Escuela Caracol is a Waldorf-inspired school in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala. Seeking to be part of the healing in a country still recovering from a 36 year long civil war where hundreds of schools were burned and many educational workers "disappeared", the pioneers of this school believe that Waldorf education can bring hope.

The school serves both an international community and the indigenous Mayan community. Classes are in Spanish, English and the local language. At the moment (2009) the school is mainly focused on the early years but has hopes of serving children from kindergarten through 6th grade. In a country where only 35% of children attend school past 3rd grade, this truly is a ray of hope.

They are currently seeking funding to build 2 new classrooms and a new kitchen to meet expectations of 50% increased enrollment.

They are also seeking financial sponsorship for indigenous children.

We are very excited to be developing a supportive relationship with Escuela Caracol and were thrilled when, in 2008, the children performed our adaption of the Grimm's fairy tale The Bremen Town Musicians (see the middle photograph).

For further details about the school and ways of supporting this project, please visit their website: www.escuelacaracol.org

"The Goderich Waldorf School is a tuition-free private school in Sierra Leone, the only Waldorf school in West Africa. It serves a population of children orphaned or displaced during Sierra Leone’s ten-year civil war, children who early in life learn to work for their survival, some as street vendors, others as prostitutes or drug dealers. The Goderich Waldorf School offers them not only primary education, but a safe haven where they can receive nutritious meals and medical care."

For more about the school, please see their website: www.goderichwaldorf.org

"We welcome help from anyone who would like to join us in helping the Goderich Waldorf School continue their work.

"Please contact us if you would like to organize a fundraising event on behalf of the school. All donations benefit the school directly to fund:

• Salaries for 8 teachers, 3 cooks, 1 watchman, 1 administrator
• Free, hot lunches 5 days a week for students
• Construction of a permanent school building
• Medical fees and first-aid supplies
• Operating expenses such as the rent for the temporary campus, water fees, and school supplies

"There are three organizations accepting donations on behalf of the Goderich Waldorf School:

1. The Dhana Trust, a UK charity (no. 1113122)
   Please call:  work+44 (0) 7792-613783  or email the Administrator,  Pema  Clark at:  noellena (at) yahoocom
2. Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners
   Visit them online at www.freunde-waldorf.de where you can make a donation designated for the Goderich Waldorf School.
3. RSF Social Finance
   Write a check to RSF Social Finance, 1002A O'Reilly Ave., San Francisco, CA 94129 USA and on the memo designate Goderich Waldorf School."

The Viroqua community were pleased last year to receive a visit from Gunther Hauk who spoke about his vision for Spikenard Farm.

Gunther taught biodynamic farming and gardening at Sunbridge College for many years and has done extensive work in the field of beekeeping. In 2002 he published Towards Saving the Honeybee.

Gunther's vision is of a large-scale biodynamic farm which, crucially, can also serve as a sanctuary for bees. That vision is now coming into reality.

"Since the heart of our farm is a honeybee sanctuary, some of our fields are devoted to creating a rotation of forage for these endangered insects. Also permanent wildflower and medicinal flowering herb fields will be established. Our bee forage acreage for now is planted on 17 acres but will probably increase with the size of the apiary. Teaching space will have to be built for the necessary outreach and workshops.

"Our vision includes not only a great diversity of crops and animals, educational programs for children and adults, but in the future therapeutic offerings as well as a number of value-added products (bread, cheeses, bee forage seed production).

"The larger biodynamic ideals, together with sound organic management laying the foundation for creating a place of healing will set this farm apart from many others in this country."

Financial support for this vital work is needed: you can even sponsor a beehive!

Find out more on their website: www.spikenardfarm.org

Fresh and radical perspectives on nature, science and technology.

"Mission: Nature around us is whole and interconnected. Though we are part of nature, we do not yet fathom her depths, and our actions do not embody her wisdom. A fundamental shift in our way of viewing the world is necessary if we would contribute to nature's unity rather than dissolution. At The Nature Institute, we develop new qualitative and holistic approaches to seeing and understanding nature and technology. Through research, publications, and educational programs we work to create a new paradigm that embraces nature's wisdom in shaping a sustainable and healthy future.

"Modern science has increasingly moved out of nature and into the laboratory, driven by a desire to find an underlying mechanistic basis of life. Despite all its success, this approach is one-sided and urgently calls for a counterbalancing movement toward nature. Only if we find ways of transforming our propensity to view and control nature in terms of parts and mechanisms, will we be able to see, value, and protect the integrity of nature and the interconnectedness of all things. This demands a contextual way of seeing."

We cannot express how highly we value the work of Craig Holdrege, Steve Talbott, Henrike Holdrege and the Nature Institute! We urge everyone to subscribe to their newsletter and to consider attending their many excellent classes and workshops. Those interested in computing and technology issues should also check out Steve Talbott's NetFuture newsletter.

You will find extensive information and food for thought on their website: www.natureinstitute.org