What has emerged in Aguano Muyuna is a simple yet effective, universally applicable model for generating abundance – be it the kind of abundance required to initiate new projects, or the kind of abundance required to enhance the lifestyles of existing or indigenous communities. What follows is the original overview of what is now emerging in Peru, written by Greg Paul…
“So it looks like we now have some real direction established for how we move ahead – there was a meeting of the village a few days ago, to which everyone was invited, where they basically had an opportunity to question me forwards, backwards and sideways… (this was arranged in response to my request to have the villagers fill out a questionnaire so that we could ensure that all our efforts were in alignment with their wishes)
The overwhelming desire of the villagers (aside from their wanting a bridge over the river!) is to realise more potential from the products they grow (mostly coffee and cacao). Likewise, what is needed generally is a steady revenue flow to support village projects and initiatives.
And so an obvious solution has emerged which kills two birds with one stone – we intend to establish a non-profit association in Peru for the purpose of conducting trade in the villager’s products, in order that the profits generated can be employed to 1. Generally increase compensation to producers in and around the village, 2. Conduct projects in the village which enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants, and 3. Fund the development of the proposed New Earth community and venue.
Thus we have outlined a universally applicable enterprise model to restore prosperity to the people of indigenous communities around the world – beginning with Aguano Muyuna – facilitating for the first time, the ability for the native peoples (which is all of us) to maximally access and benefit from the abundant resources under their stewardship, and in a truly sustainable fashion.
The process is beginning by creating one single ‘brand’ which has both real meaning and pride to the local peoples AND real market appeal.
All of the products which issue as part of the local program will be marketed and identified under the chosen brand.
Each local program will begin by identifying the simplest and/or highest yielding opportunity (not so much monetarily but qualitatively and sustainably), in order that the greatest benefit is realised in the shortest possible time, thereby providing a faster growing program.
Sufficient product lines will be developed in order to provision for the involvement of ALL community members (or at least all those who wish to participate).
All profits from the program will be used for philanthropic purposes within the host village/region.
At a given point in time (when the villagers have sufficiently learnt all aspects of the business management, ownership and control of the product line/brand will be transferred to a local cooperative ran by the villagers, with all profits shared and distributed at their discretion. A 10% tithe will be paid by the cooperative, in perpetuity, for the purpose of establishing or supporting other programs in other regions.
Aguanana
Aguanana is the proposed name of Aguano Muyuna’s brand… The name has not been finalised but it is the leading choice for the following reasons:
- It relates directly to the name of the village itself (it is in fact an alternative name sometimes used for the village) and will therefore help to put Aguano Muyuna ‘on the map’
- Being derived from the name of the village, it will create a true sense of ownership and pride by the local people, which in turn will help to ensure its success.
- It has an excellent ring to it, and it is a name of the earth which will have great appeal in the conscious/sustainable/alternative market, but most of all…
- Everyone in the village loves it!
What it’s all about
Aguanana’s ‘Sal de la Tierra’
We have at our disposal a near unlimited supply of salt – (Aguana Muyuna sits on one giant salt crystal) and it truly is the best salt in the world – all of the world’s most potent famous salts (pink from Himalayas, black from middle east, blue etc etc) all exist in this one single 150 mile crystal on which we are sat – nowhere else on earth can boast the same condition.
Pink, brown, beige, black and blue salt (unprocessed as rock) are all mined by the local people from locations within 3 hours walk from the village. When the salts are mixed together, they possess a powerful (and measureable) energetic quality that does not exist with any of the salts on their own (or any other salt on the planet).
The maximum we will ever be able to extract is 40t/month (a number given to us by a local land engineer who calculated what the maximum amount would be for the operation to remain sustainable). We propose to begin with 10t/month.
The machinery required to process the salt has been offered free of charge by Jamil. The machine can process 2 tons salt every hour (10t/day), and is therefore sufficient to handle all current and future supply.
Once the salt operation is properly established, we will move on to coffee & cacao – all the while employing the profits that issue to fulfil the full spectrum of the Peru New Earth Project objectives!
A universal template
What is actually emerging here is a very simple template which is universally applicable to any community creation or enhancement project – something which is as easily employed by a landowner or group of people with no money who want to create a conscious community, as it is by an NGO who is working with indigenous groups around the world.
It is time at last that charitable organisations cease giving out aid – throwing money at problems with no realistic likelihood of them being solved, and instead begin applying intelligent solutions which create true sustainability for all people in all ways.
And so it begins – we are aiming to be fully operational (in respect of salt processing) in 7 weeks’ time… I’ll let you know how we get on.
I’m very glad it has worked out this way – that we did not arrive here with any of the millions of dollars of funding which have been promised but are yet to materialise; that instead we have had the opportunity to start from scratch, drawing upon our own creativity and ingenuity… that, after all, is what NewEarth is all about!
Originally posted @ New Earth Institute – Faculty of Exchange & Commerce
