Dear People, Beste Mensen,

For the past three months i have been researching ecovillages abroad, as i would like to live in an intentional community with my children. So far i haven’t been able to find child-centred communities (except for one community in the UK). (Radical) Unschoolers/Autonomous Educators probably know what i mean! Although i think it is crucial and of utmost importance that we respect and protect the environment i am convinced that we as parents and other caretakers have to begin with our children. Children that are respected and treated seriously learn to treat others with respect, including the environment that we live in. Happy children (who will turn into happy adults) won’t feel the need to hurt others.

That is why i would like to take the initiative in setting up an intentional community where children matter more than the concept of an ecovillage.

Any warm country that is relatively safe - where it is possible to home-educate, and/or set up an alternative learning centre, where we could become permanent residents, where the land is not too expensive, and is high above sea-level and where it is possible to grow food and keep animals - would be fine. Whether it is Costa Rica, Ecuador or Panama, Italy, Morocco or South-Africa (The South African Government has recently agreed that sustainable eco living is the only way forward).

There is one challenge! I am a beginner as far as ecovillages are concerned. I have the means to buy some land, and i have good ideas, but no experience. That is why i am looking for people who know how to build simple houses (or at least know how to set up a yurt…), know their bit about organic gardening, how to manage waste, collect rainwater. Or who are just like so many of  us: highly motivated life-long learners. The village would also be welcoming single people or couples without children.

I would like to design this ecovillage as simply as possible, so that more people could become a part of it. I would also like it to be part of the wider (local) community.

I think that the radical unschooling movement is highly creative, has tons of potential and has experience with the principles of consensus (to find solutions that pleases everyone), which will help us build a community.

If you are interested in this adventure and/or you have information to share, or you simply wish to ask questions, please e-mail me:

soline@xs4all.nl

 For Dutch people: jullie kunnen mij ook bellen op 050 5491292.

 

If you would like to research communities on the Internet:

 http://www.ic.org/

 http://www.gen-europe.org/index.html

 http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/

 

Warm regards,

Soline Weidema

Groningen, The Netherlands