Intergenerational Transmission of Knowledge

Sources of inspiration

From the first breath of morning air, perfumed with rosemary and sage in my grandmother's garden, to the remote Amazon villages of Peru, my life has been a tapestry woven with nature, community, and ancestral wisdom. My roots in Chillán, the Southern Cone of Chile, are deeply intertwined with these threads, guiding my path as I cultivate resilience and a greater sense of purpose. The stories I carry are not just memories but seeds now germinated into a passion for environmental education, cultural preservation, and uplifting others through community work and kindness.

Growing up in Chile, I was surrounded by the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of my elders. I lived in a house built of adobe, with a garden brimming with secrets and adventures. My childhood was a dance between the tangible: gladiolus, tomato plants, and corn stalks, and the intangible: the whispered lessons of my grandmother, Mamá Lucy. She was and still is our family's anchor, her hands always on the earth, tending to the plants that fed and healed us. With only a few years of formal education, her knowledge of herbal medicine and unwavering strength make her one of the greatest teachers I have ever known.

“You must greet the plants; they can hear you,” my grandmother would say.

She taught me that our connection to the earth is physical and spiritual.

This connection to the earth and the wisdom of those who came before me has been the backbone of my journey.

Every summer morning, my grandmother would lead us in the joyful ritual of making humitas, a corn-based dish that carried far more than just flavor; it embodied the knowledge and resilience passed down through generations. As we harvested basil and tomatoes from the garden, she would teach me about compassion and the deep connection between people and the land. Her hands, weathered from decades of nurturing both garden and community, tied each corn husk with care, showing me that responsibility extends beyond oneself. She taught me that true wisdom lies in serving others and preserving the knowledge that binds us to our roots. This intergenerational transmission of wisdom, from the plants we used to the humitas we shared with our neighbors, continues to shape my worldview.

My grandmother's lessons remained with me as I grew older, but it took miles and years away from home to fully grasp their significance. I left Chile at eighteen on a two-year full scholarship to the United World Colleges (UWC) in Tanzania, where I studied alongside students from over sixty nationalities. Leaving home was one of the most courageous decisions I have ever made, but only in Tanzania did I begin to understand the universality of my grandmother’s lessons in a global context.

The UWC experience was incredibly meaningful, immersing me in a community dedicated to social justice and community service. Living and learning with peers from diverse backgrounds broadened my understanding of the world and deepened my sense of responsibility toward it. Immersing myself in the wisdom of the Maasai and Hadza communities, I learned from their connection to land and tradition - a community mindset that reminded me of home and solidified my understanding that true healing and growth happen through connection, a belief that inspires my life journey.

I then moved to the United States, where I began studying Geography, developed a passion for outdoor education, and had the opportunity to study abroad in Peru. One of the most significant experiences in my journey was conducting research in the Peruvian Amazon. I spent some weeks living and learning from the Ese Eja people in the Native Community of Infierno, exploring the impact of ecotourism on their swidden agricultural practices and the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge.

"The younger generations no longer value traditional knowledge; our worldviews are fading away," the president of the community told me.

His words struck me, reinforcing my commitment to honor and elevate the wisdom of my elders. I thought of my grandmother, who taught me that plants have spirits and that our relationship with them is sacred. Her stories about trees and her reverence for the land echoed inside me. The community leader’s statement didn’t just reaffirm my conviction - it fueled my sense of urgency to preserve and celebrate these traditions in a world rapidly losing touch with them.

Moving forward, I intend to bridge my roots with a greater purpose - honoring my ancestors' legacies while engaging with new landscapes and ideas.

Moving forward, I intend to help preserve and share the invaluable wisdom that connects people, cultures, and the natural world for generations to come.