CARE FOR THE EARTH

Training for Environmental Responsibility

DESCRIPTION: Care for the Earth (CFE) is a community based environmental center, registered with the Ministry of Culture and Social Services, located in Rarieda District, 50 kilometers west of Kisumu, Kenya.

CFE’s 8-acre plot includes an arboretum of indigenous and exotic species, fruit and vegetable gardens, a variety of livestock, and a classroom with four separate cottages for small group seminars. These facilities are fully utilized in programs to educate rural citizens on environmental issues for the well-being and health of the local community, the country and indeed the world. Simple accommodations are available for up to fifteen visitors who might wish to spend a day or two for rest and reflection at the Center.

VISION: CFE is inspired and guided by two basic truths:

1) "The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and those who live there" (Ps.24:1). We do not own creation but we are stewards of God’s creation, commissioned to protect and care for it, thereby enabling the earth to sustain humanity and all living things.

2) Since all living things are vitally interconnected, the threat of global warming is a life issue and therefore central to responsible environmental stewardship.

MISSION: The Center endeavors to challenge all ethnic groups in Kenya to a profound conversion regarding all aspects of our endangered environment, with the firm expectation that Kenyans themselves will become an effective constituency for a national policy change, in an effort to encourage government to promote legislation to reduce pollution, foster sustainable use of natural resources and ensure respectful care of wildlife and its natural habitats.

OBJECTIVE: Embracing its vision and committed to its mission, CFE is dedicated to revitalizing Africa’s traditional understanding of and appreciation for Mother Earth and our relationship with her. The restoration of this basic core value is designed to instill a deeper awareness of the environment with a consequent turnabout in attitudes and action.

ACTIVITIES: The Center will achieve this objective by helping to shape personal lives in creation-friendly ways, such as encouraging the practice of effective recycling, conserving natural resources and celebrating the joy of contact with nature.

To inspire all participants to become actively engaged in this objective, CFE provides the following program activities:

Seminars, workshops, short courses and open field days for schools, youth groups, women’s groups and farmer’s associations.

Sensitizing local communities to the need to work with nature to provide their basic needs, e.g. harvesting water, soil conservation, non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers

Working together with other institutions and agencies to promote sound ecological and socio-economic activities in support of responsible environmental stewardship

Healthy maintenance of livestock and honey production: Modeling environmentally friendly methods of growing food crops and general horticultural management

WANT TO HELP US? Since CFE depends entirely on donations for all its on-site activities and outreach programs, we are most grateful for any financial assistance you may wish to designate for:

- Sponsoring a day workshop or seminar for groups of 30 adults ($350)

- Sponsoring a day field trip for classes of 60 school children ($300).

- Providing a stipend for a local volunteer for one year ($1000).

- Printing or purchase of educational materials, books, pamphlets, etc. on environmental issues.

- Contributing toward the purchase of technical equipment, e.g. camera, television, video equipment.

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Please make checks payable to: C.O.S.S. and send to:

fr. Bert Ebben, O.P.

Dominican Friars

304 E. Park Drive

Raleigh, NC 27605

Email: bertebben@hotmail.com

Tel: (919) 833-1893, ext. 225