GLOBAL CAMPUS

THE TEAM

​​

Saskia Breithardt (27)

 

“I am inspired by Philip’s work and what he has already manifested. I want to support him and his project. I believe that his work can serve as a model for other regions in Africa. My main interest lies in the ecological work, specifically afforestation. Where you find trees, water will come. Where there is water, there is life, therefore also food. I am also interested in the social aspect of the project. How are women supported? How do village structures develop, which alleviate survival, empower people and fill them with pride?

This is my first journey to Africa.I want to go there in a very humble manner. For the first time I will have a realistic insight into that culture, beyond TV, books, my own imagination or single Africans I met in Europe. I am incredibly excited and look very much forward to undergo that experience.”

 

Siri Gunnarson (33)

 

“I am a global pilgrim, asking where am I to be and how can I best serve during this time of great turning? I am a coordinator of the Global Campus, a wilderness rites of passage guide, youth leader and Council trainer. I am interested in how change happens and am a student of community. I am part of an inter-generational team, Beyond Boundaries, a ‘response team’ for our times, bearing witness to good work being done around the world and offering the best of what we know in service of earth-stewardship and regenerative culture.

Last year I traveled to Kenya with Beyond Boundaries and built a ‘peace hut’ with International Peace Initiatives in Meru. I was deeply touched by the social, political and ecological situation I saw in Kenya, and found great hope in the young people of OTEPIC. I saw their choice to step out of idleness and into learning and co-creating solutions for their communities. I felt the great possibility of change through their activated hearts, and look forward to return to listen and learn with them again.”

 

Maria Kessler (16)

 

“"As long as there is a single child dying from hunger orlack of clean water something is not okay with this planet.” When I heard this for the first time I made the decision to find my role in actively changing ourworld. I am sixteen years old and I want to learn what sustainable help means today. In Tamera I have seen a piece of land which is claimed to be in danger of desertification transformed within five years into a blossoming fertile paradise for humans and animals. This shows me that knowledge of how to end the water crisis in this world already exists!

Now we have to apply it where it is needed. Philip impressed me from the first time I learned of his work, his vision and its manifestation. I am really looking forward to get to know a new culture, to feel the land of Africa and to be a part of the growing of OTEPIC.”

 

Chryssa Sotiraki (41)

 

“When I met Philip Munyasia the first time, I was moved from his life story and sure that one day I will visit him at his project.At beginning of 2013 I went to Kitale and worked in the OTEPIC project for two months. Working with very simple materials and facilities, far away from the European consumption culture, I discovered a power that comes from inside the earth body. I felt sacred rage, knowing that the roots of the African culture were destroyed during and after the time of colonialism. I saw hungry children in the streets and I saw the potential for OTEPIC to provide home to many children. OTEPIC offers knowledge for a sustainable life, with dignity and abundant healthy food and clean water. This time I return with the Global Campus Group. We want to get to know each other black and white, African and European, together. We want to heal the history of the past and cooperate at the basis of solidarity and mutual respect. One of my main tasks during the global campus month in Kitale will be cooking and welcoming all the children that come to OTEPIC and want to help, to dance, and to be with the community!”

 

Michael Mai (45)

 

“I am a freelance experiential educator in Northern Germany. I work with children, youth and young adults and natural materials; together we create playgrounds, experiential spaces and mandala huts. I would love to support the construction of shade roofs and the earth-bag-hut with my craftsman skills. This group journey to the huge and ancient continent of Africa raises my curiosity and at the same time makes me feel very quiet and humble. I will use the opportunity to widen my view on the situation of the world’s children. I want to be able to deeply listen to what Mama Africa wants to teach us.

I am asking myself, what kind of support can I really give, in order to let our biggest potential unfold? What really does help? How does heart-to-heart communication happen, independent of cultural roots? I am grateful for this possibility of direct encounter!”

 

Radmila Jovanovic (54)

 

“I was born in Yugoslavia and lived 22 years in Germany where I specialized in gynecology and obstetrics and got my doctorate. I came to Portugal in 1991 and established a practice in gynecology and obstetrics. I apply a holistic vision for my work, connecting deeply with all what the female body wants to teach us about life. Through the platform of medicine I have always been deeply involved with female issues. Since my arrival in Portugal I have been engaged in the process of ‘humanization of childbirth’ and introducing waterbirth.

I have always felt a deep call to Africa although I have never been there. Now, I take this opportunity, to touch the earth, to connect with the people, to feel what is needed, as well to connect with myself in a profound way, to touch something very deep inside, to understand why Africa is calling. I feel that this is the beginning of a long journey.“

 

Marcus Dittrich (28)

 

“I am becoming a landscape designer and earth healer. During the last years I have undergone intensive education in ecological restoration, community building processes and about the global industrial society and its break down. I dedicate my life to ecosystem rehabilitation and the creation of sustainable communities - Healing Biotopes.

Three years ago I met Philip at the Peace Research Village Tamera in southern Portugal. I sensed a strong quality of brotherhood in our conversations. ‘His story could be mine’, this thought inspired me many times during my work. In OTEPIC I will help to create a plan and strategy for Philip’s new land and the developing education center. I also see this journey to Kenya as a political and human education, to witness the state of the regional ecosystems and the living conditions of the people, to see more clearly what we need to do to bring forth a healthy and sacred way of inhabiting the earth.”

 

Mona AliceKratz (49)

 

“To travel once to Africa has been a dream since my childhood. The last seventeen years I have been living in community within the Healing Biotope Tamera. My work was mainly in the finance department. Two years ago I changed my profession towards ecology. Joining the Ecology Team of Tamera, I have worked and studied nature’s cycles especially in the harvest in our vegetable gardens. Now I will take the opportunity to fulfill my original dream and travel to Kenya witha group of companions, get in touch with the earth, the soul of this country and the project of Philip Munyasia. My wish is to prepare Philip’s new piece of land for the ‘Real Food Revolution’,and to co-create a new awareness where everybody is able to live in abundance and a responsible manner for all living beings. Towards a new culture!”

 

Martin Funk (54)

 

“For more than 15 years I have worked with solar electricity and now, for the last three years, biogas. I research and develop simple energy technology that is environmentally friendly and provides people resources independent from conventional energy sources. I have traveled 3 times to Colombia to offer workshops for constructing photovoltaic systems, solar dryers and efficient wood stoves. In Tamera I have been a teacher of the Global Campus, and offered education in these techniques for people from Europe, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Kenya. At the beginning of this year I was in Kenya for 3 months and supported the OTEPIC project. I was really touched by the open hearts I felt in the African people I met. I want to continue to offer my support for a more sustainable life, with enough food, clean water and technology which protect the environment.”