Earth Steward Apprenticeship review by Otis Schorr-Kon

I’ve attended the Earth Steward Apprenticeship for the past three years and it’s totally changed my life for the better.

It’s made me look at everything differently. I now see every drop of rainwater as the essence of life and all the animals and plants as my brothers and sisters on this beautiful planet.

I can’t begin to explain all the amazing things I’ve learned. We were taught physical skills – like to how to build a shelter from what you might find in the woods and how to purify water from a river or a lake. Without these types of skills the human race wouldn’t have survived for thousands of years.

The course has helped me understand that for most of our existence people have lived in harmony with the land. It’s given me ways to connect with the world that may seem weird to some people in modern life, but which help me stay grounded and happy.

The people I’ve met have mentored me and helped me to grow up. The rites of passage work has enabled me to build bonds with others that have become sacred friendships. I’m now part of a wonderful community where I know that I can get help and support when I need it.

Gratitude has become an important part of my life. I now understand that I’ve got so much to be grateful for. It’s taught me how to relate with curiosity to other people and all other living things. This has stayed with me after I’ve returned to the ‘normal’ world. When I see sadness in others or the destruction of nature, I understand how to relate to it.

When I came to the end of the programme I just wanted to do it all over again!