Born in Argentina, I have always had a magical relationship with Nature. My formation and experience includes a varied background from scout leader to computer systems analyst/designer and travel agent, special needs psycho-pedagogist and ICT coordinator, and career development counsellor, adult educator, blogger, freelance article writer and eLearning specialist. While varied, my career followed an invisible thread: my interest for understanding how the world works, a strong sense of social and environmental justice, a passion to help people and an almost stubborn ability to ask questions and dig beyond the obvious.
My journey towards Permaculture started many years ago, but I wasn’t aware that I was travelling towards it until 2011. In 2009, I joined the Canadian Red Cross as a volunteer working with refugees and have since become part of their Disaster Management trainers. I have trained cohorts of new volunteers and offer free Emergency Preparedness and First Aid courses to vulnerable communities and groups of neighbours in the community. Since 2012, I also work as volunteer on call for the Emergency Social Services department at City of Surrey.
In 2012, I joined the Transition towns’ initiative in Surrey, BC and was foundational in invigorating the existent group. I have since became one of its pillars, and together we have organized awareness movie-nights around topics such as food sovereignty and Climate Change, among others, the start-up of community gardens, EP workshops, a newsletter and a website and other projects. In May 2013, I became part of the Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition board and have worked in the strategic planning to develop more community gardens and kitchens, promote food sovereignty and security education, support urban and local farmers and help local people transition to a more sustainable and self-sufficient community.
I attended a PDC course at UBC-Farm/Food and Land Systems lead by James Richardson, a great Permaculture teacher, researcher and practitioner and now I am continuing my path in Permaculture with Delvin Solkinson from the Sunshine Coast, a true inspiration, friend and Permaculture leader. In April 2014, I completed my Permaculture Teachers Training with Jude Hobbs at OUR Ecovillage, Shawnigan Lake (BC, Canada). Also in 2014 I started a citation in sustainable horticulture at a local university and registered as Permaculture Practitioner in Training (PPiT) at the PI.
I have been growing a percentage of the food my family consumes for many years and had supported friends and family members in their own adventure to grow vegetables and fruits. In 2013, I also became the coordinator for a local Community Garden. I am currently working on Community Food Mapping in Surrey (BC) communities and supporting grassroots groups with workshops on composting, companion planting, soil and pest management, growing food in small spaces and food preservation.
My areas of expertise and specialization include: community work, curriculum development and workshop facilitation, design for disasters and disaster management and food sovereignty.