Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia
“Sweet As” Food and Water
First we must plant the water before the trees.
— Sebastião Salgado
Testimonials from our interns…
500 + students and interns
Top Host
Welcome to Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia, where our name reflects a profound connection to both the land and heritage. “Kaiwai,” rooted in Don Simon’s New Zealand lineage, carries deep meaning in the indigenous Maori language, symbolizing the essential elements of “food” and “water.” This guiding principle shapes our commitment to restoring and managing water resources through sustainable practices, with Syntropic Agroforestry as a complementary tool in our approach.
Since 2014, Certified Permaculture Designer Simon has transformed his land in the Bolivian countryside into a living example of regeneration. What was once barren soil has become a thriving oasis with eco-cabins, a pond, and innovative water management systems. Water is our core focus, and through projects such as watershed restoration and water-efficient designs, we’ve created resilient ecosystems that restore natural water cycles. Our gardens, ponds, and landscapes demonstrate how effective water management can transform the land and create lasting abundance.
Kaiwai Permaculture focuses on rehydrating landscapes and restoring micro watersheds. We achieve this through the strategic placement of ponds, swales, and terraces to capture and manage water efficiently, ensuring that water is available for both ecological restoration and agricultural productivity.
We draw inspiration from successful global projects that have shown how effective water management can solve the worldwide water crisis. Our work is a testament to the power of restoring watersheds, creating sustainable landscapes, and fostering biodiversity, all while addressing the urgent need for correct water management.
In addition to water management, we offer consultations and design services, including Syntropic Agroforestry, to help restore and regenerate your land. Whether you’re seeking to optimize water usage, create resilient ecosystems, or design regenerative landscapes, we provide tailored solutions that align with your unique needs.
Beyond our own land, we are proud members of a local syndicate, actively participating in community decisions, meetings, and Bolivian celebrations. We believe in fostering unity and a shared purpose, striving not just for self-sufficiency, but community-sufficiency.
Join us on this extraordinary journey toward a sustainable, water-wise, and regenerative future.
We offer a 7-Day Holistic Living Permaculture Course!
In our permaculture course, we aim to empower participants to cultivate a sustainable lifestyle by producing nourishing food, achieving energy self-sufficiency, and generating surplus fertilizers for potential sale or trade. By integrating these essential elements, we provide a holistic approach to sustainable living. Recognizing the interconnectedness of our bodies and minds with nature, we have incorporated techniques and strategies that promote self-care practices. With Simon's extensive 15-year experience in studying and actively practicing permaculture, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn hands-on from the successful projects on his land.
The Location
Mizque, Misk’i, which means "sweet" in Quechua, is a charming campesino town located just 3 hours away from the city of Cochabamba. Known for its fertile climate, Mizque has earned the reputation of "Todo da en Mizque," meaning that almost anything can thrive in its soil. From luscious grapes used for wine or guarapo, to papayas, prickly pear cactus, olive trees, and a variety of native medicinal plants, Mizque is a haven for agricultural abundance. The town is also rich in indigenous culture, with a vibrant sense of pride that is beautifully showcased through its colorful traditions."
The Accommodation
At Kaiwai Permaculture Bolivia, we offer two eco-cabin accommodations. The Marae can comfortably sleep up to a family of 5 (bunk beds are available). It sits in line with the molle trees and has the perfect view of the quiet Mizque sunsets. The Tower is our romantic accommodation perfect for a pair, featuring a deck overlooking the valley and the moon rise.
We prioritize sustainability and have two running toilets on the property, as well as two dry-composting toilet systems. These systems direct urine to swales and waste to fruit trees, creating a closed-loop nutrient cycle.
For our guests' comfort, we have implemented solar-heated water hose technology, ensuring hot water is available in our three on-site showers.
The Nourishment
At our farm, we are passionate about eating well! We source the freshest vegetarian meals and exotic fruits and vegetables directly from our gardens, neighbors, and extended community, ensuring a farm-to-table experience.
We take great pride in creating our own vinegars, sauces, breads, yogurts, spice blends, and much more from scratch in our farm kitchen. This allows us to deliver the purest ingredients to our visitors, emphasizing the importance of food as medicine.
In addition to our culinary offerings, we also craft our own tea blends, tinctures, and fusions using the organic abundance of medicinal plants grown in our gardens and consciously foraged from the surrounding nature."
Upcoming Permaculture Course
Immerse yourself in the world of permaculture and learn how to design sustainable systems that harmonize with nature wherever you live. Our course combines hands-on learning, practical theory, and healthy eating to provide a transformative experience. Join us to learn permaculture practices such as organic gardening, watershed restoration, soil regeneration, companion planting, animal integration, and much more.
January 2025
Review
“We learned some amazing ways of creating a food forest in our back yard, making our own chemical-free Bokashi compost, ways of making an instant garden at home, the importance of heirloom seeds, soil health, simple water management systems and SO MUCH more.
The produce was largely off the shade gardens on the farm and that meant each meal was fresh, organic and cooked with love.
Mizque is home to a warm & enthusiastic farming community & the stunning mountains and gorges around are dotted with Inca ruins and some breathtaking flora and fauna.
Some bonus learnings on the farm were learning to make a traditional paint with cactus, some authentic chimichurri, & black tea kombucha.
Mizque & the adjoining town of Cochabamba are a treasure-trove of people and places, and I am SURE to come back here.”
- Manjiri (India)
You can become a Patreon supporter and receive behind the scenes content and be the first to see new videos!
