By Karina Ormeno | Communications Coordinator
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are in the heart of the rainy season here in the Amazon rainforest, a season which reminds us of growth—not just for the plants that waited patiently through the dry months, but also for the work and dreams we nurture together. This season marks a time of renewal, gratitude, and planning. The perfect moment to reflect on the past year and look forward with hope and excitement to what lies ahead.
In late October, our team visited communities along the Marañón River, where our Kukama women leaders have been guiding our agroforestry project for nearly two years. During the visit, we provided tailored support and technical guidance to 12 families across four communities. Each visit focuses on different families to ensure personalized attention, allowing us to monitor progress, address specific needs, and answer questions. At the same time, we reinforced the skills of our four Kukama leaders, both in their own plots and in their mentorship of other families.
At our Permaculture Center, we’ve been making strides in innovation and learning. Serving as a demonstration site and learning hub, the center welcome indigenous peoples, local communities, and visitors from around the world. One exciting development has been the creation of a solar dehydrator using local materials. With leadership from Pauline, one of our volunteers, we successfully tested it on fruits like bananas and mangos. This innovation offers a sustainable way to preserve and market local produce. We also established a new agroforestry plot, the “Pijuayal,” named after the cherished palm fruit. This plot will enhance our supply of perennial fruit species, while showcasing how agroforestry can provide a steady and diversified year-round harvest.
In recent months, we’ve seen an increase in visitors, volunteers, and trainees at our Permaculture Center. We’ve hosted 11 short-term visitors, 19 trainees—eight of whom stayed on as volunteers—and 15 additional volunteers. During this time, we were fortunate to be joined by two long-term residents, volunteers who committed to staying and playing a key role in our ongoing projects. Each visitor, trainee, and volunteer leave a lasting impact, contributing to our work and vision.
Last month, we closed the year with a workshop for the local communities we work with. These families, who share our commitment to a thriving Amazon, have become our trusted partners over the years. The event was an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, strengthen our connections, and plan for the future. It’s inspiring to work alongside families who bring so much dedication and enthusiasm to our shared goals. Like you, they are an essential part of making our work possible.
As we plan for 2025, we’re drawing on the experiences of this past year to deepen our efforts in creating a regenerative and intercultural Amazon. With every plant that takes root, we are reminded of the hope and resilience that guides our work. We are grateful for this growing community—a community that includes you—and we look forward to what we can achieve together in the coming year.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Chaikuni Team
By Diego Carhuaricra | Coordinator of the Chaikuni Center
By Karina Ormeno | Communications Coordinator
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