OLIVEDA for Africa
a project by OLIVE TREE PEOPLE
Why water wells in Africa of all things, and what does that have to do with our mountain olive trees?
The property on which Thomas (founder of OLIVE TREE PEOPLE) lived during his time in Spain reliably supplied him and his family with water from a 110-meter-deep well. One day, there was no more water because a neighbor a few hundred meters away had drilled an even deeper well.
This example made it very clear to Thomas what is happening in the world: intensive industrial agriculture in the so-called developed nations is, quite literally, draining developing countries of their water through its gigantic consumption.
Although OLIVE TREE PEOPLE does not practice intensive agriculture, but rather extensive and sustainable farming, Thomas still wanted to take action against this exploitation. In August 2013, he launched the water project “OLIVEDA for Africa” and began building one well in Africa for every 100 hectares of mountain olive tree land acquired by OLIVEDA. In the Senegalese villages of Mhaba and Pellew, 80 kilometers from the capital Dakar, Thomas broke ground for the first two wells, which were to reach depths of 35 and 80 meters.
Thomas with the Mhaba chief,Senegal 2013
Today, around 15,000 residents in various villages are supplied with water from OLIVEDA wells. But it’s not just water that OLIVE TREE PEOPLE brings to the people. Through various initiatives and by combining tradition and innovation, we help ensure—both in Africa and in Andalusia—that young people once again see meaning in staying in their home village or region, building their careers there, and making a difference, instead of moving to cities or other countries, which would leave more and more villages and communities abandoned.
Our actions are intended to contribute to a society that increasingly evolves into an OLIVE TREE SOCIETY – a society that, like the olive tree, is a symbol of life, love, and peace.
WE ARE OLIVE TREE PEOPLE
AND WHAT ARE YOU?