ALFA Network

Hi everyone,
As you have probably noticed, there are several survey responses on here from members of the ALFA Network in Nairobi, Kenya. Through one of the many email lists I am a member of, I became friends with Erick Omari, who represents the ALFA Network. Over the course of our emailing back and forth, I mentioned my survey project, which he took interest in, and in turn he had several members of his local community (mostly members of ALFA Network) submit survey responses to me. I wanted to take a few minutes now to share some information about ALFA Network, for those of you who might be interested. The information below comes directly from Erick, in his own words, and if anyone would like to learn more about his work or perhaps support the work that he is doing, I am sure he would be happy to hear from you! Erick's email address is omari15ke@yahoo.com

ALFA stands for: - (A better Life For All) is a community based organization and a Network organization. It also educates and delivers services to the community.

It is registered with the Ministry of Gender Sports Culture and Social Services in the year 2006.

It was formed to address the need of the hardship in the slum by achieving the goals and objectives.

The organization is based at Kibera Slum (Lindi) in Nairobi Kenya. Its members are mainly people from Kibera slum and friends who are ready to co-ordinate and work together with Alfa in order to achieve the objectives. The aim of Alfa Network is to offer:-
•Holistic childcare and sponsorship
•Education, skills and vocational training
•HIV/AIDS care and support
•Relief and humanitarian services
•Foster care, children's home and orphanages
•Youth programs and leadership development
•Spiritual teachings, guidance and counseling
•Music, dance, and drama
•Healthcare and income generating activities/micro – enterprise.
•Theater for development
This can be effective through working together with individuals, churches, families, well –wishers, co-operations, companies among others to achieve the goals and objectives.

BRIEF HISTORY OF ALFA NETWORK
ALFA NETWORK is a Community Based, organization (CBO) whose purpose is to provide holistic care and support to HIV/AIDS orphans, vulnerable disadvantaged children and youth, windows and their communities in Kibera slum in Nairobi Kenya. Kibera being one of the largest slums in Kenya, most of its people are single parents, extreme levels of poverty is the characteristic of the slum with most households having inadequate access to basic amenities like shelter, health facilities, education water and sanitation, security and food. This on the other hand has led to cases like immorality in an attempt by these people to sustain themselves. We at ALFA NETWORK seek to provide education, shelter, feeding programs, clothing, healthcare, life skills and vocational training, HIV/AIDS care and support, spiritual nourishment and educational sponsorships to orphans, vulnerable disadvantaged children aged 3-17 years, and disadvantaged youth 18-24 years, both boys and girls. To realize this goal, ALFA NETWORK seeks to work in partnership with communities, churches, other NGOs/Community Based Organizations (CBOs), families and individuals to implement child-focused, community oriented programs and projects that benefit entire communities.

OUR OBJECTIVES
•To advocate for the welfare of orphans, vulnerable children, youth and widows.
•To develop education skills and vocational training centres for orphans, widows, widowers, destitute children and youth.
•To offer continuous childcare and support ministry to children
•Catering for the holistic development of orphans and vulnerable children.
•To administer relief and humanitarian services to vulnerable children and youth in need.
•To run foster homecare for orphans and to establish children homes and orphanages.
•To address the HIV/AIDS challenge, provide counseling care and support services to orphans, widows, youth and the general public.

OUR GOALS
Our goals at present are to seek financial sponsorship and support for orphans in foster homes/family care in Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya. In the mean time we propose to build ALFA NETWORK Children's Centre, set up a vocational computer and ICT skills training, embroidery and Tailoring programs and continue assessing needs of orphaned children in the Kibera Slum area in Nairobi, Kenya.
At the same time we propose to continue providing HIV/AIDS awareness/counseling/care and support ministry, providing Christian solutions. ALFA NETWORK works in partnership with local churches to provide spiritual nourishment for children, youth and communities

OUR MISSION
We at ALFA NETWORK devotedly stand as advocates for destitute children, using God-given resources to release them from the bondage of poverty and misery, improving their physical well-being, enhancing their academic status, healthcare, granting those equal opportunities to discover, develop, exploit and realize their God-given full potential.

