good to have a website or a section of a larger
website or possibly a section of the Our Culture Wiki dedicated to
piecing this together along these lines to aid in the implementation
process, considering the unique conditions present in particular in
relation to urban slums.

However OVF is pursuing both avenues concurrently seeing the need as
equally compelling to promote these systems regardless of whether one
sees oneself as living in a developed or a developing region. Indeed one
flaw with development practicioners advising people in developing
regions is that their lifestyles and approaches are not really that
advanced and so the idea of a serious approach to sustainable
development pushes this all into the open making the contradictions and
hypocrisy more obvious. The fact is that true sustainable development is
urgent for the future stability and prosperity of humanity and there is
a compelling need to address the problem of unsustainable economic
activities in all regions of the world.

>Therefore I would also be very interested in any contacts the group
have in The Gambia and Ghana in particular. Maybe there is others that
can benefit from knowing of each other's efforts towards
healthier, happier, sustainable and connected Communities.

OVF has not done any work in the Gambia. However we have invested
significant resources and time in Ghana. I am including Godfred Prebbie
in this email as he is managing the development of OVF's agricultural
operations in Ghana. He has just completed his studies in Ghana and has
a background in agribusiness.

We also would be willing to consider various efforts at collaboration in
both areas as well as considering how we might also build our existing
efforts in Kenya by starting a project in Kibera along the lines
mentioned above. Several months ago we met with the person aligned with
ZERI in Berkeley USA - Charles Kirabu - he is currently completing his
studies and is getting a PhD in energy engineering and has an interest
in returning to Kenya to promote appropriate technologies there. Nigeria
is another possibility.

> I would also like to make you aware of the African Union Summit in
the Gambia in July! I was hoping that we could get a Solaroof shelter
(5 meter diameter) to Banjul for the summit to get publicity for Open
Souce Solutions for Africa - the village mentioned above can host 35
people - how about trying to organise a stall in Banjul and a Global
Village organisatioal meeting in The Gambian ecovillage to coincide with
that?

Is the proposal to send the shelter as part of a demo being implemented
and funded? What are details for this? Is that a website showcasing this
project in detail with pics and graphics?

Unfortunately no one from OVF's core team will be able to make it to
this event at this time. Even if we had the funds, we would need time to
get the Visas.

I do feel a Global Village organizational meeting would need
considerable time to plan out and also require funding from a grant
making organization or generous and wealthy benefactor to make reality
(mainly to cover travel costs for those who cannot afford it). Franz
also mentioned his wish to have not just a European gathering but an
international one and to this we would need assistance for people to
travel to participate in the event with limited resources.

Yes I would like to know more about the Kartong Village and the current
status of operations there.

Anne I have included your direct email. You can respond to me privately
or publicly in repsonse to this email as you prefer.

I am very interested and committed to moving forward in considering
collaboration between SolaRoof and OVF.

Jeff

>
> If anyone wants further info in the village in
> Kartong, Solaroof or anything else, please feel free
> to contact me direct on anne@...
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Anne Wirstad
> London
>
>