Global Kinship
Our group was formed in
February 2005 by a group of villagers who became interested in
starting to plant new community woodland. We had an initial
meeting and from there a group of 7 formed a steering group.
We have since had a few more members join us.
We have made a number of enquiries into acquiring land but up to
now have had no success.
Although we have had no land we are a keen group who have a
strong relationship with the local school. We are undertaking The
Green Light “from seed to tree” education programme and the
children are enjoying it very much. We have a tree nursery in the
playground and a newsletter is sent out regularly with competitions
for the children and news for the parents.
We decided very early on that we would like to take part in the
Global Kinship project after a visit from the Green Light
Trust.
Ric came to see us and discussed the possibility. A sub group
was formed with 3 of us on.
We decided to choose Java in Indonesia as our possible Global
Kinship partner. We chose there because when we formed in February
2005 the Tsunami had just happened and was very clear in our minds.
We also thought that with the damage that had occurred they would
be rebuilding a lot of their landscapes.
We had our first meeting in October 2006, again with Ric, and
possible VSO’s were discussed. We also discussed the meaning of
Global Kinship.
Our definition of Global Kinship
- Global linking provides an opportunity to understand and
celebrate cultural differences and levels of dependence on the
environment
- The joining together with another country to look at
similarities and differences and the different environments and
cultures that we live in.
- A look at a different culture on a more personal and individual
level, to encourage children of both countries to forge
friendships, to learn about the environment, way of life and
culture of another country- an exciting adventure!
The main aims of a link
- A learning opportunity for both adults and children.
- Greater understanding and appreciation of the environment and
how closely another culture depends on it.
- The bringing together of two very different communities.
- To share news of our woodland project and to learn about any
similar projects in our linked country.
- To find out about the environmental problems in another
country
- For the children to find out about other countries and form
global friends for the future.
What we hope to gain from global kinship
- Greater global harmony i.e. spreading understanding of the fact
that whatever our particular circumstances we are all human
beings.
- What life is like for the Indonesian person and the problems
they face as a community especially after the
tsunami.