Weyburn This Week Story - October 28, 2009
Malawi delegation visits Weyburn
(L-R) Dr. Abu Bockarie of the University of Regina and Nancy Chitera and Steven Taulo of the University of Malawi Polytechnic listened while Rodney Sidloski of HELP International discussed the 70,000 hybrid poplar tree nursery at the Centre for Ecology Research and Training.
A delegation from the University of Malawi (U of M) Polytechnic in Africa was in Weyburn on October 28 as part of a research study tour. The group is part of a six-year study, partnered with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), SIAST and the University of Regina , to improve the curriculum and skills training at the U of M. The scope of the project involves policy and planning, management development, curriculum development, research and distance education, as well as cross-cutting themes of gender equality, HIV/AIDS education, environmental issues, and entrepreneurship.
The delegation received information and a tour of the HELP International Centre for Ecology Research and Training (CERT) in Weyburn. The group learned about CERT's innovations in agro-forestry such as their tomato root training results for drought resistance and improved productivity and low-cost tree proliferation techniques. The delegation also learned about HELP's innovations in zero-waste technologies and saw demonstrations of their soil compression brick press, roof tile manufacturing, manual post-hole auger and Stairmaster irrigation pump.
The group also visited the Weyburn Landfill to see the landfill flood plain forest filter installed by HELP and a 12-row forest buffer along Souris River , which is part of HELP's long-term commitment with the City to create a solid tree corridor from Weyburn to Nickle Lake Reservoir.
A visit to Halbrite's living landfill cap and first community-wide effluent irrigation woodlot in Saskatchewan was also on the group's agenda. They learned about Halbrite's waste management tag system and recycling. The town is expected to begin Styrofoam recycling in November with HELP pre-positioned containers.
The group went to Stewart Steel to view their mid-way upgraded design and fabrication of HELP's first low-tech $1,000 motorized paper mill for African and Canadian application. The delegation met with several partners of HELP during an evening reception where they discussed their aspirations for Africa.
.: MEDIA 2009 