Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Angella is proud and excited to be at BLI. One thing that really excites her is her future as a female in the male-dominated agricultural industry. "No, I'm not nervous," she says. "I think its great to be unique!"
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Allen's favorite part of BLI is Lazarus' Forest. Less than 6 months into the program, she was already sharing knowledge. "By now, I already know very many different types of trees," she shared.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Deogratius joined BLI after spending time as an electrician, as he sees agriculture, particularly sustainable agriculture, as important for the future of his people and country. “We have a growing population, and we need to eat," he says. "I thus see organic farming as a very moral occupation. It keeps our nation healthy.”
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Growing up, Esther watched her mother farm every day. She wanted to do the same. "Even in primary school, farming was my dream," she shares. She knows BLI will give her the tools to follow this dream and plans to open a banana plantation and piggery upon graduation.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Hajara came to BLI with her brother, Jackson. They plan to be the first in their family to practice agriculture. "We plan to practice together, hopefully rearing poultry," Hajara shared.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
When Jovia was in high school, her father fell ill, which forced her to drop out due to a lack of funding for school fees. She then joined BLI and loves it, especially the forest. On the weekends, she already started bringing tree seedlings back to her home village, teaching her neighbors about reforestation.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Coming to BLI with his sister Hajara, Jackson plans to return to his home village after his time at BLI concludes. There, he will work with Hajara to build a farm based on the pillars of integral ecology.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Mary came to BLI after serving as a hairdresser for some time. She is excited to have the opportunity to be back out in the village and on the land. "I like it out here best," she says. "Here you can live with your people, live with your animals, and have forever fresh air.”
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Spacioza previously earned a certificate in agriculture. She joined BLI, however, to learn more holistic and sustainable methods of farming. She plans to have a poultry farm one day. "My dream is that one day, many people will visit my farm and see my techniques. They will come and tell others, ‘This here, is Spacioza’s poultry farm.’”
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Bubbly and outgoing, Sharon quickly makes friends with any guest that visits BLI. "In life, you always need friends. It is only together that we can accomplish things," she shared.
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort III
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV
Caretaker Trainee, Cohort IV