What does Bogata Suma stand for? Rich forest.... A place in nature to relax. To learn and enjoy together to create quality things. Have great results and celebrate. We are looking ahead. Many things will develop in 2017. We decided that learning is a big part of our initiative. We need to learn every day to create what we want. Work hard at getting results and enjoying it. And at the proper moment stop and celebrate what we have reached. And then, sit and do nothing but sit, enjoy good food and company and celebrate that again. When does celebrating ever stop???
As we were used to live in the city of  Leiden, we went to stores to get everything we needed. Warming the house came from pipes. Electricity via wires. That is normal. Now we warm the house with wood. The whole year we are collecting a little bit of wood here, a little bit there. Anything that breaks off a tree and is sort of useful, we pick up. Cut in small pieces. And stack. That way there is a continuous flow of wood to cook and heat the house. Integrated within the moves we make anyway. How can we use this in more contexts? We'll experiment with that in 2017. Our 'Get connected year'. A year for a selective few to come and enjoy with us this exhilerating life out in the forest.

We are building a core group that can support the many initiatives that are planned. We have a group that is connected and active on direction level. Next to it are themes. Animals, housing and maintenance, garden and forest design, conserving and food, foundation general management & volunteer organisation, training and education programs. The background idea is that the environment in which we work is organized in productive results as mentioned above. Proper legal structure will ensure everybody is feeling well served in connecting and joining this initiative. For inspiration, ask about Findhorn foundation in Scotland. See how they are organized. Or Sieben Linden in Germany. I let myself be inspired by many more of those initiatives.
If you think it's time for you to come and join a starting group to create a village and initiatives in nature? Contact us at www.bogatasuma@gmail.com. Or call 00385955088572 to come and meet us and exchange what you would contribute to a passionate life in nature. We are there to serve you serve nature. To inspire you to make natural choices. And to celebrate and take pride in creating beauty. Till we in our right moment feed the trees again.

This year was awsome again. It gets better every year. Inspiring projects and cooperative results. As well as things that did not go too well. But taken in the stride and absorbed so we know better next year. Finishing things has been a challenge in the past. Still is. So special attention is paid to when we start new projects. That is when an other project has been finished. Normal one would say. For other it is a challenge. We are learning.

Next year will see steps made in creating the right setting for hospitality to develop. The aim is to have outdoor kitchen, lounge combined with water house (cleaning showering) and swimming pool. That would seem like enough goals. We have some more. 

Next year is animal year. Building stables therefore. Goats of a special swiss kind, a local strain of pig, some new birds. Alpaca's are maybe a step too far for 2017. That takes learning too. As all animals and the care they need.

The volunteer organisation will be contained by a foundation. The volunteers will be organized in teams that are organized in themes. Preparations for that are under way as well as formalizing the foundation. A new way of working will grow. It is clear we cannot and should not want to do all. It is also the aim to have more people live around us. Space will be adapted or built for some to come and live here. Over time teams will take themes of animals, garden and park development, kitchen and foundation team. So we can cooperate and build village life. A life where elderly can be and live a life in a natural village setting. Supported by the young. A setting for the young to learn this natural life from the elderly. For that the foundation will be attracting funds.

All in it is going to be another explosive year at Bogata Suma.

All this is possible because we as a team are growing. Through training in permaculture for one. To have natural growh take place. But definitely because of personal development and the seeking of support outside our small family. Volunteering is inspiring. We will build an honor wall for all those that have been here. Those that have been here some of which you see in the pictures above. Personal development training to have a success system support us is another aspect that is developing under the experience of the projects at Bogata Suma. It is certain systems in practice that make that we can take the load we are taking. And sound financial management. Barbara can take credit for that. There are more that will be named later.

We are looking at a very promissingoutlook for 2017. We hope to see you here and join us in a beautiful project with many fun and inspiring things to do in the coming period.

Living in nature and having lot's of inspiring people around.

Looking back to 2015.

We have so much to be grateful for.

So many people came into our life.

Ursula and Chris from New Zealand, Chris from Australia, Yaean from Whales, Ursula from Germany, Stanko and Mile (Kalimero) from Vojnic, Romana and Wurda from Vojnic, Robert from Dallas Texas, Julian from Canada, Bastien from France, Magda Pichler from Croatia, Mayta and Renaldo from Brasil, Leighann and Keri from California. The California delegation later went to our family in Sierra Estronad in Aragon, Spain. 

Referring directly to our family in Spain also was a successful first.

If you want to visit them;https://sierraestronad.wordpress.com/

Igor Monojlovic from Vojnic, (canoeing) Mario and Monica from Barilovic, Robert Fran from Karlovac.

We also learned so much from our older neighbours, Stevo Mrdenovic, Janko Mrdenovic, Janko Vujic. Getting to know more 

How to smoke meat and make porkfat for the kitchen. How to work with a scythe and hammer it sharp. Old techniques and valuable. Why? Scythe needs no gasoline, exercises the body, is silent, doesn't stink and the cut grass is better for the animals.

Dutch friends who provided us with the million star camping idea. Thanks family Vogelpoel for that. Especially their great inquisitive son who is interested in numbers.

Hence the million star camping.

New people in our lives: Rene and Helga Pronk of  His photography and tours in Zumbarak, Croatia. 

Walking tours and wine routes.

http://www.zumberaktours.com/

We were supported by so many people  also.

Not to forget our financial administrative expert Kruno Karin from Karlovac Call for excellen fiscal service in Croatia 0916460007. 

Also certainly not to forget Barbara's parents. Who support is in more than one way.