It took many years to land on land. We now live here, breathe here, grow here, give here. From our mountain home, East, West, South and North live sustainably and simply together, coordinating projects across a spectrum of interests. Humans, animals, plants and the earth elements live in equal and shared status in a quiet part of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.
Welcome to Maia Earth Village, a 12-year old project that looks at whole systems thinking approaches that open pathways to sustainable living.
After the recent crises that severely affected lives on our island, we launched our Heart of Soil program, helpful actions and visions that embody the many things Maia believes in, particularly focused on how to bring methods of aid in times of natural disasters and problems involving health, nutrition, poverty.
After the recent crises that severely affected lives on our island, we launched our Heart of Soil program, helpful actions and visions that embody the many things Maia believes in, particularly focused on how to bring methods of aid in times of natural disasters and problems involving health, nutrition, poverty.
Timeline
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2020
In 2020, the Philippines was one of the first countries to go into (and one of the last to exit) a comprehensive Covid-19 lockdown. At that time, we started Heart of Soil, an aid exchange program that provided food security for at least 10 puroks in the second largest Barangay in the Philippines. Maia hosted consultations with local government leaders on how food aid would be traded with bio and non-biodegradable wastes that were then converted into compost and construction material that benefitted the local communities, bringing sustainable help to hundreds of families..
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2021
The pandemic closed schooling systems in the Philippines, where classes were not allowed until late 2022. The children from our local village asked us to open our gates and use our spaces to learn. Since October 2020, our Heart of Soil program has been conducting earth classes and organizing activities with the kids, where they do art, music, gardening as well as learn to read, write and get help in prepararing for their real subjects in school. Many of our spaces were converted into classrooms, gardens, playgrounds and workshops.
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2022
In December 2021, typhoon Odette ravaged the Philippines, exiting the country through our region, devastating homes and livelihood source such as farms and boat. Through this crisis, more people found interest in Earth Village lifestyles, when food production and housebuilding must be rethought to withstand future storms. The crisis brought about opportunities for us to create sustainable and clear exchanges with the local villages of Palawan. The crisis taught us to build not just strong structures but also strong relationships at a time of transformation.
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From out of crisis, change happens. We have worked day and night throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and through the typhoon Odette aftermath, to observe how old systems give way to new ones.
Our Maia Earth Village continues to work with our surrounding villages through future steps with those who wish to journey with us. Our homes are rebuilt, our gardens regrown, our community is refreshed. Deep Gratitude to all those who have been part of the many changes happening in this part of the world.
Our Maia Earth Village continues to work with our surrounding villages through future steps with those who wish to journey with us. Our homes are rebuilt, our gardens regrown, our community is refreshed. Deep Gratitude to all those who have been part of the many changes happening in this part of the world.
