Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia
“Sweet As” Food and Water
Discover permaculture design + community building principles, eat healthy, & live sustainably.
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350 + students and volunteers
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Welcome to Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia, where the name carries a profound connection to both the land and heritage. "Kaiwai," rooted in Don Simon’s New Zealand lineage, holds deep meaning in the indigenous Maori language, symbolizing the vital essence of “food” and “water.”
This intentional name guides our commitment to harmonize these elemental forces through sustainable agriculture. With permaculture as our compass, we cultivate a thriving ecosystem that promises abundant sustenance for generations.
Since 2014, Certified Permaculture Designer Simon has transformed his modest plot of land in the Bolivian countryside from barren soil into a lush oasis with eco-cabins, a duck pond, and innovative water management systems. Abundant gardens and fruitful trees ensure a year-round harvest. The site thrives with animals, contributing to our vibrant ecosystem.
Beyond our borders, we're proud members of a local syndicate, actively participating in communal decisions, meetings, and Bolivian celebrations. Together, we foster unity and shared purpose. Our goal is not just self-sufficiency, but community-sufficiency. Join us on this extraordinary voyage toward a sustainable future.
In our permaculture course, we aim to empower participants to cultivate a sustainable lifestyle by producing nourishing food, achieving energy self-sufficiency, and generating surplus fertilizers for potential sale or trade. By integrating these essential elements, we provide a holistic approach to sustainable living. Recognizing the interconnectedness of our bodies and minds with nature, we have incorporated techniques and strategies that promote self-care practices. With Simon's extensive 15-year experience in studying and actively practicing permaculture, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn hands-on from the successful projects on his land.
The Location
Mizque, Misk’i, which means "sweet" in Quechua, is a charming campesino town located just 3 hours away from the city of Cochabamba. Known for its fertile climate, Mizque has earned the reputation of "Todo da en Mizque," meaning that almost anything can thrive in its soil. From luscious grapes used for wine or guarapo, to papayas, prickly pear cactus, olive trees, and a variety of native medicinal plants, Mizque is a haven for agricultural abundance. The town is also rich in indigenous culture, with a vibrant sense of pride that is beautifully showcased through its colorful traditions."
The Accommodation
At Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia, we offer two eco-cabin accommodations. The Marae is perfect for couples and can comfortably sleep up to a family of 5. The Smurf House can accommodate up to 8 people, featuring a loft and curtain dividers for privacy.
We prioritize sustainability and have two running toilets on the property, as well as two dry-composting toilet systems. These systems direct urine to swales and waste to fruit trees, creating a closed-loop nutrient cycle.
For our guests' comfort, we have implemented solar-heated water hose technology, ensuring hot water is available in our three on-site showers.
The Nourishment
At our farm, we are passionate about eating well! We source the freshest vegetarian meals and exotic fruits and vegetables directly from our gardens, neighbors, and extended community, ensuring a farm-to-table experience.
We take great pride in creating our own vinegars, sauces, breads, yogurts, spice blends, and much more from scratch in our farm kitchen. This allows us to deliver the purest ingredients to our visitors, emphasizing the importance of food as medicine.
In addition to our culinary offerings, we also craft our own tea blends, tinctures, and fusions using the organic abundance of medicinal plants grown in our gardens and consciously foraged from the surrounding nature."
Upcoming Permaculture Course
Immerse yourself in the world of permaculture and learn how to design sustainable systems that harmonize with nature wherever you live. Our course combines hands-on learning, practical theory, and healthy eating to provide a transformative experience. Join us to learn permaculture practices such as organic gardening, water conservation, soil regeneration, companion planting, animal integration, and much more.
October 24th-31st, 2023
Review
“We learned some amazing ways of creating a food forest in our back yard, making our own chemical-free Bokashi compost, ways of making an instant garden at home, the importance of heirloom seeds, soil health, simple water management systems and SO MUCH more.
The produce was largely off the shade gardens on the farm and that meant each meal was fresh, organic and cooked with love.
Mizque is home to a warm & enthusiastic farming community & the stunning mountains and gorges around are dotted with Inca ruins and some breathtaking flora and fauna.
Some bonus learnings on the farm were learning to make a traditional paint with cactus, some authentic chimichurri, & black tea kombucha.
Mizque & the adjoining town of Cochabamba are a treasure-trove of people and places, and I am SURE to come back here.”
- Manjiri (India)
Want to volunteer with us?
At Kaiwai Permaculture, we regularly welcome volunteers each month, providing a unique chance for travelers to immerse themselves in farm life through hands-on and diverse projects.
Unlock an exclusive $10 discount on a Worldpackers membership by signing up with our link.
If you didn’t already know, Worldpackers is a dynamic online platform connecting travelers with host communities across 170 countries. This innovative platform empowers travelers to trade their skills for more than just accommodation but also to enjoy meals, language lessons, cultural activities, gardening and farming, and so much more.
Ask us for more information about our volunteer program!
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