Connecting to myself

I had the privilege of having an incredible volunteer experience in October 2018. I will be eternally grateful to Margret for allowing me to stay 30 days in this little paradise called Jiwa Damai. In this experience, I had the chance to connect even more deeply with nature and myself, in a very transformative way.

The days were calm, quiet, always surrounded by birds and silence. With yoga practice in the morning, afternoon meditation and plenty of time to read or walk in the garden, enjoy the fruits and plants and play with the animals.

The food was magical, curative and very delicious. I was looking forward to it every day by the time of meal! The kitchen girls and the others staffs made me feel at home and allowed me to experience some of the local culture through our conversations and mutual help.

In addition to the immeasurable exchange I had with my volunteers friends, I was able to improve my English, discover new cultures, exchange experience of life and advice from people with realities so different from mine.

I can say that it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Thank you Margret and the whole team Jiwa Damai. I bring you in my heart.

With love ... Paula

Goodbye picnic for Kerstin

Kerstin was our volunteer at Jiwa Damai. When she left, she prepared a picnic for the local team. Here is her message.

‘Thank you for being and giving me a family. I realized how much I miss mine after 9 months apart and it was so nice to get lots of new brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and grandfathers here, at Jiwa Damai.

One picture from the good-bye cake picnic I invited them to. Komang is taking the picture. He is also just such a sweet person. So so shy but very hard working and a great talent for drawing.

The night duties made it possible to get to know each of them one on one. Really nice. And Laura is really like a sister to me.’

We are so grateful for all the volunteers and interns who stay at Jiwa Damai.

The origin of the Oyster Mushroom

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We are using White oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Both the Latin and common names refer to the shape of the fruiting body. The Latin pleurotus (sideways) refers to the sideways growth of the stem with respect to the cap, while the Latin ostreatus (and the English common name, oyster) refers to the shape of the cap which resembles the bivalve of the same name.  Many also believe that the name is fitting due to a flavor resemblance to oysters.

Alex, who is with us now for over 3 months with his project of growing mushrooms. They just came out beautiful. Thanks Alex!

EM made from scratch

Our permaculture garden is looking very rich and green at this time. We had more rains than normal and the veggies and salads and fruit are growing in abundance.

Our local team, Kadek, Gede, Fendy and our volunteer Cedric are carrying the rice straws to mulch the beds. Cedric had made some EM (effective micro-organism) from scratch and we are now looking at the difference between the beans with and without his brew. The first plants are without, the second with. We would say that the difference in height is quite visible. What do you think?

Permaculture Bali at Jiwa Damai

Permaculture Bali at Jiwa Damai

We kindly invite you to check our Jiwa Damai permaculture courses or internship programs in Bali in order to put your own ideas in practice!

Helping hands

... from our international friends. Our two wonderful volunteers, Laia from Spain Catalan, and Aitor form Equator are engaging in garden work, using the Balinese sickles to clean an area from Tapioka.

Tapioka is eaten as a vegetable, prepared with grated coconut meat.

Thank you for your contribution to Jiwa Damai!

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