ALFA NETWORK welcomes and receives financial and in-kind support in form of gifts, donations, endowments, grants and scholarships from individuals, families, groups, churches, organizations, corporations, companies, friends and well-wishers from all over the world. We seek to serve the less fortunate members of our society by entering into partnership with any individuals, families, groups, churches, organizations, corporations, or companies, willing to support us and our work with or without restrictions, in the following areas:
•Holistic childcare and sponsorship
•Education, skills and vocational training
•HIV/AIDS care and support
•Relief and humanitarian services
•Foster care, children's home and orphanages
•Youth programs and leadership development
•Spiritual teachings, guidance and counseling
•Music, dance, and drama
•Healthcare and income generating activities/micro – enterprise.
•Theater for development.

WHAT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY ALFA NETWORK ORGANIZATION SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED?

1.ALFA Network has made tremendous difference through educating the community about the infection and spread of HIV/Aids, through clean ups, social games, poems, drama (Theater for development)

2.Child to Child activities are also among the initiative of ALFA Network introduced to the Slum. About 100 children have been reached. Among these children some of them have lost both parents and are living with their relatives. A large number hail from single headed families. In these families the children face many difficult situations and lack basic necessities. Child To Child participation promotes and preserves the health of the community and enabling children to play an active and responsible role in health and development of themselves, other children and their families.

3.Educating children on their rights, child labor, child abuse, we have done this successfully through assistance of teaching material from ANPPCAN (AFRICAN NETWORK FOR THE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLET. Most of the children have been sensitized on their rights and have known to defend them. We conducted a case study whereby the child was locked out with the parent claiming that the child had lost a needle of 2 Kenya shillings.

4.Theater for development, it is an educative activity which promotes self realization and exploits talents of young people in the community, it also helps as mobilize the community about health issues through acting, indeed it is an entertainment and educative process to the community and the children themselves.

5.Girl-Child education we advocate it through sports, drama. Songs and poems, making the community accept to educate the girls.

6.Vocational training, Embroidery for single parents, we have three embroidery machines which are not enough since the demand is to high, we empower single parent so that they may acquire skills for survival, and be self – reliant

7.Vocational training for youths and the children in computer literacy, we have one computer which we use for office work and equally training the youths and children, the demand is very high, we teach them more theoretical than practical due to lack of enough computers for training the children and youth


HOW DOES THE ORGANIZATION FUND ITS ACTIVITIES?
•The local community plays a great role, it as provides a place where ALFA conducts its activities; there is a small field where ALFA and its members can use for participation, for sports, drama.
•Educating for child right, child abuse and labor, the organization as been supported resource materials from ANPPCAN, KENYA, which are helpful in educating the children about their rights and empowering the community on knowledge of children right.
•Clothing for the children who are less privileged, we have been assisted once with charity missionary brothers, Kibera to help the needy children in Alfa.

TARGET GROUP
ALFA NETWORK targets all people in need and less fortunate in the community irrespective of their race, ethnicity, denomination and educational background these groups targeted are:
•Children under 18 years
•Youth both in schools and out of school.
•Single parents.
•Differently gifted people. (Special people)
•PLWAS and STI's infected and affected.
•Conflicts in the society, to edify peace and harmony


WHO ARE THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT?
•They are the orphaned, infected and affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic.
•Others include vulnerable children and community living within Kibera Slum
•Pupils in Kibera informal schools.
•Youth in and out of school.
•The community of Lindi, Kibera.
•Single parents.

CHALLENGES
•Child right denied in the community is paramount.
•Unemployment for volunteers, Youths in the community tends to be paid in order to offer their services. Alfa has 10 youths who are volunteering.
•Gender. Men within the community are not ready for any voluntary initiatives.
•Cultural bias: - language, relationships,
•Justice denied: - in other cases the children rights are not taken serious with Administration, Chief’s, and village elders.
•Dependency Syndrome: - some expect full support from Alfa Network.
•Need for Human resources and financial support for more activities
•Need for emergency funds for unplanned activities

LEVEL OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT REQUIRED FROM DONERS AND WELL-WISHERS.
Besides monitoring project compliance with regard to implementation and funds, well-wishers are at liberty to provide support in identifying required training resources for the project. Well -wishers will work with the ALFA Network office to develop their capacity in sourcing funds directly for the organization and any other sources to ensure continuity of project activities.

