The film trailer, by award winning Australian filmmaker Gary Caganoff, portrays the lives of the hardest hit, the widows and orphans, who number in tens of thousands, following two remarkable Australian women; humanitarian, Mahboba Rawi, and internationally recognised permaculturalist Rosemary Morrow, who offer alternatives to the 'reconstruction' efforts that have not worked. Through these two remarkable women Caganoff elicits stories and images of Afghanistan rarely seen before. Neither sentimental nor sensational the film is remarkable, reaching into the depths and complexities of war torn Afghanistan. The questions that arise for people after seeing the film are 'how can I help? What can I do?' This site is aimed at answering those questions and creating an active and empowered community that is able to create real dialogue and take action around the issues of war and peace. Full length feature available from www.green-shopping.co.uk
To view the Leaf St video click here.
Leaf Street Community Garden is situated on an old street which cuts through the 'Redbricks' estate in Hulme, immediately south of Manchester City Centre. In June 1999 a 72 Hour Permaculture Design Course was delivered by local permaculture teachers, Angus Soutar, 'Jungle' Jen, and Rob Squires. During the course a practical design project was undertaken, during which plans for the garden was developed. Practical activities also took place during the course, and the first raised bed was created at the southern end of the garden. The picture above show how Leaf Street used to be - a barren strip of grass, with nothing going on except the occasional dog walking. The picture to the left shows Hulme resident Jeem, who was one of the participants on the course, working on a permaculture design for the garden.


