Sector 39 Permaculture Academy:
Transforming lives through permaculture
This piece was produced by Maria Paez of the Permaculture Association, from the outcomes of a survey and evaluation project led by Stella Amuge, looking at the outcome and knock effects of the series of PDC’s delivered by our small team from Wales, 2016-2021
June 2024
In the heart of Teso, Uganda, a quiet revolution is taking place. A proactive and determined group is committed to transforming their communities through permaculture. How and when did these community leaders get involved in permaculture? The story dates back to when S39 Permaculture Academy, led by renowned permaculture teacher Steve Jones, delivered Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) training to 171 people in Uganda between 2016 and 2019. This training sparked a transformative movement, resulting in the formation of three permaculture hubs led by those newly introduced to permaculture.
One of these hubs is the Eastern Ugandan Permaculture Organisation (EUPO) in the Teso sub-region. Thanks to the 2020 EUPO-led PDC, the Teso Advanced Permaculture Association (TAPA) was formed, creating a village-based cluster of active permaculture enthusiasts. Their stories illustrate the tangible impact of permaculture and highlight the power of community-driven initiatives to bring about lasting change.
In early 2024, Stella Amuge, a dedicated S39 member leading project evaluation, conducted fieldwork, visiting groups who received PDC training. Her extensive research involved conversations, observations, and group and individual interviews, revealing the profound impact of permaculture in TAPA.
Permaculture united individuals from diverse backgrounds who had previously felt isolated, fostering a sense of solidarity and cooperation among roughly 400 households. It is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 people in the region have experienced a tangible impact on their households due to permaculture.
One member of the community shared: “Members feel a sense of brotherhood. They think and plan together as a group before they visit a community.”
The impact of permaculture extends far beyond agricultural practices, touching every aspect of community life. Improved health and increased income generation are among the tangible benefits. For instance, Samuel saw a dramatic reduction in family illness after implementing permaculture practices, while Isaac supported his family financially through sustainable agriculture and beekeeping.
As the Chairperson of TAPA, Jackson embodies community empowerment. Through permaculture, Jackson and his fellow villagers have cultivated a culture of self-reliance and mutual support, prioritising sustainability over short-term gains. Each success story inspires neighbouring communities to embrace permaculture principles and work towards a more resilient future.
In Serere, an active group led by a teacher and TAPA executive member exemplifies the spread of permaculture practices. They were shown how to make compost. These practice are now adopted widely. However, they recognise the need for more training.
Conversations with Stella and Steve reveal that Teso's transformation journey is just starting. With continued permaculture training from S39 and the establishment of a strong regional network, TAPA is poised to scale its impact to even more communities, potentially reaching up to 50 villages. Support to continue delivering permaculture training and guide the new permaculture leaders is required.
The people of Teso have shown remarkable resilience and determination. Through permaculture, they have not only transformed their communities but also empowered themselves to create a better future. There is vast potential to extend this impact, driven by local aspirations for a sustainable and just world for generations to come.
We have not included the knock on effects from Homa Bay and the PermoAfrica centre i this study, where Paul Odiwour Ogola has been actively teaching, with some support from S39 since 2017. Paul has developed a network of 100 villages across the county and delivered training programs in many of those communities, having established the PermoAfrica training centre in 2017.
Steven W Jones, June 2024
Astounding Steve! I hope this is just the first in more studies about the tangible impacts of permaculture. Curious to know what you think a "leveling up" in this field would look like? Going deeper to accelerate change amongst those already trained? Or expanding the breadth of people who are familiar with the principles? There are so many people with the knowledge but they face frustrations trying to implement and even train others beyond the basics due to lack of materials and supplies. Wheelbarrows, watering cans, seeds, etc.
Well, l am a product of this.Paul from permo Africa taught me at my first PDC in 2021 and the spillover effects of this training can be seen in my work at the Shegenerators Perma Hub.