In this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I speak with, Mariam Issa, story-teller, author, speaker, community gardener, community-builder, human rights activist and ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia.
A few years ago I met Mariam at an Australasian Permaculture Conference where she was a keynote speaker. We've been dear friends ever since. She has come to stay with me here in the ecovillage and I have visited her at the RAW Garden - a community garden in her suburban backyard in Melbourne.
Mariam arrived in Australia as a refugee over 20 years ago from Somalia, via Kenya. We speak together in the middle of Refugee Week here in Australia 14-20 June.
Mariam talks of how, through permaculture she found a way to belong in her new home, to connect, to contribute and help others. In her backyard, Mariam created a community garden where people come to grow, harvest and share delicious lovingly-prepared food right there in the garden. There are regular cooking classes led by people from all different cultures, regular gardening days and story-telling circles.
Her inspirational way of storytelling uplifts and transforms. She awakens the storyteller in each of us, and shows how, through connecting this way, we are able to make sense.
Links to Mariam's work
A Resilient Life is Mariam’s book about her refugee journey from Somalia to Australia.
Mariam and I also have chapters in the book Reclaiming the Urban Commons
Mariam is featured here in Dumbo Feather
Watch this clip about Mariam's Garden
Transcript
Check the transcript tab
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This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute, where she mentors people to design and teach permaculture in their own unique contexts.
Morag has been asking a central question for thirty years: How are we to live?These podcast conversations are part of her ongoing attempt to think that through in public, in community, with people who care.
Morag is also host of the Ethos Fellowship, Ethos Foundation, International Permaculture Festival of Wild Ideas, steward of Fritjof Capra's international Alumni Network, and member of the Ecocivilistation Coalition.
Discover Morag's permaculture design and teaching courses here.
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Morag records from her solar-powered studio in a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.
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