Earth Spirit Rejuvenation: Supporting Projects in Indigenous Communities of the US and Bolivia

New Mountain Fund partner, Earth Spirit Rejuvenation, works in the US and Bolivia to provide solutions to cultural, environmental, and economic challenges. Even though this new nonprofit has been in business less than six months, projects are already underway in Bolivia.

Bolivia: Artisan Cooperative and Water System Development

Bolivia is a country of diversity. It houses parts of the Amazon Rain Forest and the Andes Mountains as well as dozens of indigenous cultures. Most of the country’s people live on the high plain, the Altiplano, at 14,000 feet above sea level, surviving on little more than $2 per day per household.

ESR’s purpose in Bolivia is to facilitate:
• the development of artisan cooperatives that can produce desirable products for and find markets in Western countries;
• the exchange of quality artisan goods to the US and of much-needed capital to poor Bolivian families and communities;
• access to the technical expertise of Earth Spirit to help comm. unities develop priorities and specific plans to meet their water and sanitation needs;
• the connection of Bolivian communities with Bolivian nonprofits and businesses that will carry out the needed projects.

Andean Exchange (AEx) is the name they have given the alpaca marketplace for Earth Spirit Rejuvenation. Founding Director Jennifer Hamblen, a hydrologist and yoga instructor, is receiving shipments from three cooperatives which have a total of 110 artisans. She and her AEx partner Karla Tibbetts are busily canvassing the country to find consumers who appreciate intricately beautiful artisan clothing and want to help support indigenous communities. They recently sold the clothing at the Denver Food and Gift Show, where their clothing was a hit! Proceeds from this season’s sales will go to provide training and augment the resources and incomes of the artisan cooperatives as well as to specific community development projects.

This year, Karla and Jennifer will fund public showers in a small rural community, San Jose de Catagaita, which is hours by bus on dirt roads from the closest public shower. After the rainy season ends in June, the shower blocks will be installed, along with a rainwater catchment system on the roof of the school and two dry composting toilets, all funded by Earth Spirit Rejuvenation and TERRA Resource Development, Inc. (www.terradevelopment.org).

Donations go to support specific projects which are overseen and carried about by ESR in the US, and in conjunction with small, local nonprofits in Bolivia. Check out www.earthspiritrejuvenation.org to see how you can help through purchasing clothing, volunteering, and donating funds to specific projects described on their website.

Please contact Jennifer@earthspiritrejuvenation.org for more information.