By Gary Scheirman | Director
This report presents both positive and negative outcomes.
Challenges: The Maleku encountered setbacks with their agricultural goals. The sprouts of the three herbal plants they selected for this years harvest all perished. Unlike last year, when the sprouts died due to insufficient water, this year's excessive rainfall led to fungal infections that caused the plants to fail.
Successes: In early 2025, our scheduled meeting with the Maleku faced challenges because of an unexpected development. They received the good news that 70 hectares (173 acres) of original Maleku land, previously under non-Maleku ownership, was being returned to them. This land restitution provides an unprecedented opportunity for some Maleku who had never owned land to finally claim ownership.
As part of the reclamation process, the regulation requires living on the property prior to its formal return. The Maleku prioritized this obligation over continuing work on the Tea Project.
Decision: Soulgives has decided to discontinue the Tea Project. The Maleku have chosen to use the reclaimed land for cattle raising rather than farming. While we understood that farming would require significant changes to their traditional practices, we had hoped their appreciation for the forest might inspire a shift from foraging to cultivation.
Future Plans: Soulgives will apply the lessons learned from the Maleku Tea Project, as well as insights from MUIH and other collaborators, to identify a new partner within Costa Rica to produce exceptional medicinal teas for the world.
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