Mirrihue Alto is a rural town located five kilometres from the village of Antuco in the Biobío province of southern Chile. Some of its inhabitants work in the production of honey and honey-derived products. One of the major challenges facing the area is the lack of native trees and wild flora, primarily due to the proliferation of large monoculture plantations, such as pine and eucalyptus.
Trees like eucalyptus can consume between 20 litters of water per day for a three-year-old tree and up to 200 litters a day for a 20-year-old tree, which damages the ecosystem, draining away all the water and rendering these hectares highly vulnerable to forest fires. Furthermore, pine trees cause significant harm to the soil, and this has a knock-on effect on the local wildlife and the ecosystem generally.
Water scarcity is one reason it is difficult to maintain and support native trees and wild flora. In order to maintain floral diversity, deep irrigation wells are often necessary because monoculture directly impacts the lives of bees, pollination, honey production and its byproducts, and thus negatively impacts the area’s wildlife. That is why, years ago, when I discovered this particular part of my native Chile, I began dreaming of digging a deep well that would enable me to plant native trees which would in turn directly benefit the local ecosystem.
The digging of the well was a long and complex journey in coming to fruition because the soil is very rocky, the water is deep down in the ground, and this makes well construction expensive. Over the years of waiting and searching, a satellite survey revealed that the land where I wanted to dig was unsuitable. This discouraging revelation didn’t deter me from dreaming and continuing my search.
A few months ago, a small company informed me they could drill a well, so we resumed the hunt for a suitable location. The search for water was carried out using an ancient technique used by the local Mapuche people: they used wooden rods while today pieces of copper wire are used. This method of searching for the “eye of water” or the location of deep water is called “zahorí.” Thanks to this technique, we identified the perfect spot to dig and create the well that would provide the water.
I worried about the cost, but with the help of a few friends, I managed to cover the expenses. The man overseeing the project revealed that the water was at a depth of 11 metres. His calm demeanour encouraged me to take the risk, though I hadn’t said a prayer or sprinkled holy water nor brought a holy medal to the chosen spot.
The initial digging was challenging as the ground was filled with rocks. As we became a little unnerved by the fact that we were only encountering rock, a local man (digging a well is a community effort where all the neighbours help) asked me if I had sought Mother Earth’s permission to dig and draw water. This question, “Did you ask Mother Earth’s permission to dig and draw water?” lingered in my mind. Early the next day, I returned to the site to pray. I sprinkled holy water from Lourdes, threw a blessed medal of the Virgin Mary, and I also sought Mother Earth’s permission to continue digging for water. Soon afterwards the ground began to give way and water gushed from the depths of the earth at nine metres. By 13 metres, a steady flow was assured for the trees that will be planted this winter in southern Chile. These native trees will be donated by those supporting this contribution to biodiversity.
This experience teaches me to continue searching even when the ‘studies’ are unfavourable; it encourages me to trust the dream that drives my search. It reveals the wisdom in “asking permission” which implies recognising our interconnectedness rather than seeing ourselves as owners of Mother Earth or “Ñuke Mapu” in the language of the Mapuche people. It reminds me to trust what others share (the small business, the man with the copper rods, the neighbour who came to accompany me) and urges me to delve deeper, motivating me to remove the obstacles. Arduous work but one that enables an encounter with life: water!