A few photos of members of the ALFA Network which Erick sent to me:

Thomas Nyabigo George

SONACAD NETWORK (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 17 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Goats, young guys in our community sleep In the Kitchen where goats sleep also. Where I was sleeping we had a lot of goats, and they urinated all over the house so in the morning I was stinking with goat urine.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Grazing goats around the bushes and forest, whereby I could eat the wild fruits

Now? The forests are no longer existing so I even don’t know whether I have a favorite place.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Goats are my favorite animal I like watching the kids of the goat running up and down, the goat meat is tender, we have a special stuff which is made from the goat bile, and waste, which is actually bitter, when well prepared it is very good with roasted meat (Nyama Choma) we call it Obosontoto in our mother tongue, and the Luo’s from Nyanza call it Ochuri

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Destruction of the earth to look for mineral resource, most of the people have dead due to collapse of the land, land tremor, earthquakes, Tsunamis, though they are natural calamity but we are the most factor or contributes of the happening

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

God created the environment and natural resources with a purpose so we should learn what was the purpose of God’s creation is it preservation or destruction?

Mr. Erick Kebeka Omari

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 15 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Snake
The impact it had in me I wash swimming in a local stream long time a go, totally naked and then a snake came swimming towards me, head high, men, I jumped out of water and ran away naked, I was so scared, since then I never went swimming in our local stream up to date I don’t know how to swim, just jumping up and down in water and not far from the river bank.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

In my childhood, I liked going to see horse racing in Race course, Nairobi

Now? I like going out to see divers in our local springs (Chania Falls , Fourteen falls)

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Cow, because I love drinking milk, if I had means I could like having milk besides my bed, warm fresh milk and sour milk very sweet, not forgetting beef meat commonly known as nyama choma here in Kenya with Gachumbari (papper, tomatoes onions, avocado paste good for nyama choma)

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Forest eradication (deforestation), the world and earth as lost it’s natural canopy due to tree cutting, causing erosion, productivity as reduced due to erosion and soil is not fertile, forest used to be water catchments, attracts rain. The greatest challenge in future is starvation, disease and death, due to drought, erosion.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Environment is life preserve it, and our natural resources is our wealth, let as take care of them.

Carolyne Moraa Nyanga’u

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 15 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Jiggers, this are small animals which stays in someone’s legs, this jiggers stayed in my legs(toes) and created a lot of impact in my life they disfigured my legs (toes) and during the night I could not sleep, I had to scratch my leg all the night, when we were young there were no shoes for us since our parents could not afford, in fact even now in slum like ours not all children wear shoes, so in the morning it was a problem for me to walk on the grass which had dew, the grass could poke the jiggers and you could sit down instantly because of pain. My mother was keen if she notice you scratching your leg, that night she could week up and inspect your legs, if the jiggers are their they could be removed by a sharp needle, and dust your legs with paraffin the area she removed jiggers so that others cannot invade the place.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Going with the elder girls in the forest when they went fetching firewood

Now? Walking around the hills and mountains viewing them.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I love Dove, they are beautiful and are used as food, also a sign of peace

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Environmental challenge we have is pollution from the industries which are not far from our places, they have cause diseases which has cost a lot of resources and deaths. Another big environmental hazard we have we people living in the slum is dumping of waste resources, which are all over in the slum due to production of plastic paper bags which do not decompose, also this plastic paper bags are used for flying toilets in the slum and they have made the slum to stink, causing a lot of pollution and diseases.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Lets use our common sense to join hands together to nature our environment and those who do not oblige should be penalized since environmental pollution kills more than the one who pollutes it

Augustine Simiyu Nambafu

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 16 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Chicken, I came from Western Kenya where chicken is the paramount animal in our village, when I was young I used to feed my father’s chicken, the impact it caused in my life was when my father chased away my mother because of eating the gizzard of the chicken, In our tradition chicken gizzard is special meal for men only, ladies, women are not allowed to eat gizzards since it shows disrespect for the husband or men in general, so whoever who disobey this rule she is sent away to her parents for a couple of months and when she comes back must bring something to appease her husband in order to be allowed back, so I missed my mother for three months, none was there to bath me and wash my clothes, it was hard for me.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Yes of course the best place I used to go is Bhukungu stadium, when we had cock fighting, I could accompany my father to go and cheer our cock, the cock which won during the fight the owner became a hero of the village

