Tete's Vision

Today we travelled around the city with Tete, an awesome MESA alumni who has started an organization called Cultiva Lima.  Her dream is to transform Lima once again into a beautiful city and to recultivate a sense of ecological balance in the city now characterized by constant construction and cement.  We first visited the Cultural Center of Spain, where Tete and a group of volunteers had planted a small inspiration garden for the community.  The space is not large enough for broad consumption or production, but rather to provide a common space for interaction and learning.  The center also has community film screenings and other activities to unite people across the area.  We also met with a woman who has started a Brazil Nut company called Shiwi and who also works for a protected lands organization.  She shared some of her delicious "granola" with dried mango, chocolate, sacha inchi, and castana.  Next we visited a girl's reformatory that just four years ago was the target of a government initiative to install a garden.  Lots of funding and effort later, the plot is overgrown and void of attention.  Like many projects in Latin America, the group failed to integrate with the school to develop a plan that would actually sustain.  So Tete has been taking slow steps to reclaim the land and work with the community towards an innovative vision for the garden.  Initially, the administration was wary of the girl's involvement with the garden, as many have behavioral problems or past instances of aggression.  Yet, the test model of fruit crates filled with different herbs and vegetables that Tete and a group of volunteers worked on is testimony to the attention the girls have given their projects.  When we return from our homestays in August, we will join with Cultiva Lima and an outside company to clear the land and actually build the garden!  Finally, we stopped at an organic cafe for delicious purple corn and cilantro quinoa tamales, aji, avocado, sprouts, and warm maca nut cocoa shakes.  One more full day in Lima and then off to Lamud for a month! :/ :)

Theater area

Primer huerto urbano del centro de Lima

Wall art