Ayni, Regenerative Food Forest in the Amazon

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

Dear friends and supporters,

We are grateful to share some of the recent developments from our ongoing work at the Chaikuni Institute. Over the past few months, we have focused on deepening connections with local communities and creating spaces for knowledge exchange. Your continued support has made all this possible, and we’re excited to show you what we’ve achieved together.

Fostering Knowledge with Indigenous Youth
In August, we were honoured to host nine indigenous students from the OEPIAP (Organization of Indigenous Students of the Peruvian Amazon) at our Permaculture Center for a week-long workshop. The students, who came from the Wampis, Awajún, Kichwa, and Kukama communities, participated in sessions on sustainable practices such as native bee management, intercultural health, and methods for developing their own Chacra Integrals. The week wasn’t just about learning techniques—it also provided an opportunity for reflection, as the students discussed how they could bring these practices back to their own communities to create positive, long-term impacts.

Sharing Sustainable Forestry Practices in Shapajilla
In our ongoing effort to support the Kukama community of Shapajilla, we worked alongside 17 families to assist in registering their mahogany and other timber trees with the National Forestry Plantation Registry. Together, we georeferenced over 820 trees, helping the community take a significant step toward managing their forests sustainably. This project highlights the importance of sharing knowledge on sustainable land use, ensuring that future generations can benefit from these valuable natural resources.

Sustainable Pest Management: Sharing New Techniques
On August 5, we facilitated a Sustainable Pest Management Workshop for 12 local farmers from nearby communities. The farmers, who have all been developing a Chacra Integral on their land, were eager to learn how to manage pests using natural and biological methods. We focused on prevention through biodiversity and explored the use of natural predators and homemade remedies. The farmers left with a better understanding of how maintaining balance in their fields helps avoid harmful infestations. These workshops are an essential part of our mission to share practical sustainability knowledge.

Inspiring the Next Generation
On August 22, we organized a hands-on workshop for 14 children from the 3 Unidos community, teaching them about the importance of native stingless bees. Through interactive activities and a visit to our bee colonies, the children learned how these bees play a vital role in pollination and the local ecosystem. We believe that sharing this knowledge with the younger generation will help foster a lasting appreciation for their environment.

Learning and Sharing: Pio’s Journey
A standout story from this quarter is the progress of Pio, an Awajún student who is doing his internship with us. Pio’s dedication to studying and caring for our native bee colonies has been remarkable. He recently shared his knowledge by leading a workshop on meliponiculture for local children, marking a significant moment in his learning journey. Pio’s work is a powerful example of how sharing knowledge can lead to positive change within a community.

Navigating Challenges Together
As always, nature presents us with challenges. This quarter, we faced unexpected droughts and strong winds, which impacted many of our Chacra Integral plots and made it harder to access our Center due to low water levels in the Nanay River. Additionally, two of our bee colonies were attacked by “choras” bees, which resulted in the loss of one colony. We are working hard to monitor the remaining colonies closely and adapt to the unpredictable climate. Despite these challenges, our focus on resilience and community-based solutions remains strong.

Looking Ahead
In the coming months, we will continue supporting Pio as he completes his internship and prepares a report on best practices for managing native bees. We are also planning additional technical workshops for local farmers, helping them further develop their Chacra Integral. Another exciting project on the horizon is the production of eco-friendly soaps, made using ingredients from our Center and sourced from indigenous communities. This initiative will provide sustainable products while supporting local economies.

Thank you for your continued belief in our work. Your support allows us to strengthen connections, share knowledge, and work towards a sustainable future for the Amazon and its people.

With gratitude

The Chaikuni Team