Now? Going out in Arena for esukuti traditional dances.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Chicken, I am from western Kenya and hen is the respected animal we have. If I visit you and you don’t cook for me chicken, then life is not complete and my visit is not jovial to me. All Luhya’s from western Kenya can support me on this issue.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Cutting of our forest, which as caused our land barren, we cut trees without planting, using them for firewood and endangering our future, Disease have increased and will increase. Our forefathers used trees for medical purpose but now there is other species of trees that we cannot find.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Cut one tree plant three for our own good and our resources we are the ones benefiting from them so it is our responsibility to protect them

Troon Ombongi

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 17 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Hen, especially cock when I was young my grand mother gave me a present of a chick, I reared it until it was big and started laying eggs, there was a big cock of one of our neighbors, usually our poultry are reared in free range system, so I tied a rope to my hen and I was collecting the chicks together, the hen mother was making a lot of noise so the cock came running it scratched me badly on my legs peaking me and remember I was wearing a very small short up to date I have the scares in my leg. I ran to the house and closed myself fearing for more scratches from the cock.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Our near by school field we used to organize with other friends and we could go there play football, we made the ball by ourselves, we collected plastic paper bags and tied with ropes to be the shape of a ball.

Now? Game parks, I really like seeing animals and other new things in my life.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Hen, I don’t eat any meat except chicken and eggs, I was born like that and the only meat I can eat is chicken and it’s eggs, I started rearing hens while I was young and I used to sell eggs which gave me money, though it wasn’t a lot but during that time, I was the young star in my village who can buy other friends a cup of tea in our local hotel.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The environmental challenge we have is destroying our forest which as caused a lot of soil erosion and reduced the soil fertility, which result to poor productivity of farming product.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

I like to advice people to be reasonable since we are the ones using the natural resources in a bad way and we are the one to suffer in the coming days equally to the environment

Mary Wafula

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 16 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Cattle, especially bulls, My Dad used to keep bulls very big that you could think they were Buffaloes, and they had big horns, so one day I passed next to one charging Bull called Mulinge all of them had names, it swept me high on the air, landing down, people thought that I was dead, unfortunately my dad wasn’t far they did first aid for me, and the Bull was dehorned there and then.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I used to go out with my dad to take care of the Bulls (grazing them) and I could not miss during Bull fighting, that morning before taking the Bulls for fighting we could feed the dedicated Bull with special foods more than the others, because it is victory meant a lot it will rebuild the reputation of our family name so my dad did a lot of effort to see that he maintains the reputation and respect to the community

Now? Life is expensive over here and I don’t have a favorite place at the moment.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Cattle, I have three cattles one cow two Bulls, I use bulls for ploughing, the cow dung is used as fertilizer, also we use wet cow dung for smearing the house, actually it is used like cement. You mix it with mud and you smear your house.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Pollution from various places, like factories and industries, dumping which as cause disease and deaths, exhausting the forest for timber production, lacking water catchments, the forests attracts rain, no rain no production, starvation increases resulting to death.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Environment is life and our natural resources is our wealth for foreign exchange, we should take care of it

Triza Kemunto

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 15 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Cat, The feases it used to put around the house when it was a kitten, gave me a lot of stress since I could be told to clean the mess and I will not stop sneezing

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Going to the forest to eat fruits

Now? I like going to the zoo especially in agriculture part to see how people breed their animals, and feed them.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Cow / cattle, I like milk and meat and I cannot stop salivating when I see meat. Also when I was young I used the skin of the cow for sleeping, the skin used to be my baby coat, so I love the cow

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Pollution from factories, it causes diseases and infections which result to death.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

To teach the society on how to make our environment clean to avoid pollution.

Beatrice Kwamboka

Shop Keeper (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 16 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

In my life, I flashback, this small animal called Rat. When I was young it used to bite my nails, and in the morning that is when I could realize that my nails have been chewed by a rat, without feeling any pain.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

I used to love visiting my grand parents and basking in the sun with mothers who had new born babies.

Now? At the moment I don’t have a favorite place, but I like interacting with little children whenever they come to the Kiosk, I feel so good acting like them.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

My favorite animal is a Bee, Bees whenever they are, they seem to be busy. I wish human beings were committed like bees, and then our economy could have improved

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Economy which as resulted to poverty, poverty of high rate is going to be there and people are going to steal from each other

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

People should use what they have to get what they don’t have. We have to work extra hard in order to improve our life style.

