1% For The Planet
To serve our Mother Earth and do a little good, Lucuma Designs became part of the 1% for the Planet network. This is our way to support environmental projects close to our hearts.
As a contributing member, we commit every year to donate a minimum of 1% of all of our sales to organizations that are working to restore eco-systems, support indigenous communities and protect natural habitats.
Art Class in Cochas
To encourage and build new talent to support our gourd artists, Lucuma Designs, organized and sponsored an introductory art class in Cochas, Peru, in 2019. Every Saturday for thirteen weeks, our artist partners and others in the community came to learn basic drawing and painting techniques from an art teacher. It is our goal to offer this again in 2022.
After School Program in Cochas
In 2007, we were pleased and awed to learn about an ambitious project our gourd partners in Cochas had started on their own. Thanks to their success selling gourds through Lucuma Designs and other fair trade channels, these gourd artists decided to give back to their community by creating and funding an after school program to serve children from the poorest families in their region. Organized through their church, they started providing lunches and afternoon classes to 200 children. Today, the program serves over 700 kids and adults.
At Lucuma Designs, we love this example of “love thy neighbor” and fair trade in action and we contribute to this program with yearly donations.
2020 contributions
Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine - https://PCRM.org
Doing Good: We love how doctors at PCRM empower people to make healthy choices that can help prevent and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. During these critical times, encouraging eating habits that can strengthen our immune system is a mighty cause worth supporting.
2019 contributions
ECOAN - Ecosistemas Andinos - Peru - https://www.ecoanperu.org/
Doing Good: We love they are working to restore Andean ecosystems in the Cusco region of Peru. For that, they partner with local communities planting native trees to restore Andean forests. They also educate people so they in turn can protect the habitat and endangered species while building opportunities for ecotourism in the region benefiting the communities and keepers of the land. We also like that they are collaborating in few projects in Peru with the American Bird Conservancy.
Navdanya - https://www.navdanya.org/site/
Doing Good: They are truly our Earth Heros educating us all on how to truly care for our Mother Earth and all its inhabitants. We love their women centric and farmer led mission of protecting biological and cultural diversity while promoting agroecology and regenerative organic agriculture. They promote life itself by encouraging seed saving and sharing among more than 150 seed bank communities across 22 states in India.
Pollinator Partnership - https://www.pollinator.org
Doing Good: They are champions researching, promoting and educating the public on the importance of supporting healthy pollinators and the environments where they can thrive. They also produce quality educational materials so we can spread the word.
Related/sponsoring products: pollinator gifts
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - https://seashepherd.org/
Doing Good: Known mostly for protecting the whales, the Sea Shepherd international teams work tirelessly across the globe to preserve the wildlife and health of our oceans. They courageously and actively protect precious marine life by raising alarms about the destructive effect of illegal fishing. We are particularly fond of their conservation projects in Peru and Costa Rica. - Learn more on the blog
Seed Saver’s Exchange - https://www.seedsavers.org
Doing Good: We love their mission of seed sovereignty as a way to promote biodiversity to benefit us all. They also work to promote the benefits of organic agriculture and healthy pollinators, as well as educate gardeners on simple, yet sustainable, gardening methods. - Learn more on the blog
Related/sponsoring products: pollinator gifts
Trees Water People - https://www.treeswaterpeople.org
Doing Good: They work in Central America planting trees, installing fuel efficient and safe cooking stoves and empowering communities. Now, we like them even more as they have started a project with Indigenous communities in the US, helping to instal eco-friendly housing and solar panels. - Learn more on the blog
2018 contributions
American Bird Conservancy - https://abcbirds.org
Doing Good: This organization provides needed advocacy and protection for bird species and habitats in the Americas. - Learn more on the blog
Related/sponsoring products: owls, birds confetti
Plastic Oceans - https://plasticoceans.org/
Doing Good: We applaud their efforts to raise awareness about plastic pollution. They organize beach cleanups and encourage youth to get involved in finding solutions.
Rainforest Action Network - https://www.ran.org
Doing Good: This organization confronts industries & big businesses that seek to deforest the land and neglect human rights in rainforests worldwide.