Our Vision
Wamua Wanile is an ambitious project to build a sustainable ecovillage in the jungle near Livingston, Guatemala.
Pronounced WAH-muah WAH-nee-le, Wamua Wanile means "our community, ours it is" in our native Caribe language. We are a network of locals and international activists building a sustainable ecovillage in the jungle near Livingston, Guatemala.
Our mission is to create a communal paradise. We are building a community where people are living in sync with their environment, instead of against it. We are building a community where wealth is shared, instead of given to only a few. And we are building a community that is full of opportunities, culture, and warmth -- a place where people in unison can live freely, creatively, prosperously, and with purpose.
Pronounced WAH-muah WAH-nee-le, Wamua Wanile means "our community, ours it is" in our native Caribe language. We are a network of locals and international activists building a sustainable ecovillage in the jungle near Livingston, Guatemala.
Our mission is to create a communal paradise. We are building a community where people are living in sync with their environment, instead of against it. We are building a community where wealth is shared, instead of given to only a few. And we are building a community that is full of opportunities, culture, and warmth -- a place where people in unison can live freely, creatively, prosperously, and with purpose.
A City´s Problems
Wamua Wanile is located in the jungle next to Livingston, Guatemala -- a port city once an infamous slave trading base. We are a people full of culture and full of potential, but we face problems. We are treating our environment poorly and we are struggling to get by:
- Livingston is an environmental wasteland.Trees are sparse. Gasoline pollution from our boats pours into the ocean air. Litter fills our streets and our beaches. We are polluting a place that should be beautiful.
- Living money is scarce. It is hard to find a job. Hustling has abounded. The jobs that do exist are not fulfilling and often contribute more to our unsustainable ways of life. Education is poor. Living conditions are bad. Something needs to be done.
- Many of our young people, instead of looking for ways to improve our community, feel our situation is hopeless. They are leaving us behind and immigrating to other countries.
Our Solution
A few years ago, Wamua Wanile was just an idea. Today, Wamua Wanile is quickly becoming a reality. Headed by the visionary Livingston local, Marcos Mena Lucas, and others we are rapidly making progress. Through a public-private partnership, we have acquired over 30 acres of beautiful jungle beach-shore land. We are building awareness and support in Livingston. We are acquiring volunteers from all over the world.
Our ecovillage is focused on sustainability in every way. Our houses are being built from all-natural materials found in our jungle. We are dealing with traditional environmental problems in creative ways, such as engineering a natural litter collecting system for our beach. We are ensuring that the people who live in Wamua Wanile will have a direct and purposeful way to contribute to our community -- whether that is by planting crops, maintaining our structures, providing education, etc. Wamua Wanile will be an example to the world of what a dynamic and sustainable community can look like. Wamua Wanile will be a paradise.
Our ecovillage is focused on sustainability in every way. Our houses are being built from all-natural materials found in our jungle. We are dealing with traditional environmental problems in creative ways, such as engineering a natural litter collecting system for our beach. We are ensuring that the people who live in Wamua Wanile will have a direct and purposeful way to contribute to our community -- whether that is by planting crops, maintaining our structures, providing education, etc. Wamua Wanile will be an example to the world of what a dynamic and sustainable community can look like. Wamua Wanile will be a paradise.
Your Support
We invite you to become part of our cause. We greatly appreciate all levels of support. Every dollar, every volunteer hour, every piece of help gets us closer to where we want to be. If you are interested, here are three big ways you can help:
- Donate a few dollars. We are a poor country here and every dollar goes a long way. It costs us only $10 USD a day to hire a local construction worker and feed him some meals. It costs us only $250 USD to build a whole ecohouse and give it to a deserving family. Every dollar counts, and if you can afford it, we would really appreciate even the smallest financial support.
- Volunteer with us. Spend a few weeks of time with us. Have a life-changing experience and become an integral part of building our community. Locals passionately believe in our cause, but are often times too busy trying to make a living to have time to help. International helpers are a key part of our growing strategy, and as a volunteer you can truly make a tremendous difference.
- Share our message. If you cannot make a financial or time commitment, you can still help! Please spread the word. Tell a friend. Create a Facebook post. Tweet our link. Whatever it is, your help is not small. Who knows? You might connect us to someone great.