Ayni, Regenerative Food Forest in the Amazon

Dear friends and supporters,

We step into the new year with thanks and optimism, wishing you a strong and fulfilling start. Your support fuels our purpose, and we're eager to share the exciting progress we've made during the past months.

Over the years, we have cultivated partnerships with various organizations that share our goals and vision, both locally and internationally, many of them indigenous. We are excited to let you know that we recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation (GTANW). While international law recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to autonomy and their intact integral ancestral territories, unfortunately, Perú has yet to do so. Despite this antiquated Peruvian legislation, the Wampis went ahead, got organized and, as the first indigenous peoples in Peru, auto declared themselves as an indigenous nation in Peru. Our newly established alliance with the GTANW opens doors to a multitude of possibilities and collaborative efforts with the Wampis people.

As the first activity of this agreement with the Wampis Nation, in late October, we welcomed two young Wampis interns, Noe and Leydi, to our Permaculture Center, for a one-month training and knowledge exchange. Our team also guided Noe and Leydi in designing their own projects, for forest regeneration and the strengthening of their culture, which they hope to implement in their communities. We maintain close contact with Leydi and Noe and are looking forward to seeing how they will manage to turn their project ideas into reality.

The recovery of Amazonian traditional knowledge is at the core of our mission, a journey we share not only with local and indigenous communities but also with international visitors. Since our last report we welcomed our firsts trainees and continued to receive volunteers. Breen, from Ireland, became a resident and as such an integral part of our team, after having been a volunteer with us for three months. Long-term volunteers become more involved, and we encourage them to play a more significant role in our projects and the development of our Center.

Our Permaculture Center is not just a demonstration site but also a meeting place where indigenous leaders, interns, students, local families, our team from across Peru, as well as international visitors come together to exchange and appreciate a wide range of diverse experiences. In the end of October, we welcomed the first participants in our new “Traditional Knowledge for Self Sufficiency” course, focusing on Amazonian knowledge skills and offering strategies for creating a sustainable and thriving environment.

Last month, a storm felled some trees in an area of our Permaculture Center. Our team seized this natural process in the Amazon rainforest to establish a new demonstrative agroforestry plot with an emphasis on citrus trees. Adapting to and living in harmony with the Amazonian ecosystem might be challenging, but it also offers great opportunities. At the Chaikuni Institute, we try to turn the challenges into opportunities and solutions. Knowing that supporters like you not only sustain our ongoing efforts but also contribute to our continuous growth, we continue our mission to regenerate the Amazon with great optimism.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Chaikuni Institute Team

Links:

• Join us as a trainee or volunteer