Our Work
DISCOVER HOW EVERY
CEREMONY GIVES BACK
SUPPORTING FARMERS, COMMUNITIES & OUR PLANET
I have really struggled with the conundrum of 'at what point does facilitating Cacao Ceremonies begin to contribute to the commercialisation of this heart centred medicine?
As it was taught to me, Cacao will come out of the jungle when harmony needs to be restored on our planet. It is no surprise that in these unsettling times of climate change, social and political upheaval, spiritual and embodied disconnect, that Cacao is being called to weave her magic.
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How do we cultivate a sacred relationship with this healing plant medicine in a way that will not perpetuate a cycle of overconsumption and unsustainability?
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It has taken a while for me to find solutions that align with my values, and I am grateful to have established two key initiatives that enable me to give back to the farmers, communities and our great Mother earth with every cup I pour.
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01
FOR EVERY CEREMONY FACILITATED
ONE CACAO TREE IS PLANTED
With the help of a project called Treedom, for every cacao ceremony I facilitate, I purchase one Cacao tree which is planted in Guatemala.
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Beyond just planting a tree, our ceremonies donate to:
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Project start-up
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Construction of the nursery and production of seedlings
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Distribution of plants to farmers
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Positioning of the plant
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Maintenance of the plant until it provides an income to the farmer
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Training of farmers on the best agroforestry practices, also with the support of local universities and research institutions
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Replacing the failed plants during the first years in which the mortality rate is higher
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Each tree we donate contributes to 3x more cacao than we consume!
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02
ETHICALLY SOURCED
RESCUE CACAO
It was such a blessing when Corin & Sally founded Seleno Health and introduced an ethically sourced supply of cacao to New Zealand. Before then, there were few suppliers outside of the US - 1 bag of cacao used to cost me over $300!!
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The two have founded a family business working directly with farms in Peru. Their rescue cacao supports three key values which I stand by:
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1. Rescuing ancient traditions of cacao and farming practices
Their cacao is produced farm to table, cultivated surrounded by native jungle the way it has been done for thousands of years. Hand-picked, blessed in ceremony with reverence and supported with ancestral knowledge, education and ancient tools for you to better connect.
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2. Rescuing farmers and families from the illegal drug trade
After years of violence from terrorists and drug traffickers in the cacao growing region of Peru due to the cocaine industry, these farmers now have an opportunity to grow artisanal cacao instead of being lured into the illegal drug trade for money. Seleno Health's farmer also gets substantially higher profits by being able to sell their cacao direct without brokers or intermediaries taking their cuts.
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3. Rescuing the amazon and environment from deforestation
Cacao from Seleno Health is agroforestry ’shade-grown’ under the shadow of many native fruits, with an organic canopy protecting crops like banana and papaya. Cacao naturally loves to grow under a forest canopy, so there is less stress on the tree, it promotes biodiversity, improves soil fertility and sequesters 30% more carbon than non-shade grown cacao. It also saves the Amazon from deforestation.
NOW YOU CAN SIP KNOW THIS HEALING MEDICINE IS RESTORING INNER HEALTH, ANCIENT WISDOM, ETHICAL AGROFORESTRY & A REGENERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GREAT MOTHER EARTH