Elisha Moseti Ratemo

SONACAD NETWORK (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 16 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Planting trees in deforested areas and taking care of domestic animals.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

In my childhood we used to visit zoos and natural parks but nowadays we rarely go because they have become too expensive for local tourists.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

SNAKES. Because I would like to study them on ways to handle them, relating with them and their importance to mankind.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming and endangering of certain plants and animal species.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Let’s protect our environment from all kinds of emissions and non-biodegradable wastes and also protect our water catchment areas from all sorts of pollutions. Also we should identify endangered species and preserve them.

Gilbert Gitau

Student, Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 18 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Cows, My mum had cattle and I hated to milk and mum used to force me to milk. So I had to run away from home up to date I don’t know how to milk cows.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

At the River for swimming

Now? Going In an open place for refreshment, and meditation.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Dog, Reasons I have one and I use to go hunting with it.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming, and whether changing example at the moment we expect the weather here in Kenya to be cold at is at the month of July but, contrally to that is warm. Deforestation is another factor which as affected our environment, if it continues there will be no rain, we will experience shortage of rain, the animal habitant will no longer be there.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

We should conserve our environment and natural resources to its beauty.

Barrack Othiambo

Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)

Today’s Date: 17 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Fish, especially fingerlings we call them Omena in our mother tongue (small type of fish). When I was young I used to wonder very much my mother could cook Omena with big fire and this things could not close there eyes, they are ready to be eaten but they have not closed their eyes. So one day my cousin made a joke to me, that the more I eat them they are going to camp in my stomach and bite me because they will be able to even see through my stomach. I was so scared since then I never ate them, fearing that they see me as I want to eat them and they will revenge

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Fishing with my cousin, and we could enjoy it.

Now? Honestly I don’t have a place only when we went out as members of Alfa Network, to Ngong forest, and I felt good and since I could see the nature and enjoyed the breeze, down the trees, and I could roll on the grass, I wish we could be going more places

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

My favorite animal is Fish, I like fish because I use it as food and also it is used to treat many diseases, It is so delicious, and gives me a lot of energy.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Air pollution, people tend to experiment on atomic explosions in our open air which will soon affect our ozone layer and it will collapse killing all people in the world, at the moment people die through inhaling polluted air which complicates the body respiratory system and result to dead. If we don’t take care we will reduce our life span through pollution of the air.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Creation of the environment was made perfect, natural resources we were given freely, so let us use them wisely but not wildly.

Wayne Wakeland

Professor, Portland State Univ.

Today’s Date: July 19, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I learned the true meaning of unconditional love (in my 40's) from our dog Jamie.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

A place called the Jack Lakes in the interior of Alaska. We camped, hiked, kayaked, fished for Grayling, explored an old mine for several summers in the '50's. Never saw another human being while we were there (pretty remote).

Now? Nowadays it is the Oregon coast that continues to take my breath away.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

We dearly loved our dogs and cats, and I could not pick between them; as for wild animals, my favorite is the Eagle.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming right now, and for a long time to come. I'm also worked about our tinkering with genetics.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Leave anyplace you visit at least as beautiful and healthy it was when you arrived. That goes for wild places, your home, your community, every place.

Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

Zen Mountain Monastery

Today’s Date: July 17, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I grew up surrounded by nature and thought for a long time that it was how most people lived. I still live surrounded by nature, but now I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to do so. I'm not even sure I can talk about an impact. It is my life.

As for an animal among animals, the loon has affected me the most deeply. I still can't believe that such an incredible creature is alive on this earth.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Near a body of water

Now? Near a body of water

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

See above.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

To close the gap that makes us see ourselves as separate from nature.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Care for it as you would for your own child.

Kristina Sherman

Project Administrator for the Tibetan Nuns Project

Today’s Date: July 17, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

While growing up we almost always had a garden so I was able to directly connect what I ate with where it came from. At one residence we had over 500 acres of pristine woods behind our house and that was my sanctuary and play area. As an adult I live in the city and have little access to forest and woods but find a deep longing is satisfied and I find bliss and spiritual centering when I do go camping or hiking. It feels like my heart's home. My sanctuary now is my small organic garden.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Camping in the Lower BC mainland before Whistler was built.

