The story of Eco Hope
Sr
Angelika (OP) send us this story of the Eco Hope project which was established
at the premises of the Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre:
Some
of you might have known Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre from the years of the
struggle. It was then the training centre for trade unions, civics, student movements.
When democracy arrived the facilities were no longer sufficient for the new
aspirations that emerged in the hearts of many. WFC also sheltered the many farm
workers that, encouraged by the PAC, went on strike and consequently had to find
a future in greener pastures. Initially such pastures implied WFC. However, the
payment for sheltering these courageous activists never arrived from the PAC.
Earthkeeping includes people keeping and then leads at times to choices that,
inspired by compassion, do not lead to financial well-being. While the earth is
never deceptive by intent, people can be.
Wilgespruit
then had a hard time to defend its beautiful land against the eyes and the mind
of greedy developers. After a long struggle by only a few of us who hang on to
the land the way a dog hangs on to a contested piece of juicy meat, we are
slowly seeing the light. It is the beginning of a resurrection.
Jess’s
house that had been occupied by strange beings with stranger habits’ has been
cleared and is becoming a reflection centre, especially for workshops around eco
spirituality. Believe it or not, a dream of myself and Jess who designed, lived
and died in this jewel of a house, is coming true after 10 years of a
long night. We are also planning a training centre for basic technical skills
for the members of Eco Hope’s projects in the garage below the house. The
conference centre will be upgraded. You are all welcome to support us even
though our facilities are less abusive of the Earth than a 5 Star hotel.
WFC
is about to become again a place where people meet and learn under the caring
eye of Mother Earth. Isn’t she beautiful in WFC?
Eco
Hope, a little NGO focused on ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE and GARDENING has its
offices in WFC and has taken care of the land during the dark years.
During
the past 2 years the wattle and other so called obnoxious herbs, bushes and
trees have been removed (not quite). Over 50 years of history they had sheltered
many comrades eager to move eastwards and many homeless people. However times
have changed and a sense of security needs to establish itself in the wild
valley.
Caring
for the earth from a Christian perspective to me is to love God’s creation passionately,
to be intimately involved with the health of the land and all the creatures that
live of and shelter on this land. What a challenging task God has given us In
calling us to be the voice and the guardian of the Earth.
With
love for the Earth (that includes all her living beings, 2, 4, 6, 8-legged)
Sr
Angelika ( OP) (ecohopep@mweb.co.za)