Neil A White | Blog

I have recently returned from the south Spain volunteering at a sustainable and ecological community called Sunseed Desert Technology for just over 2 weeks.

Sunseed is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1986 and settled in the tiny village of Los Moliinos de Rio Aguas in 1987. The project has grown over the years, there are four houses in the village and can put up to 35 people. With a quarter of a hectare of irrigated terraces for organic growth, and access to many hectares of land for regeneration tests of dry and eroded hillsides recovery. Many low-tech methods are used for the least possible impact on the environment are used.

www.sunseed.org.uk

My plan was to develop my knowledge of gardening and permaculture, experience living in a community, learn new skills and meet like minded people / make new friends. Also, to have a much needed and long over due break away from photography and anything to do with the digital cyber world was high on the list. Having said that I did take one camera with me with the view of only taking pictures if I felt like it. After a few days I couldn’t help myself so I started snapping just for fun. Also space and time for reflection and a bit of inner searching. All of these things where happily met along with much more.

Other people also live in the village, some of which I met all very colourful interesting characters from what I could see living a sustainable life style off the grid and having a very nice time doing so. This I found very interesting. Not to mention the beauty of the nature all around which is very unique and powerful and to top it of 3 natural swimming pools to choose from.

My time at Sunseed was inspiring, fun, educational but for me the highlight was the people and the community. Living together, working together and hanging out together. This was a hugely positive experience and in my short time I learnt new things about myself and made new friends.

To sum up the village and and the valley of Los Moliinos is a special and unique place. I have come away with a better understanding of what a sustainable way of living is all about and lots of fond memories. When asking one of the villages Xevin Heaven if I could take a quick picture he replied "well you can take a slow picture if you want" that kind of summed up the place for me...

Charlie

Mel

Carmen

Leo

Mimi

Emilio

Chaba