Now? Camping in the north central Cascade Mountains. I was also fortunate to take a trip to the Peruvian Amazon several years ago and that will always remain in my heart as a place of great peace and inspiration.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

We now have domesticated cats that are more like our children (we are childless) and I love meerkats and river otters. Both are adorable and have amazing community/family relationships.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The greatest challenge I see now is overpopulation/reduction of resources and pollution in all parts of the globe. In the future I think our greatest challenge will be to just have food shelter and water.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Humans and the environment are integrally connected. What we are doing to our earth, while we may not see the immediate impacts, will impact all life on earth in a way that will eventually destroy all life on earth. We need to think of the earth as our body. We don't want to poison our bodies so why would we poison our environment?

“Thank you for your research. I pray what you are doing will help progress in the right direction. Bless you.”

Jeff Crowl

Currently Team Lead of On-site contractors at IndyMac Bank for Lender Processing Services (though given the news, it's likely to be transitional)

Today’s Date: July 17, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I spent years as a Boy Scout. I think the general closeness to nature over time ingrained in me an appreciation for its majesty.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Not really, but I always enjoyed time at my grandparent's home in the country.

Now? I'm not sure. I'm in Austin right now and everything's so transitional. Sorry. (Moving to Seattle soon)

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Right now it's probably the cat ( I have one squirming on my lap right now). From our perspective, we domesticated them ages ago (as well as countless other species of plant and animal). Of course, from theirs, they made a few genetic changes to throw their lot in with us, and in exchange, we've made them terribly successful, genetically, spreading them and their genes around the world with our expansion. I think cats might just be one of the few species to still remember when that deal got struck. :)

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Lots of them... Systemic issues in our own culture aside, I'm most concerned about toxins. Hawkin's Ecology of Commerce paints a pretty scary picture of dioxins and the like. Still, in the future, I have to jump on the bandwagon and say it's probably going to be climate change. Peak Oil might slow us down, but once we start liquefying coal to keep driving, I think we're cooked.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Gah. First, do no harm...

Julie

student @ BGI (MBA in Sustainable Business)

Today’s Date: July 16, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

The vastness of being in an open field, or looking into a moon- and star-lit sky makes me realize how much there is "out there" to learn about, dream about, and be a part of.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Still the same - the beach. Growing up, my family and friends would go for days or weeks each summer; the beach "meant" summer to me. Now it is more a place where I go to be amazed by the sounds of the waves, the expanse of the sand, and the surprises of the wildlife.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I call myself "a cat in the window" - very aware of my surroundings, yet somehow tending to be on the outside looking in (or inside looking out as the cat may be).. The evolution of moths and butterflies amazes me. I also am a fan of goats because they are stubborn and determined to get what they want!

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The increasing temperatures of Earth and water; on the "cuddly and cute" level, images of polar bears stranded on shrinking icebergs scare me; but really this is more pertinent at a base level of run-off ecosystems, ocean-side towns, and systems that start with ocean-side environments.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

We live in a library; if you can't return what you use, at least be conscious of what you are doing, and be as frugal as possible with what belongs to everyone.

Kim Allen

Sustainable Business consultant

Today’s Date: July 16, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

During a period of a few weeks, a pair of crows lived near my house. When I went out for walks or was returning along my street, one would follow me along, cawing. First landing on a branch, then on a lightpost, as I walked up the street. Over time, the crow became bolder and began swooping down close to my head. Watching my own response was fascinating. I resisted believing that the crow's behavior was different toward me than toward other people, but observation showed it to be true. I felt some uneasy, ungrounded feeling in my heart: What is this? Is it threatening? Is there something I'm supposed to understand here, and am I just missing it? One day, as the crow dogged me along the street, I just sat down on the sidewalk and waited. I turned and looked at the crow, screeching on a branch, and said, "Well, all right, here I am. Come on down and sit with me. Tell me what's up." We looked at each other for a while. The crow did not come down. A few days later, the pair departed.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Redwood forests.
And soccer fields (do those count? :-))

Now? Ryo-anji in Kyoto. And I still love the forest.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Cats (of all stripes!) for their attitude of non-striving.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Our profligate use of oil and other petroleum resources. I suspect we will burn it all. In the future, our challenges will be more culturally and community-based, as we work on the social networks that have thinned out through the technological age.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Look for the ways that you are part of the larger system. Try to contribute in a way that helps.

