IWS - Women and Ecology Wholeness Farm

Women and Ecology Wholeness Farm
Mendez, Cavite

In 1997 the Institute undertook to rehabilitate and develop a 1.2 hectare fruit and coffee orchard in Mendez, Cavite, 70km south of Manila, that has been left idle for 20 years. The farm now serves as a “laboratory” for illustrating the principles imparted in the training and demonstrating a possible alternative lifestyle that is environment-friendly and sustainable. Other highlights of the farm include a mushroom house and butterfly sanctuary.

The Women and Ecology Wholeness Farm, or Ecofarm demonstrates an alternative lifestyle that is environment friendly, junk-free and sustainable. It practices organic, bio-diverse farming, and ecological, biogas based waste management.

There are two (2) seminar-houses that can accommodate 50 people and includes a secretariat room, a spacious conference/plenary hall, a kitchen and refectory. Hermitage rooms for those seeking to work or reflect in silence. There is also a Zen sitting room and prayer/medication lofts.

The fishpond is a cooperation project with the Cavite State University that seeks to improve on traditional fish-breeding techniques.

Farming is organic, with the use of compost derived from the farm's own waste, as well as those of nearby households which have been enrolled into the cause of a sustainable, environment-friendly waste management.

Course Offerings

The course on Women and Ecology aims to make women aware of their place in the ecological system, to awaken in them concern for the environment, and to demonstrate an alternative sustainable lifestyle. Because the course is modular in format, duration can be adjusted from five to 21 days.

The course consists of lectures, exposure program, workshops, women celebrations, health exercises, and actual farmwork - composting, cultivating and planting.

The course also includes:

Ecofeminism - concept and process
State of Ecology - global, regional and national
Ecological Advocacy and Alternatives
Holistic Health and Alternative Healing
Ecofeminist Creation and Spirituality

The daily schedule also includes:

Shibashi, an oriental form of meditative exercise
Paneurythmic dance, a cosmic dance from Belgium

Exposure trips to other bio-diverse farms are also organized.

Ecofarm Rates

(for groups of 15 persons and more)

Full package - Php 700.00 (3 meals, 2 snacks with overnight stay)

All food served are healthy and organic.
Other packages/special arrangements are offered depending on the number of persons and meals to be served.
Reservations are considered confirmed only upon payment of reservation fee (50%)Upon cancellation, 80% of the reservation fee made will be refunded.
Only guests with reservations are accepted.

St. Scholastica's College, Manila ● Institute of Women's Studies ● Tel.: (632) 522-3551 / Telefax: 523-0693 ● iwsmnl@yahoo.com / iws@ssc.edu.ph