La Biosfera is an educative mountain
adventure and healing retreat-in-progress in Nicaragua that encourages volunteerism and
cultural exchange while working organically on quality of life issues.
Suzanne with 2010 coffee season pickings @ La Biosfera; Malacco & Katurra varieties.
Working within a sort of hybrid model of creative conflict resolution and co-creative science, principal Suzanne Wopperer works with associates, volunteers and locals to realize the multi-faceted work of La Biosfera. Recognizing that We're All in This Together, that life is fragile and/or unpredictable, that most everything is invented in life's transit within the constraints or opportunities presented by our strengths and weaknesses, and that it could all blow tomorrow, we do what we collectively can to alleviate poverty, raise environmental consciousness, educate, and truly enjoy ourselves -- because it is no joke, laughter IS the best medicine.
Low-Cost Solutions for Poor Folks
See the Long Haul in Lodging for more pix on earthbag bunkhouse and other related work.
Nicaragua's probably first earthbag home. And you can sleep in it. Mi casa es su casa.
COMPOST TOILETS: Separate Urine and Feces into useful products. We wonder why it is not a worldwide phenomenon.
EARTHBAG LODGE: "The Long Haul" - Cobb, Waddle&Daub, o Taquezal. Then Stucco'ed. Floor part of the old Hotel Rosa.
ROCKET STOVE: Burns 1/4 wood a traditional "horno" burns. Boils 2L water in 7 minutes. Materials: Free
BICI-MAQUINA: Mobile electricity unit, energy generated by exercise. Quite a concept.
TRASH BRICKS: Why not? Think what damage would be done in an earthquake: Virtually NONE!
RUBBER BUNKS: Recycled truck tire strips tacked to fallen wood from the forest. Really, really comfortable. Every bunk with a view.
SOLAR OVEN under $10
ORGANIC FOOD
WATER CATCHMENT
Volunteers Welcomed!
La BiOsfera is a
permaculture-based, volunteer-assisted, educative healing retreat in the cloud
forest just 4kms south of Jinotega that offers a hacienda-styled, best-view
wayfarers' lodge. Internationalists, IR interns, war veterans, backpackers, folks downsized, ennui'ed and
others in trauma, addiction or disease recovery willing to work in exchange for
a lodging discount are warmly welcomed. Skill contributions range from
construction, carpentry, gardening, strong back, foreign
language, welding, massage and other therapies, engineering, the arts,
sciences, barber/coiffing, a sense of humor, to communications. Etc! The
underlying concept of the farm involves the use of locally available and
recycled materials and pragmatic methods for low-cost and organic solutions in
building, clean water harvesting, effective waste management, and farm
experiments in food security and natural medicine for poverty alleviation and
long term self-sustainability.
Work alongside local workers
whose wages are paid by your reduced bunk rate, improve your Spanish, enjoy the
trails, caves, waterfalls, old growth forest, stunning views, cool little
cowboy town, moto-tours, & organic gardens. Email, market
and pubs close. Electricity is imminent. Camp out if you are packing a tent. Enchanting forest cabin
too. See Lodging for more detail regarding cost. Photos shown here offer an idea of the
work undertaken.
UK Andrew jazzes up the rustic kitchen with shipboard building skills.
Now THIS is a lumber yard! NY Alex assists Felipe in the forest with the fallen Zapotillo, ~400yrs old.
NH Julia machetes bark off retired coffee trees for use in artesanry, such as veranda work, below.
Nearly finished veranda, made of of coffee and zapotillo woods. Handcrafted, manual tools, collective effort. Beautiful, non?
Manual drill bores holes to insert hand-finished coffee wood grill.
Non-Nicas working, chatting, designing with Nicas. Coffee sticks fitted using machetes, penknives, home-made "hammer," lower center.
Work alongside locals, make new friends, learn Spanish and practical skills.
Baltimore Heather & Charles clean up lumber and sawdust from "Disaster Flats."
Sébaco run for rice hulls, for experimental floor.
Auss-some Julie assists by noodling up some website strategy.
Colleague Abigail Arauz doodles around in the stables. Volunteers' bunk costs pay locals' wages.
Permaculturist Stephen explains guild concept
Seed starts at Base for replanting in larger beds
Neighbor Byron assists with terrace gardens
Gift from local cowboy hangs on Long Haul; Used for horse harness practice.
Recycled tire bunks
Creative mixology
Earthbag & taquezal (cobb)
Ant Tire Bunk Test Pilot
Suz Horse Ticks Chiney Face
Suzanne repairs the front gate.
Wade makes Cuban mojiitos for the Winter Solstice.
Thora collects coffee, later toasts it on an open fire.