James A. Wiseman

Editor of the Bulletin of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue

Today’s Date: July 12, 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

backpacking in the wilderness areas of the American West, especially the Sierra Nevada

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Now? the Sierra Nevada

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

dogs, because in general they tend to be so friendly

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

global warming, both now and in the future

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

All of us, but especially those of us with relatively high standards of living, must be convinced that greater simplicity of life-style is needed, along with the development of sources of energy that do not rely so much on fossil fuels.

Rev Ed Maddox

Owner, MaxxLarge Enterprises

Today’s Date: 11 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Seeing more than 100 deer sunbathing in the forest near a river in North Carolina.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Yes, There was a valley just south of Dallas in Cedar Hill TX, that is now Joe Pool Lake. My friends and I would spend many hours there just hanging out.

Now? The Black Hills of SD.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Giraffe, Just such a graceful animal.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Keeping our inland waterways clean./ Same for the future.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

There are future generations on the way. They will need clean air and water, Don't waste this important future of our world just because you are lazy.

Sam Gardiner MLA

Ulster Unionist Politician

Today’s Date: 9 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I am very fond of dogs, having owned 2 boxer dogs. I currently keep a parrot and koi carp fish.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

In my childhood I was very fond of getting to the seaside.

Now? I would like to again visit Brisbane, Australia

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I don't have one particular favourite animal. As stated in No. 1 I did own 2 boxer dogs, both of which are now buried in my front lawn with a marble plenth over their grave. I also enjoy keeping koi carp fish and my parrot who I have taught to say a few things.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The greatest environment challenge facing us I believe is pollution both now and in the future. Also the pollution of our waterways.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Treat everyone and everything with respect as all has been given to us by God.

Katie Joseph

Studio Manager, Joel Sartore Photography

Today’s Date: 9 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

My grandmother got me a subscription to Ranger Rick (National Wildlife Federation's kids magazine) when I was a kid. After reading about manatees in the magazine, I adopted one and have been interested in endangered species ever since. As far as a direct interaction with nature, I'd say spending a hefty amount of time in my own back yard influenced me, as did looking at the critters I found there under magnifying glasses and microscopes.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

My own back yard.

Now? I love the bike trails in and around town as well as my back yard, but my ultimate favorite outdoors spot is a sinkhole in Brazil that hosts a flock of red and green macaws (Buraco das Araras).

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I would love to meet a lemur because they're so intelligent and unusual, but would definitely pass that up for a chance to meet an elephant. Doug Chadwick's "The Fate of the Elephant" is an excellent read, and kindled that desire in me.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Balancing the needs of the many humans on this planet with the needs of other species. Solving humanitarian problems is the first step in solving environmental problems.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

It's simple: don't be wasteful. That applies to everything. It's the way my grandparents lived, and if we all followed their example, there would be a lot less carted off to the landfill every day.

Judy Skog

WICEC (Wisconsin Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaign) and Sustain Dane

Today’s Date: 7 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

My parents had a cottage on a small lake. I spent hours lying on the dock listening to the water, or in the water, swimming or boating.

We have a dog who needs to be walked daily or else he barks a lot. He gets me outside in all kinds of weather. He is also a wonderful teacher (he pushes my buttons, so I learn what my buttons are.)

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

At the lake.

Now? In my back yard, hanging wash on the clothes line.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I love the meerkats and the panda. I love how social and inquisitive the meerkats are. And the panda is just special.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Our greatest environmental challenge is living in a truly sustainable fashion (where everybody has enough, and not too much). And in order to achieve this, we MUST get out of Iraq. There will be no money for anything until we’re out of Iraq.

Sadly, the greatest challenge of the future may well be how to live with the horrible mess that my generation has made because we left fixing things until too late. I prefer to think that what I am doing makes enough of a difference, and I am educating as many people as I possibly can along the way, but in my heart of hearts it may not be enough.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Take the time to understand the problem, and then take the steps needed to protect nature and assure that everyone has enough. That includes eating locally and organic, and starting a garden in your own yard.

Robin Le Breton

Director, Iracambi Atlantic Rainforest Research and Conservation Center

Today’s Date: 7 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I was born on a farm in the middle of Africa: I live on a farm in the middle of Brazil - animals and nature all around me, all my life

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

yes there was a place on our farm I used to go to..

