Kalu Yala, Bad Press, And The Case For Sustainability

There are few locations in the world being created with such lofty goals as those of Kalu Yala, the sustainable community being developed in the forests of Panama by American Jimmy Stice and a team of interns from across the planet. The Huffington Post reports Stice is looking to develop a sustainable community where only 20 percent of the 7,000-acre site, which was formerly used as cattle grazing land in the 1950s, is used for the creation of buildings; instead, Stice and his team hope to ensure around 30 percent of the property is used for farming and the development of food.

Building a new vision for the future

The name of the community translates into English as "Sacred Settlement", and so far there have been very few Kalu Yala bad experiences to report, as interns and staff members write independently published reviews each semester. Kalu Yala is staffed by interns, students, young professionals, and experts in various aspects of the land, culture, and business who are working to create a new way of living which can be replicated around the world.

The staff at Kalu Yala have been working for years to fine tune their hands-on approach to learning, with the research institute already bringing success to the 80 or so interns who make their way to the jungle each semester. Students and young professionals are not only engaged in helping to design and construct the jungle headquarters of the community but also to develop the links to the local community and explore the culture of the region. Developing a new way of looking at the success of the community means developing new ways of living including the creation of open-air thatch cottages which help in limiting the use of air conditioning systems on the jungle-based site.

More than just a construction site

The Kalu Yala bad reviews would be piling up if the interns moving to the jungle for a semester were simply engaged in constructing the buildings for the site and little else. However, Jimmy Stice is looking for new ideas about how best to create a sustainable community which can survive because of its business endeavors as well as its impressive research institute; students attending the institute are given the opportunity to present their ideas on how Kalu Yala should move forward in the future as Stice believes the growth of the settlement will be aided by input from all those attending internships.

In Kalu Yala, bad academic experiences are limited with the community detailing the facts and figures behind the growth of the community including the fact over 97 percent of interns complete their full semester at the site. Making sure students are given the best possible experience has become a major part of the experience at Kalu Yala as the development of the site includes nature tours through the jungle and taking part in the farm to table produce program which has proven such a success.

Different cultures are always important

The need to for diversity and acceptance of different ways of living life is celebrated and explored at Kalu Yala, where students and young professionals are given the chance to interact with local people of all ages and professions in the nearby community of San Miguel. The chance to learn the techniques and business skills of local people is as important as giving back to the community through the English language classes taught by interns to local children in San Miguel.

There is much more to the Kalu Yala experience than simply exploring the local culture. As the number of interns from around the world grows the melting pot of ideas and ways of living also expands. Jimmy Stice is taking on all ideas from around the world and exploring those which will work best in Kalu Yala, including a historic approach to urban planning from the King Henry IV, who created a detailed plan for turning the French capital of Paris into a walking city.

As the development of Kalu Yala continues apace, the development of new areas of interest including a tourist venture and even more business opportunities will also grow. The community is already looking to partner in a farming venture with an American billionaire. The research institute will be more than simply a location for interns to visit as the growth of the community brings planners, researchers, and entrepreneurs together to build a positive future for all.