Our Story

Established in 2007, the impetus for BigWorldSmallPlanet was to create an experience for yoga enthusiasts to discover Nicaragua, its incredible beauty and most importantly, the potential of its children. As part of each and every retreat, some time is set aside to hang with the kids in local communities. Most Nica kids have never experienced yoga and are quite intrigued and open. On a very special December afternoon, 36 children were boated over to Jicaro Island to get to know Peter and his group. Peter, as Peter does, jumped in feet first (if memory serves, right into some Warrior moves!) and the joy and laughter commenced. ‘Yoga Fun’ was had by all and the group was immediately invited to visit their community to see some of their homes and school. On the spot, witnessing their hardships, Peter declared, ‘Kids should be able to be kids’. A truer statement could not have been uttered as this community called Costa Sur represents one of the poorer ones in the country. Peter announced that a playground would be designed and built and we would take it from there in nurturing the Costa Sur kids. The initiative quickly expanded into what is now karmaNICA.

KarmaNICA is an organization established to create an educational and nurturing environment for the children of the Costa Sur Community of Nicaragua. The community is situated at the Foot of Mombacho Volcano on Lake Nicaragua near the colonial city of Granada. Given its small population and close proximity to both our partner, Jicaro Island Ecolodge and the major Nicaraguan city of Granada, the potential resources for supplies, mentoring and monitoring are ideal for long-term growth. This initiative is designed to provide an optimal learning and activities environment for 36 underprivileged children (under the age of 14) and to engage and empower their parents and community leaders along our collective journey.