The hive

"Madera in transition" is a group of people who tries to show new possibilities, new ways to build a better, more sustainable and more environmentally friendly world. Predominately are glances of hope that intend to reverse the idea of ​​a society increasingly dehumanized and less supportive.

How surfaces the group "Madera in transition"?
Margarida Sousa: The group was born out of a conference of Álvaro Fonseca, professor at the New University of Lisbon, about "the rebirth of citizenship," in the end everyone had questions and problems they wanted to solve. So we decided to arrange a meeting, under the theme "build a new world" and each person brought into the conversation what we thought was important to change our society and thus arises "Madera in transition." People meet and one of them suggested the creation of a fair trade, another a film cycle and other still wanted to bring traditional European dances. Our motto is to share an idea and so it is more likely to happen. People bring these projects and who identifies with the concept and wants to make it happen, participates.

Other aspects of the group are the workshops.
MS: That came on with the trade fair, for this particular event we invited the gene bank at the University of Madeira. They brought their seeds, we brought our own and there was an exchange. After we felt appropriate, in addition to the seeds, they did a workshop where we were taught how to collect the seeds and explain the work of the bank, because this group is very attached to permaculture, everything that has to do with ecology and sustainability. All workshops around these aspects interest us. Another project that emerged under "volunteering Madera" was the creation of a community arboretum for this because I contacted the regional directorate of agriculture that will provide training in order to implement this idea.

Where all this work began?
Maurília Cró: In the French brook, Santa Cruz. After the fires, after the cleaning, we made the recovery of the all area, mostly the soil. One of the things that were completely destroyed was the earth, was all black, and burned. It was devastating. We had some knowledge on permaculture, which speaks primarily on how to take care for the soil and earth, we felt fit to put into practice all what we learn. We've been aligning trunks because of the rain and we begin to make a nursery of trees and plants to replant after, since we are in the first phase that is preparing the ground. At the end we will use vegetables seeds and fruit trees and begin to replant.

Tell me a little bit what was the reaction of people to your arrival at the site?
MC: It was very interesting. The people received us with open arms. They lost everything, their houses were burned, but they were worried about the gardens, no longer had them. They wanted flowers, orchids and booties. This demonstrates the value that people place on plants.

How many elements have the group as a whole?
MS: It is difficult to quantify because it is a very open group. At the trade fair we had 150 people, depends from event to event. In general meetings we've had between 10 to 30 people. It is very variable. Our motto is: I can be here today, but tomorrow I might not be. We have no big plans, nor presidents.