Now? of course - though I seldom have time to go there!

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

elephants - why? dunno - they’re clever- guess I feel sorry for them because their future is bleak

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Roughly speaking, Americans & Europeans constitute 12% of the world’s population and use 60% of its resources. We all want to have the living standards of the Americans - it's impossible - the world doesn't have that many resources. One American uses 6 times the resources of one Chinese. Each Chinese wants to live like an American. What will happen if they do? Is this what we should be working towards?

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Ask yourself why Man should be the only exception to the basic rule of nature that every creature may take from nature exactly what it needs to satisfy its physical needs

Wayne Stroessner

Past President, Wisconsin Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaign (WICEC) (www.wicec.org)

Today’s Date: 7 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

The entire wonder of nature, nothing specifically.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Mostly down by the local river.

Now? Mostly at the lake where we live.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I have none in particular, but I do enjoy watching birds at my feeder.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Solving the energy crisis and eliminating the burning of fossil fuels.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Our creator has given us a planet and asked us “to keep it.” That’s stewardship!

Willard Lee (Reverend)

Order Of Buddhist Contemplatives

Today’s Date: 5 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Two dogs I grew up with from the age of six.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Probably the seaside in general. Soft sandy type beaches.

Now? The South Devon coast, where my mum lives.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Dogs (domesticated), because of the emotional ties formed during childhood. The attention they give; their dependency on you, i.e. a dog is something to love. Hopefully a dog loves to play, not all do, and is quite naughty from time to time.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

To look at realistically, what can be done to cause the least harm to the environment whilst accepting that life must go on. We live in the times we live in, and they are not wrong. For me living responsibly and sensitively, looking and learning; whist getting on with life without guilt about the consequences of say, driving a car; is enough. Personal responsibility without polemic, I'm glad that people do try to raise our awareness about our impact on the environment and that experts find wise ways to try to find practical solutions, this is essential, and part of the process of waking up to our connectednesss with the universe and, I believe environmental fundamentalism / activism is not the way forward.

For the future, to continue and develop the process of awakening that is already happening, and to recognize that it is already happening, it's not all bad news. Things may not be going at the pace we think they should, but within the conditions of society that we have; what can actually be done?

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Try not to be greedy, careless within things.

John Hourston

Blue Planet Society

Today’s Date: 3 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Travelling for 15,000 km through southern and central Africa and seeing the wild animals and plants of that region.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

The sea. Always fascinated with water and what lives in it.

Now? The sea. To help save what lives in it.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

Marlin. An amazing fish that should be on a par with the tiger in conservation terms.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Overfishing. Climate change grabs all the headlines but believe me the impact of overfishing will be just as devastating. Worse so in the near future.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Don't eat wild marine life.

Andrew Rudin

Owner, Energy Management

Today’s Date: 2 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Spending summers at Joes Pond, West Danville, Vermont

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Same

Now? Same

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I think zoos are jails for animals. I don't have a favorite animal. I raise White Cloud Mountain Minnows, which is a small fish.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The release of carbon too quickly into the atmosphere.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Turn everything off.

Markus Hoffmann

Agricola Aiko de Talamanca, S.A. (Costa Rica)

Today’s Date: 2 July 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

maybe an owl that sat about 5 m in front of me and my girlfriend in the Costa Rican rainforest. Huge, impressive, beautyful, absolutely silent. A white rhino that almost - accidentally - attacked us in South africa was also quite stunning experience...

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Yes, the alps.

Now? the alps, the atlantic ocean around Galicia, the Costa Rica Rainforest

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

There’s no one favorite animal - i like the interaction of all life.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

overpopulation

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

think about what you really need and limit yourself to that. If there’s something you really need (to do), do it with the least impact possible.

Ilan Kelman

I am answering this survey as an individual.

Today’s Date: 28 June 2008

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Seeing the contrast between the environment of megacities and that of undeveloped places.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

No

Now? No

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

I do not have a favorite animal.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Both now and the future, it is our individual and societal values with respect to the environment in that other priorities tend to be far higher than living appropriately with the only environment that we have: Planet Earth.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Respect our role, as individuals and as a species, within the wider environment because that will not only help Planet Earth, but it will also help us as individuals and as a species.