NO VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST.
Technology alone is not the answer; people must understand, participate, and take ownership of innovations in order for them to succeed. We recently (2011) offered a class in organic agriculture at the AgroPecuario high school in Urubamba, with emphasis on hands-on projects such as building compost piles and making natural fertilizers to replace the largely chemical fertilizers being used in the valley.
Examples of permaculture strategies include: creating compost and fertilizers out of waste products; planting cover crops; swales for harvesting rainwater; planting native trees that not only hold soil but also fix nitrogen or provide fruit; use of a "chisel plow" to allow water to infiltrate the soil while minimizing disruption of soil organisms; constructing biogas digesters to allow methane cooking gas to be captured from animal, human, and crop waste, while yielding a superior fertilizer and preventing deforestation; and much more!
Permaculture ethics are: Care of people, care of the land, and sharing the surplus. Permaculture design assesses the natural resources within an area and works with these in a way that provide benefits for human needs while working as closely to nature as possible.
Homestays with local families in Urubamba are available. Room and board cost only $10 a day. Permaculture projects will be worked upon for up to 5 hours a day, 25 hours a week, leaving plenty of free time for exploring the wonders of Inca ruins, the local culture, markets, hiking, and ceremonies.
Miriam Alper, a retired public health nurse from California, volunteered for a few weeks with the Listening Project.
"Participating in the Listening Project in Urubamba greatly enriched my experience traveling in the area of the Sacred Valley of Peru. Because of my fluency in Spanish, I was able to converse with people I might not have ordinarily interacted with, due to the Listening Project. It gave me deeper insight into the problems the community faces and how residents perceive them."
"Participating in the Listening Project in Urubamba greatly enriched my experience traveling in the area of the Sacred Valley of Peru. Because of my fluency in Spanish, I was able to converse with people I might not have ordinarily interacted with, due to the Listening Project. It gave me deeper insight into the problems the community faces and how residents perceive them."
Isabelle Duquesnay, an organic gardener, massage therapist and nursing student from France via Denmark, fluent in 4 languages, came to volunteer for 8 days.
"It’s been very interesting to take part in the dynamic of the river/water and permaculture agriculture project, even though for such short time. I realised the huge issue that the contamination of the rivers/water is, affecting the health of the earth and the people, as well the importance of the work to be done to save this fantastic Sacred Valley. The size and complexity of the water issue makes it very difficult to know where to start. How to sensibilise the population, the companies, the politicians? And so much more.
Anyway, I’m very impressed and inspired by all your work. It’s been a rich experience and inspiration to observe you putting so much energy and care in this issue, showing what and how much one person can do!! It has also been so great to participate in the teaching and the work with the youth from the agriculture school. Well such a fantastic way to come and experience a land, a little locality, a new culture. A great gift! Thank you for being one of them that walk their talk and for sharing it."
"It’s been very interesting to take part in the dynamic of the river/water and permaculture agriculture project, even though for such short time. I realised the huge issue that the contamination of the rivers/water is, affecting the health of the earth and the people, as well the importance of the work to be done to save this fantastic Sacred Valley. The size and complexity of the water issue makes it very difficult to know where to start. How to sensibilise the population, the companies, the politicians? And so much more.
Anyway, I’m very impressed and inspired by all your work. It’s been a rich experience and inspiration to observe you putting so much energy and care in this issue, showing what and how much one person can do!! It has also been so great to participate in the teaching and the work with the youth from the agriculture school. Well such a fantastic way to come and experience a land, a little locality, a new culture. A great gift! Thank you for being one of them that walk their talk and for sharing it."
_Caitlyn Hatzell from Pennsylvania volunteered for six weeks helping teach organic agriculture at the high school. Sometimes she got elbow-deep in compost!
"Peru is another world. The mountains of the Sacred Valley are captivating. And being able to volunteer at Agropecuario High School, in Urubumba, has offered me a unique perspective. I learned that when traveling to a foreign land, especially with a wish to contribute something positive, it is most important to abandon expectations and instead observe and listen. What I see and hear is the potential of the youth to make a difference."
"Peru is another world. The mountains of the Sacred Valley are captivating. And being able to volunteer at Agropecuario High School, in Urubumba, has offered me a unique perspective. I learned that when traveling to a foreign land, especially with a wish to contribute something positive, it is most important to abandon expectations and instead observe and listen. What I see and hear is the potential of the youth to make a difference."