I’m looking for people who want to experience South America, help the poor, and live and travel on a sustainable bus.

I have friends involved in BioTour, a traveling sustainability education non-profit. They modified a bus to run on vegetable oil, which they recycle from restaurants. I want to do the same– plus collect a share of energy from the sun too, as they do.

Half of the bus would be for us, including places to sleep and enjoy ourselves. The other half would have services for poor villages we visit on the way. That could include facilities for basic medical care, internet access, and the opportunity for people to record their stories and be heard.

I also want to just travel around South America in an interesting and fun living arrangement. I think I can make it work for a fraction of the cost of hostel-stays and commercial bus travel.

Do you want to be involved in something great? I have an idea for a way to build a new economic world, run by people’s interests instead of money, starting online.

How will it work?
Anyone can propose a new project/business. It could be for-profit, for a particular community, for charity, for art, whatever. People can search through these projects and “sign on” to participate, with whatever time and skills they can provide. The site helps connect people and resources, and supports non-monitary compensation: an economy of time and reputation as well as money.

What are the requirements for projects?
All projects must be sustainable, economically just, and cooperatively organized.

When would it start and how can I help?
Development can start immediately. I need website developers, graphic designers, and business people to find support and spread the word.