Organization: Bustan Qaraaqa (Tortoise Garden)

Location: Beit Sahour

Mission and Context:

Bustan Qaraaqa (the Tortoise Garden) is a community permaculture project, based in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour (Shepherds’ Fields), close to the city of Bethlehem.
The aim of the project is to propagate a grassroots environmental movement in the Palestinian Territories to address the problems of food insecurity and environmental degradation that threaten the well-being of the population; problems that are going unaddressed as a result of the ongoing Israeli military occupation which impedes effective development.

We feel that where governments and development agencies are failing, perhaps individuals and communities can succeed if only they recognise their own power to deal with the problems that are facing them.

Working closely with our neighbours, we are creating a model permaculture farm, to serve as a centre for experimentation with and demonstration of cheap and easy techniques for sustainable living and food production. In addition we are carrying out environmental education activities with all sectors of the local community, and supporting people in implementing their own permaculture initiatives and realising their environmental rights.
The site also serves as a guesthouse for international visitors, who are invited to volunteer with the project, working both at Bustan Qaraaqa itself and with members of the local community to learn about permaculture techniques and the political-environmental situation in Palestine.

Director: Alice Gray

Website: www.bustanqaraaqa.org

Contact: Alice Gray / alice@bustanqaraaqa.org / +972 (0)2 2748994