Where?
The Punta Mona Center is located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, 8 kilometers from the border of Panama. It was established in 1997 with the idea to show students a different way of living. The center educates students about ancestral living, permaculture principles, organic farming, community building and modern renewable technologies. Hundreds of students of all ages have graduated from the Permaculture Design Course taught at the center. Every year the center hosts student groups from Costa Rica, Canada and the United States.
Un/learning Reflections and Patterns
As I reflect back into why I came to Punta Mona, I realize that there is some important factors on why I made this transition move. Firstly, I was struggling to come out of a relationship that lasted 2 years. Secondly I was struggling in my job at the community garden with political issues and false promises. Thirdly, I did not feel that confident about my knowledge of agriculture and permaculture designs.
Interestingly for me the same I decided to leave the job at the community garden my friend Stephen posted on Facebook that he was looking for a Farm Manager. I quickly applied and two weeks later I was in Punta Mona. Through my time in Punta Mona I finished healing from my last relationship. I learned more about permaculture design and agriculture. Furthermore being in Punta Mona empowered me to undertake my education at Gaia University. I feel more confident as Eco-social Designer to build up resilient communities in our broken society.
Why?
I was hired as a Farm Manager in for the Punta Mona Center for Education and Sustainable Living in April 2013. During this time I have experienced and learned a whole array of things. I know and feel that this glimpse in my life spent in this piece of paradise has shaped me for the rest of my life. Therefore,I have decided that for my personal un/learning experience it is worthwhile to de-construct and construct my work experience in Punta Mona.
My job description entails plant propagation, educational farm tours, greenhouse management, construction, volunteer training, planting, appropriate technologies maintenance, planting, harvesting, pruning and work directly with our local workers. During my year I have performed this tasks and many more including boat captain, customer service, cooking, office work and marketing.