Building a healthy environment... through a healthy community... “Life is the essence of the existence of Humanity and Nature that magnifies a beautiful ‘fingerprint’ revealing Gods’ Sacred Presence on Earth....”

THE LOGO:

The circle inside the square is the symbol of the sun as the vital source of life on earth in harmony with the rhythmic movement of the cosmic forces in the universe. Day by day, the earth like a square form, captures the bright glow of light form the sun, the stars, the planets and the constellations with substantial nutrients of moisture that give nourishment to all Gods’ creation of earth. The Silsilah logo inside the circle depicts different cultures of farming /fishing communities who are one with a “Bayanihan Spirit” to work together in harmonious partnership with nature as a conscious compassionate steward of all Gods’ creation to build a healthy life on earth.

PURPOSE:

“...An evolutionary needs to address existing problems on climatic change resulting to depletion of life on earth.” At present, the powerful influence of a materialistic consciousness is creating more attitudes of greed and violence. This can only lead to creating more suffering of the earth. Life will then become more difficult for humanity and nature to survive together. Climatic change is obviously occurring on earth due to the over industrialization through materialistic form of science that presently promotes elite globalization leading towards a consumerist death-giving society. Dialogue with Creation is an experiential ecological active harmony approach of a spiritual encounter of Life-in-Dialogue with the Creator of life that builds a process of creating a healthy environment for harmony and peace on the earth and humanity. Silsilah is progressively initiating this program through holistic ecological active harmony approach in a humanitarian extension work with appropriate technical assistance, training and support services to the hands-on caregivers of the earth known as the farmers. Farming in Dialogue with creation for harmony and peace is an inspiration from deep contemplation of Fr. Sebastiano, founder of Silsilah, who intuitively recognized the need for small farmers to be trained so they may become conscious tillers of the earth with dignity and compassion in caring for all God’s creation. With this program, a Harmony Farm Center was established in a 14 hectares of farmland located at Harmony Village of Silsilah Dialogue Movement Brgy. Pitogo, Sinunuc of Zamboanga City, to become a learning farm for small marginal farmers and a harmony farm center as a training ground for spiritual formation for farmers and fisher folks.

Characterizing Farming in Dialogue with creation

1) Unity with God, with Nature and with Others working in the farm as an act of love to feed with nourishment one-self and others, and to move and act as in a sacred place, as God’s partner.
2) A sense of stewardship for the Earth, starting with one’s farmland: no pollutants, no abuse, no toxins
3) Renewing a sense of wonder, mystery and sacredness as unfolded in the processes of nature constantly listening in silence, to hear God speak through nature and discover the wisdom of God in the dynamic movement of life force in nature and humanity.
4) Through prayer of gratitude and reliance on God’s providence and grace.
5) Faithfulness to the truth of things i.e. to the true nature of things.
6) Teaching by example i.e. living and sharing by what one actually learns in farm life.
7) Cleansing oneself of negative tendencies: Greed, Avarice, Selfishness, Thoughtlessness, Ignorance, Violence and Non-Love.

Initiatives:

Ecological Activities:
· Harmony nursery for conservation and preservation of indigenous genetic resource, specifically indigenous rainforest trees.
· Seed saving, in a living seed bank of indigenous food crops i.e. rice, corn, legumes, and other native food crops and medicinal plants.
· Fruit tree collection (as a genetic resource) at Silsilah.
· Tree planting of indigenous rainforest trees and mangrove forest trees.
· Ecological waste recycling to assist in reduction of greenhouse gases and toxins.
· Awareness sessions/ workshops and information-drive on environmental issues and concerns.
· Advocacy in Conservation, Protection and Development of Watersheds for clean and safe water to consume and to help mitigate Global warming.

Farming/Fishing in Harmony with nature:

· Farmers’ training on Biodynamic Agriculture and other methods in alternative agriculture towards a living-agriculture system (including indigenous practices).
· Escuela Del Siembradores (EDS) as a “Farm School” where farmers go to school and the school goes to the farmers as well for concrete and practical hands on learning experiences to understand all aspects of life-giving processes in Nature.
· Trainer’s training of qualified farmer leaders as resource persons on Sustainable Agriculture and Community Organizing.
· Formation of farmers/fisherman as leaders with a living knowledge on ecological active harmony approach in a culture of dialogue for peace through leadership training programs.
· Technical assistance with appropriate technology in the conversions of farms from chemical treatment to organic way with conscious activities on action-research.
· Organizing farmers’ and fisherman groups to build a living ecological farming/fishing community(s).
· Production and marketing assistance for organic produce of trained farmers.

Problems and Possible solutions:

· Building Sanctuaries of endangered species (flora and fauna – including marine sanctuaries)