CHOICES: THE LAND SEARCH

Looking for land for any reason is always harder than one expects. You think you know what you want, but then you get all turned around with the choices.

High lands or low lands?

Flat lands or hilly?

Red soil? Clay soil? Loam? Sandy?

In the months of July, August and October, various members of the Ecovllage Project Kenya team went out see what the possibilities were in Oletepsi, Bissil and Ngatateak. These areas are all in the Kajiado district.


The acerages varied in sizes. We viewed large pieces as big as two hundred acres and as little as twenty. Some pieces were riddled with clusters of larva-like rocks as big as a house! Others were mostly the typical savannah-like vegetation with red and sandy soils. None had a river of any kind running through it. Those kinds of pieces were out of budget.

What did help was knowing our purpose and what the project needed.

Our intention is clear: We are to build an ecovillage, that is, creating an intentional community. A community that will be a beacon in its stand for the planet. A community that will teach and take on new ecological and sustainable ideas.

So what does such a place need?

A nice view would help.

Good soil for farming and access to water is advisable.

Using permaculture as our basis in design and function, hills and slopes are always good.

With our eco-building plans, it is not bad to have rocks as a source of building material.


Even though hundreds of acres is a plus, if the budget doesn't allow for this indulgence, we can certainly make as good an impact on as little as thirty-five acres or more. Some pieces were easier to get to than others while others were worth the trouble.

Our team is close to deciding on which piece will be the site for the ecovillage. Whichever they choose, I am sure all the needs and wants will be looked at carefully. At the end of the day, it will be worth the trouble and effort!