Peru
Peru Sustainable Retreat & Intentional Community Project - Summary
This document summarizes the extensive conversation and planning for a self-sustaining, off-grid retreat center and intentional community in Peru, based on sustainability, personal growth, community living, and Human Design principles.
I. Project Vision & Goals:
- Core Idea: Creating a self-sustaining, off-grid retreat center and intentional community in Peru. The project is driven by a social and environmental impact mission, aiming to be a model for a more harmonious way of life.
- Focus: Sustainability, personal growth (using Human Design), community living, and creating a positive social and environmental impact.
- Location: Initially focused on the Santa Eulalia Valley, then shifted to the Oxapampa/Villa Rica region (cloud forest), briefly considered Junín, and is now focusing on areas north of Villa Rica.
- Land Requirements: Approximately 20 hectares, with suitable terrain for earth-sheltered construction, access to water (ideally a stream), and some flat areas for gardening.
- Self-Sufficiency: A key goal is a high degree of self-sufficiency in food, energy, and water.
- Long-Term Residency: Intention to create a community for long-term residents (6+ months), posing visa challenges.
- Non-Profit/Social Impact: The project is driven by a social and environmental mission, not profit maximization.
II. Location Exploration:
- Santa Eulalia Valley (Initially):
- Pros: Closer to Lima, higher altitude (fewer insects), drier climate.
- Cons: Less lush vegetation, potentially limited water, steeper terrain.
- Junín Plateau (Briefly Considered):
- Pros: Vast open spaces, spiritual significance.
- Cons: Very high altitude, extreme climate, limited vegetation, challenging for agriculture.
- Oxapampa/Villa Rica (Current Focus):
- Pros: Lush cloud forest environment, abundant water, suitable altitude for diverse crops.
- Cons: More insects and wildlife, potentially challenging terrain, further from Lima.
- Specific Areas: Three potential plot locations identified north of Villa Rica, prioritizing pastureland or less intensive coffee cultivation, access to streams, and moderate slopes.
III. Practical Considerations:
- Land Acquisition:
- Challenges: High coffee prices have increased land values. Competition for land. Difficulty finding online listings.
- Strategies: Focus on land not in intensive coffee production (pasture, secondary forest), consider smaller farms or partnerships, prioritize local contacts.
- Budget: Estimated $100,000 - $240,000 for 20 hectares, depending on location and features.
- Construction:
- Earth-sheltered homes are a priority, requiring careful site selection (soil stability, slope orientation) and specialized construction techniques. Considering rammed earth and/or other sustainable building materials as alternatives or in combination.
- Infrastructure needs: Access road, water system, electricity (likely off-grid), wastewater system, communication infrastructure (internet access).
- Water Feature:
- Ideally, a stream that can be dammed to create a pond. Requires planning, engineering, and permitting.
- Temporary housing
- Exploring options while permanent housing is built, including simple structures like tambos, yurts, or pre-fabricated cabins.
- Considering leasing land for temporary use, possibly.
- Cost of Living (Pre-Self-Sufficiency):
- Estimated $400-$800/month per person for a frugal lifestyle.
- Total Project Budget:
- Realistically estimated at around $2 million USD, including land, construction, infrastructure, and operating expenses.
IV. Funding & Legal:
- Funding Challenges: Large funding gap between current capital ($1,000) and project cost.
- Funding Strategies:
- Phased approach: Seeking funding in stages (land, infrastructure, construction).
- Targeted investors: Impact investors, philanthropists, foundations aligned with the mission.
- Potential crowdfunding or pre-selling retreat stays.
- Exploring a sponsor for the $1,000/month income required for the Rentista visa.
- Grants: Researching potential grants from organizations focused on sustainability, permaculture, and community development in Peru/Latin America.
- Visa Requirements:
- Initial entry to Peru is visa-free for New Zealand citizens (up to 183 days).
- Long-term residency requires a visa (Rentista visa is likely, but income requirement is a challenge).
- Allowing visitors/residents 6+ months poses visa challenges. Requires legal consultation.
- Legal Structure:
- Considering non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid models.
- Need for a Peruvian immigration lawyer is critical.
- The choice of legal structure will have significant implications for tax liability, funding options, and operational flexibility. Requires careful consideration and legal advice.
V. “Bugs and Scary Creatures”:
- Cloud Forest (Oxapampa/Villa Rica): Higher diversity of insects (mosquitoes, sandflies, etc.) and wildlife (spiders, snakes). Requires precautions (mosquito nets, insect repellent, awareness of surroundings) and a degree of adaptation.
- Higher Andes (Santa Eulalia): Generally fewer insects and lower risk of snake encounters, but it is important to remember scorpions and spiders may still be present.
VI. Current Focus (Pre-Contact Phase):
- Deepening Research:
- Soil analysis (using remote sensing data).
- Dam permitting regulations in Peru.
- Refining understanding of the coffee market’s impact on land prices.
- Permaculture Design: Preliminary research into permaculture principles and their application to the chosen site, including water harvesting, food forest design, and animal integration.
- Community Building: Researching best practices for establishing and maintaining a thriving intentional community, including conflict resolution, decision-making processes, and shared governance.
- Developing a “Hypothetical Scenario”: Creating a detailed plan for the project, including location, land use, water feature, financial projections, and social/environmental impact.
- Preparing for Future Contact: Refining the project vision, developing a “one-minute pitch,” and creating a detailed proposal.
VII. Key Decisions Made:
- Shifted Focus to Oxapampa/Villa Rica Region: Prioritizing the cloud forest environment.
- Prioritized Land Not in Intensive Coffee Production: To mitigate high land prices.
- Emphasized Social Impact: Framing the project as a social experiment and model for sustainable living.
- Adopted a Phased Funding Approach.
- Prioritized Legal Counsel: Recognizing the crucial role of a Peruvian immigration lawyer.
- Accepted a Frugal Lifestyle: Minimizing living expenses initially.
- Prioritized Water Availability: Made water availability (ideally a stream suitable for damming) a primary criterion for site selection.
- Temporary housing and land: a good idea.
VIII. Communication Plan (Preliminary):
- Develop a communication plan to guide interactions with potential stakeholders:
- Website/online presence (eventually).
- Informational materials (brochure, presentation).
- Social media strategy (longer-term).
Next Steps: Continue pre-contact research, refine the project vision, and prepare for outreach to potential funders and local contacts.