Main fundraiser photo

The Earth School Build Out

When our child was three years old, we started researching schools for his education and quickly recognized that we didn't see what we wanted for him out there in the vast offerings of East Bay schools. 

We were searching for a rigorous education that was earth-based, with a strong foundation in the arts and communication, building foundations of scientific inquiry at the same time as deep ecological understanding, based on relationships to indigenous people and a clear sense of who we are, where we are and how we can move forward with greater awareness, kindness and sense of stewardship. We wanted to educate our child in a way that would prepare him for the challenges that will face the world in 20 years with its complex social and ecological dynamics. We didn't see quite what we wanted. So we decided to build it.  Here in Oakland--the Territory of Huichin. 

As a physician and an artist married to an organic farmer, we wanted a place that welcomes family involvement, and would draw upon the wisdom of our community to help educate our children, that would centralize the healthy experience of childhood learning in a greater context of community gathering together with land and water tending. We started to put the word out and drew together several families who will be the first cohort for The Earth School. This is a homeschool coop led by families who are educators, artists, farmers, activists and passionate in a particular way about their children's education. 

On over 1/2 acre of land in Oakland, in the setting of an old orchard that has never been built upon, we are building out an earthen structure to serve as a place for the children to start this next phase of their education together. Over the past 8 months, we have been in dialogue with Ohlone matriarch Corrina Gould for direction, we have been digging swales, planting cover crop, restoring an old creek, sowing seeds for autumn crops, setting up play zones and a stage for puppet shows and concerts--getting the site ready for the Fall. We have enlisted the help of local designers and engineers with knowledge in building earthen structures with living roofs to create a living place that is beautiful, sturdy and sound. 

We are currently fundraising $15,000 to help us build out the schoolhouse and to help us get the raw materials to build out shelving, tables, and structures to make the space functional for 5 year olds.  These funds will help cover the materials and the time of the builders who will be manifesting this vision with us. 

We will be starting school in mid-September 2018. For every donation, please include your email so we can invite you to the school opening, to celebrate this occasion of deinstitutionalizing our children's education and bringing the earth back into the heart of helping our children grow.

Fundraising team: The Earth School--Huichin (3)

Rupa Marya
Organiser
Raised $583 from 10 donations
Oakland, CA
Lisa Shin
Team member
Mia Arakaki
Team member

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