"The Permaculturist"

21 June 2023

9 mins 58s

Gift of the fungi.

When someone asks Bemeriki Bisimwa Dusabe what he does, he says: "I love mushroom, I grow mushroom, I live in mushroom, I eat mushroom, I drink mushroom, and I smell mushroom." No, he's not addicted to shrooms—he's a farmer, teacher, and permaculture expert.

He's also a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and stars in the UNHCR's latest 'We Were Here' documentary. Now based in Uganda's Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Bemeriki teaches others how to grow their own food, with an emphasis on self-reliance after years of upheaval.

His story captures the imagination of Gaz Oakley, a Welsh cook who loves vegetables almost as much as Bemeriki. The two are kindred spirits that see permaculture as humanity’s best hope, and you can imagine these two chatting about amaranthus for days.

Bemeriki will be even happier once he's passed on his skills and knowledge to the next generation. Those who've been uprooted in the past can now put down roots wherever they go.

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