This year, May 28th I celebrate 63 years around the sun. Yup! I look good! And....After over 30 years as a mental health professional, I am retired! I started my second spring (my word for retirement) officially last August. I am in celebration mode folks! Now I get to dive deeper into the endeavors that I care about and close to my heart. If you know me, you know I care deeply about environmental conservation and community empowerment in the global south.
One of my passions has led me to REDES, a remarkable organization in Senegal, which feels like a second home. REDES stands for Réseau pour l’Emergence et le Développement des Ecovillages au Sahel (Network for Ecovillage Emergence and Development in the Sahel).
Since 2013, I've introduced college students to sustainable development in Africa through service learning in Senegalese villages in partnership with REDES. These experiences have been transformative for my students, fostering deep connections and understanding.
REDES's mission is profound yet simple: to transform over 100 villages in Senegal and Mauritania into thriving ecovillages, where the land is healed, communities are strengthened, and economies are rebuilt. Our vision is to create a sustainable future where ecosystems are preserved, cultural heritage is celebrated, and every individual has the opportunity to live in abundance and peace.
Why We Need Your Support:
Our journey has been filled with milestones, but the path ahead requires more resources to continue our impact. We urgently need X to sustain and expand our vital programs, including:
Gardening for the Future: Our dedicated gardeners are the backbone of our regenerative agriculture initiatives, teaching communities to grow nutritious food while restoring the earth.
Building Knowledge: School construction is not just about buildings; it's about creating safe havens for education, empowerment, and the nurturing of young minds.
Empowering Through Administration: Administrative costs are essential in ensuring that projects are effectively managed, resources are well-utilized, and our mission continues to move forward.
This is a BIG ask for me. Yet I know "every raindrop fills a bucket". Your contribution large or small makes a difference.
If my journey has ever touched your life, I encourage you to contribute to this cause. Your donation is an investment in hope, healing, and community resilience. Together, we can create a world where nature flourishes and communities.
Join Our Circle of Hope:
In the spirit of collective responsibility, I invite you to join me on this transformative journey. Your support is a powerful statement of our collective ability to make a difference. And it is a gift to me in celebration of my solar return and my second spring. Donate to REDES and be part of our story.
Btw, the photo is of me planting a mango tree in the food forest in the Sahel in honor of my grandmother who loved mangoes and passed on that love to me. My nickname is Mango Marie as I eat so many of them in season.
Check out this short video on REDES. I know you will be inspired by what Africans are doing for Africa to address the climate crisis.
A note about this video: It was created and narrated by my former student, Kethia Calixte who was in the 2023 international service learning cohort. She returned to Senegal paying it forward as an international intern with REDES for the past 6 months. She is doing amazing work paying it forward!
In deep gratitude and love, Ase o, Ayibobo, Mesi anpil! (Thank you!)
Marie