After brainstorming and deciding what organization would be the best fit for the March Recipient for the donation this month, the Sayulita Life team decided to donate to our local Costa Verde International School (CVIS). The team at CVIS are working on creating a local green space where the Sayulita community will be able to watch this area of town transform from a trash zone to a sacred space to enjoy the warm outdoors.
Located at the end of the road by CVIS there is a vacant lot that had become a dumping ground for trash. After seeing the potential that it held, working with both the Delegada and the Mercado del Pueblo, CVIS organized a community clean up day for the lot. Students, teachers, parents, neighbors, and even the Delegada herself worked to fill up an entire GIRRSA garbage truck with trash. They now have permission from the Delegada and the surrounding neighbors to use this space to build a community green space.
The Secundaria students that are taking the elective Architecture class will work with architect Adrian Ramirez Seller from the PALMA Group architecture firm to design a low-impact and sustainable garden, learning and green space. After these students design what they feel would best fit this area, Adrian and PALMA will take the student designs to create the final design plan.
The money donated will be used for a variety of materials needed for completion of this project such as paint, labor and construction materials. The space will need seating, storage, grow beds, weed barrier fabric, garden tools, compost, dirt, seeds, plants, and a small shade structure. Throughout this project CVIS hopes to use as much volunteer labor and reclaimed materials as possible in order to make the donations and funds go as far as possible.
This space will be an outdoor classroom, a community and school garden, and a beautiful community greenspace for relaxing and enjoying nature. Children of Sayulita will be able to learn the science and techniques of growing food in this area and climate, and will reap the health and wellness benefits of harvesting and eating their fresh vegetable crop. The space will also be an example of something Sayulita could use more of -- a shared open community green space where children, families, locals and tourists can relax in the shade and enjoy nature apart from the bustle and noise of town.
The PALMA Group has generously offered to match Sayulita Life's donation, and CVIS will be fundraising for any additional funds that are necessary. PALMA Group will be donating their time and expertise to finalizing design plans and overseeing the garden build.
Stay tuned for news of volunteer days, to get this project built! And once it's up and running there will be plenty of opportunities to pitch in and be a part of the community team.
If you are unable to participate by volunteering and wish to make an impact on this wonderful community project, people can simply donate by clicking here.