Plant & Soil

The Challenges in Transitioning from Nomadic Life to Permanent Settlement Due to social, economic, and security developments, the Bedouin tribe of Al-Rashaida in the Judean Desert has become entirely dependent on external food sources to feed their families and livestock. Their community in the desert, relatively isolated from large communities and with extreme living and climate conditions, makes it difficult for them to maintain their unique way of life, sustain their livelihoods, and strive for sustainable independence in terms of food and water sources. The Transformation of the Younger Generation To overcome their dependency, the tribe members must adopt practical tools and precise, innovative knowledge. This will enable them to develop sustainable long-term solutions. We believe that imparting knowledge to the younger generation will not only educate them about the values of nature and environmental conservation theoretically but also involve them in the family experience of growing food for themselves and their livestock. How the Project Creates Change The project will be conducted in parallel within the education system through weekly lessons and practical experiences in a dedicated greenhouse, allowing them to experience the entire process from planting seeds to bringing food to the table. This way, the children will be exposed to the importance of nurturing their environment, growing orchards and vegetables for their daily consumption, and grains for their livestock. The children will also involve their parents and the older generation in the process of adapting their lifestyle from the nomadic past to the complex reality of today. Therefore, the goal of the project is to provide sustainable knowledge for growing food to the Bedouin population to support their process of becoming independent and not reliant on food sources outside the desert. We expect to see the beginning of the change within three months, as our educational greenhouse will start producing vegetable seedlings and fruit tree saplings. The village children participating in the project will take these home for further cultivation, as part of their assignments to practically apply the learned material. To arrange an explanatory call about the project and to explore collaboration opportunities, please contact Yizhar Cohen-Tzedek at 054-6161004 or via email at zuruk2000@gmail.com.