Following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti; four people (see profile section for more information on the founding members) got together to form a group called ‘Sustainable Support’  with the intention of creating a network to provide sustainable support directly: community to community.

We were spurred into action with a great calling to engage with something tangible, transparent and sustainable. We had all individually been looking for something worthwhile to work with, not just to donate to.

We quickly realised we were faced with a challenge. We wanted to offer a way for people to engage in a more rewarding way than just giving money. We wanted to make a direct human connection with our community and other communities and help catalyse networks geared toward positive action through empowering each other with knowledge, training and skills and in so doing, create a sustainable way forward.

With Haiti in mind, we came up with an idea based on a film we watched called ‘Garbage Warrior’. The film features the American architect, Michael Reynolds, who for the past thirty years has been building sustainable eco housing called ‘Earthships’ using a technology he calls ‘Biotecture’. In brief ‘Earthships’ are fully self sustaining homes, from power to water filtration to water supplies and more. In the film Michael visited the Andaman Islands after the 2004 Tsunami, and in a very direct and hands on way, got involved with helping people re- build their communities sustainably, providing them with better housing solutions than they had in the first place. Michael did not work with conventional charities and governments, he went in without a big budget and literally taught the local people to rebuild their homes from garbage (e.g. old car tyres, glass and plastic bottles), earth and other recyclable materials (hence the title ‘Garbage Warrior’).

We contacted Michael to see if he would go to Haiti to do a similar thing and he was already formulating plans to do just that. We’re initially looking to raise money to support his work. This is just a starter for us. What we would really like to do is get this technology, which is firmly rooted in sustainability, and train our own people in Derby to go out and help too, regardless of where in the world the problems may be. 

We approached a few people we knew to ask if they would offer some help in forming our foundation, and here we are. What we want to do now is reach out and ask you if you’re with us. 

What we are most interested in is people’s time and energy, something we believe is priceless. It’s important for people who are interested to put in the time that is feasible for them, whether it be one hour a month or one hour a day. Currently we’re on the lookout for someone who has land they would like to put to good use, and help us build some Earthship training sites and people with skills in construction who would be interested in learning about Earthships and how to build them with the view to training volunteers wanting to go over to build.  

If you like the sound of what we are doing and want to get involved here are some suggestions of what you might be able to do: 

- Fundraising Events (e.g. Sports, Music, Dance, Community)
- Social Networking Events
- Construction Skills
-  Horticulture
- Can you think of more? Please feel free to contact us with ideas

Some other ideas for you are in the support we have already been offered (all free of charge) a graphic designer who designed our logo, web designer who built the website, media communicator, solicitor, chartered accountant to do our books, a printer to do our printing, a plumber to become a trainer and even a bespoke jeweller who wants to design a pin badge for us!  All this before we even launched! 

Our core principles are financial transparency, sustainability and voluntary interaction.

Through this work we hope to engage the hearts and minds of people and re-ignite the ethos of community to a new and exciting level. Communities that work together to teach, learn, share, respect and empower, with responsible and sustainable goals at the heart of their work. Community  supporting Community.

Life on Earth: We are all in this together!