Center for Spirited Medicine - Sustainable Medicine Projects

The Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists (ANMP)
The Spirited Medicine Alliance (SMA)
Inquiring Systems, Inc. (ISI)

Phase I: To assist with the development of organic farming of natural medicinal products in the Altiplano region of Bolivia and the Amazon rainforests of Peru

ISI/ANMP/SMA will seek funding to support agricultural development, to assist with local individual farmer’s organic and sustainable methods certification projects and to develop “best practices” agricultural outreach and sustainable farming methods to local growers.

Phase II: To develop criteria, methods and procedures for confirming that marketing claims for sustainable, fair trade and ethical products are in fact, as advertised.

ISI/ANMP/SMA will identify additional funding for setting up policies, methods and procedures that will ensure that natural medicinal products accurate reflect the claims that are being made regarding the benefits that may be derived for the consumers of the products as well as the benefits derived for the producers, the ecosystems from which the products are obtained including the communities related to the production and manufacturing of the products.

ISI/ANMP/SMA will assist local farmers in achieving financial sustainability as well as ensuring that consistent supplies of affordable products are available for the market. ISI/ANMP/SMA will work with existing organizations that are engaged in these efforts and ensure that there is no duplication of services. Some of the methods that may prove to be worthwhile, compatible with the local situation and with the community include: (1) combined production and/or marketing cooperative, (2) banking and/or credit cooperatives, (3) subsidies to companies for maintaining regular purchases of products for marketing stability and (4) such other activities that will provide credit and financial support for farmers, manufacturers and marketing entities that help to ensure compliance with organic and sustainability standards.

Phase III: To ensure that traditional knowledge is retained and available for future generations and for the appropriate development of natural medicines for market.

ISI/ANMP/SMA will improve and sustain the retention of traditional knowledge in the community and with the people who live there. Including such activities as the creation and development of a database for archiving and protecting this information and for making it accessible to companies and organizations that could benefit thereby. In this way, the database of traditional knowledge will be held akin to trade secrets and licensable to outside companies for product development and thereby create a sustainable source of income and repayment back to the Ayamara people and to Shaman Rufino Paxsi; as well as to Shaman don Antonio Montero Pisco and the people of the rainforests of the Amazon. Other socioeconomic benefits will also result from this effort.

Phase IV: To ensure that the Ayamara culture and Amazon rainforest cultures are retained, maintained and sustained by creating a means to ensure continuation of their traditions.

ISI/ANMP/SMA will develop some form of educational operation such as an “Old Ways University- Alternative University” dedicated to teaching the traditional ways of the Ayamara and the shamanic traditions of the Amazon region of Peru. As part of the goal to ensure that socioeconomic benefits result from the production of these sustainable products and as part of the ethical intent to ensure that these benefits are shared with the community at large, ISI/ANMP/SMA will, work cooperatively with the community, the local companies and other appropriate organizations and individuals to develop a proposal for the creation on an alternative university, as first envisioned by Rufino Paxsi of the Ayamara people. This “Old Ways Alternative University” will also include the preservation of the shamanic traditions of the Amazon rainforests of Peru, whose knowledge is held by shaman don Antonio Montero Pisco.

We also intend to work closely with local, regional, national and international organizations to ensure that all efforts and the funding sought to implement these efforts will be compatible with current and planned activities. We will work closely and cooperatively with groups such as Prodem, United Nations organizations, International Foundations, Corporations and with NGO’s such as ASNAPP, to facilitate and assist small farmer groups to access support structures, establishing viable crop production and entering into the market place though the use of strategic alliances with in-country governmental and non-governmental organizations, research and academic institutions and natural plant product companies. Significant funding and expert technical advice will be sought though these partnerships and the participation of academic institutions thereby providing credibility to the trials and to the research results generated from our projects. These partnership efforts are crucial in the long-term sustainability of the projects.

Individual Support for this Project

The Ayamara people in Bolivia and the shamans of the Amazon rainforests of Peru are not able to underwrite any of the development costs associated with the farming and marketing of certified organic natural medicine products nor, once they have established production and obtained organic certification, to maintain a sustainable production without outside initial financial assistance and support. ISI/ANMP/SMA is requesting your individual support to assist us with the implementation of these goals and objectives.

Your tax-deductible contribution is an investment that will help many indigenous people in these regions of Bolivia and Peru produce natural medicine products in a sustainable ecosystems manner including farming using certified organic methods, receiving fair trade returns for their products, enhancing the quality of life and the “right livelihood” approach for the communities in which they live.

Now! Amazon Conservancy Project -- 4.5 million-acre National Preserve

This proposed 4.5million acre Yarapa National Reserve would be the first effort ever in the Peruvian Amazon for the joint collaboration of:

Indigenous villagers
Peruvian government
North Americans

The Yarapa River, a tributary of the Amazon river, is situated about a hundred miles south of the town of Iquitos in northern Peru. The proposed Yarapa National Reserve would be the approximately 4.5million acres spanning from the headwaters to the mouth of the Yarapa River.

One year ago, six villages along the Yarapa River got together to sign a landmark conservancy contract amongst themselves that protected 1million acres from lumber concessions, fishing poaching, and slash-and-burn along the river's edge. But the power of the outlaw poachers and the lumber barons is overwhelming. The villagers have since realized they cannot protect their land and their way of life without the protection of the government. And the government cannot protect them and conserve the area without help from us to set up the larger proposed Yarapa National Reserve.

To do this we need to raise $500,000 total in the following steps:

Initial $20,000 to write business plan and grant proposals
Plus $60,000 to Peruvian Government and National Park System
Final $500,000 to establish the Yarapa National Reserve

Your generous donations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Connie Grauds, Project Director

Amazon Trip... visit this Amazon Yarapa region

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation
To These Global Nonprofit Efforts

Please complete the form below.

If you are writing a check or money order, kindly make it out to “The Spirited Medicine Alliance/ISI”.

Thank you for your generous reciprocity! Your donation is tax deductible.

Name/Address:
Name*
Street*

City/State/Zip*
Phone*
Fax
Email*
Occupation
(* indicates required field)
Credit card:
Card Type
Cardholder Name
Expiration Date
Card Number
Total

The Spirited Medicine Alliance
The Spirited Medicine Alliance is working with Inquiring Systems, Inc. (ISI) as its fiscal sponsor. Founded in 1978, ISI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that has provided services to 3,250 nonprofit and NGO organizations.

Volunteer

If you would like to volunteer in any of these nonprofit efforts, or for events and office work, kindly fill out this form. We appreciate your willingness to get involved!


Email:
Name:
Street 1:
Street 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Country:
Phone:
Areas of Expertise/ Education/ Training: