"BLI Cannot Be Uprooted"
“Bethany Land Institute Came here to stay; you cannot uproot it.” These powerful words by Father Mathias set the tone for this summer's Community Ambassador Training hosted by Bethany Land Institute for members of Nandere Parish. The training was not just an event; it was a transformative experience rooted in faith and sustainability. This training echoed BLI’s deep commitment to the environment inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’.
The training brought together diverse community members eager to learn and implement sustainable agriculture on their own land. The atmosphere was open and interactive, with many questions and rich discussions. Participants even created a song together, which you can listen to here:
The various participants expressed interest in multiple of BLI's current projects. One woman shared that after the first day’s session on soil and manure management, a light switch went off in her mind. She immediately went home after the session and began her very own natural fertilizer compost. Another participant, fascinated by pig farming, was amazed by BLI’s Fermented Bed Technology (FBT), which reduces labor by allowing pigs to self-manage their environment, resulting in a healthier and less time-consuming process. Another man was particularly impressed by the Black Soldier Fly project, recognizing it as an innovative and cost-effective way to provide protein and nutrients for chickens and offering a sustainable solution for feed.
These community ambassadors plan to take these lessons with them as they continue to spread integral ecology in their own villages.