DDCD 2019 - Session 4 by STOSKIENE RITA

Silvia

2019-11-08 00:32:52 UTC

KONTAKAZ

Another excellent day full of lessons to be learnt!

Our guides today have clarified the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage for future generations; Guadaloupean Creole, a mix of French and West African languages, is a way to pass on knowledge, values and memory, keeping cultures alive. Through the narration of Creole proverbs, tales and legends, songs and chants, our teacher Edgar gave us an example of how young children can acquire this precious heritage and having fun at the same time.

From the visit to the beautiful hills of Sainte Anne together with our experts we learnt the importance of passing on to future generations the precious secrets of nature and its healing powers: source of health for human bodies and minds.

Unfortunately, western civilization has lost contact with the more human dimension and today we seldom realize how far we’ve gone…

Anders

TeacherASH — 2019-11-08 00:36:40 UTC

It was a wonderful experience walking around guided by those two men with a lot of wisdom. I learned a lot about different species and I wonder how we (humanity) can do to create a bigger interest in what nature provides us with.

There are big opportunities to grow at least some of the food you need at home or to go out in the nature and pick what you need. Still people are buying things that could be produced at home. Maybe is the Globalisation a factor that explains our behavior? Nowadays, we can buy fruit and vegetables from all over the world all year round. Some decades ago, you could just buy what your own country could offer you at that time. I will not say it was a better life then, but our way of turning the nature our back is bad for the climate. Imagine all the transports the needs to be done because our willingness to buy things from the other side of the world.

Getting closer to nature is good for many reasons. I really felt relaxed today while I was walking with the trees around me and I always have a sense of tranquility in the forest. So it is a really good initiative to have lessons about nature for the kids and there are more groups that would need it as well – why not people who are working at offices?

Daniela

danielafunck — 2019-11-08 00:57:29 UTC

On today's tour through the jungle of Guadeloupe, we got to know the diversity of nature.So many different kinds of wild spices, fruits and medicinal herbs were shown to us and we could smell, feel and eat them.
The hike became an unforgettable experience and I realized how valuable this knowledge is. I was impressed by a conversation where we thought about what we call the "progressive nation", and we have forgotten so many things given by nature.
This knowledge is gaining in importance in times of climate change and its effects such as food shortages. Also, the usefulness of various medicinal herbs must not be forgotten, because it is questionable how long the antibiotics are still working, and one should ask yourself if you should really resort to chemicals in case of illness.

If this knowledge is lost, we forget something that our ancestors have been taking advantage of for a long time. We will lack the alternatives.

Another aspect is the bond with nature. Only when we engage in remembering, truly knowing and experiencing the priceless value of nature we really will protect our nature.

How much I would like to do this hike with my class, unfortunately it is too far for us. But based on that, I want to reflect with my students on our native plants, on our nature and what she gives us to preserve the knowledge of our grandparents, because much of it has already been lost.

NIVES

2019-11-08 01:18:27 UTC

Today we visited Guadeloupe's forest. The world of plants in Guadeloupe is very diverse and impressive. Volcano, sun and rain are the main components of fertile soil where many beautiful plants grow. I felt very home in the forest, because I spends a lot of my free time there and in that forest I saw many plants, which we also have in Slovenia, but as plants for the house. We were getting to know forest (as we often say in kindergarten) with all human senses: vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste. 

It is very important that we respect nature and live in it. The love of nature must also be passed on to the younger generations. Nature gives us so much, so we must respect and protect it. Nature was not created by us, it is only for borrowing. So we let's not forget that there are others behind us.
It was beautiful day.

Mateja

2019-11-08 01:38:35 UTC

Since ancient times, the forest has been a source of food and raw materials for humans, but at the same time represents a genuine contact with nature that we have perhaps lost recently. Walking through the Caribbean forest was magical. I respect nature and love the forest from a young age when I used to collect mushrooms, herbs, strawberries or firewood with my dad. But Creole Forest is so different. If we walk uphill in Slovenia, in Creol forest we are going downhill because of the nature of the volcanic origin. The houses are built on top, where the soil is less fertile, and the microclimate is more comfortable in the valley of the crater. I wanted to remember all the names of wonderful and mighty variety of plants but realized that it’s ok just to be enchanted by the forest. I was also impressed by the singing tale in Creole language - of a boy who called for help. It made me think that we should be aware that we always find shelter and help in nature. However, to pass this knowledge on to our children and students.It is interesting how in the culture of other cultures you always remember your tradition. As you look for similarities and differences, you develop an understanding, tolerance, and respect for both. In addition, I have learned many French words today.

Rita

rita100 — 2019-11-08 21:05:40 UTC

Educational visits are one of the best sources of real learning for all ages and groups. The life itself is a school where we never stop learning.
Mr Ferus Edgar, one of the founders of Kontakaz association, took us on a simple walk which turned to be a learning adventure where we could feel, smell, taste, listen and observe at the same time learning about the life in the ravines and their importance. I guess, we all came out with a little more knowledge, a little more courage, a little more positive attitude towards world and the people :)