Imagining a currency that values the health of the river

I am working with two currency experts who will fly down to talk to Warren Wilson College if they find the prospect of creating a currency as a way to value their existing non cash economy. On a related project I am working with a two spirit Cherokee on a memorial to Buncombe County’s first massacre.

That massacre, I recently discovered, was launched on what is now the land owned by our intergerational family and land based family business; glamping and two Airbnbs, and retreats.

I already knew that the farm was part of the site of a native village of the Cherokee’s ancestors who lived here for at least five thousand years. There was a archaeological dig that some indigenous feel made it impure in the part of the village on the campus. So we have the only village site that is intact. They like to have access those sites in order to commune with their ancestors. We are in conversation about how to make that easy for them.

A currency for Warren Wilson’s non cash economy

Join us for a regional Neighborhood Economics focused on entrepreneurship.
Neighborhoodeconomics.org/Asheville

On Aug 21, 2024, at 5:09 AM, kevin jones <kevindoylejones1@gmail.com> wrote:



Join us for a regional Neighborhood Economics focused on entrepreneurship.
Neighborhoodeconomics.org/Asheville

Begin forwarded message:

From: kevin jones <kevindoylejones1@gmail.com>
Date: August 21, 2024 at 4:55:13 AM EDT
To: Amy Knisley <aknisley@warren-wilson.edu>, Michael Marks <mbmsling@gmail.com>, Leanne Ussher <leanne.ussher@bowraleafarm.com.au>, Will Ruddick <willruddick@gmail.com>, Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: A currency for Warren Wilson’s non cash economy

And i think it’s obvious that the college’s currency has an automatic repair tax, down around the level of other property linked taxes, that would go to the people creating the memorial of the massacre across the river from the college. The Repair Fund gives unrestricted operating income to a system entrepreneur. It is usually linked that system entrepreneur trying to deploy a common cents fund investment that creates repair and healing of the damage we’ve done, with this money given without strings to local indigenous Cherokee led projects.

There are two other nearby massacre sites they are interested in creating memorials about. I do the memorial about who the people who did the massacre were. I do research.

Join us for a regional Neighborhood Economics focused on entrepreneurship.
Neighborhoodeconomics.org/Asheville

On Aug 21, 2024, at 4:49 AM, kevin jones <kevindoylejones1@gmail.com> wrote:

Amy, I know you are traveling the country on your child’s college trip, but since you have been able to respond quickly most every day I will go ahead and launch the conversation about a currency with the college by bringing in four colleagues who are among the most experience and successful and creative builders of currencies with a social goal in the world.

The two based in the U.S., Michael and Leanne, are willing to come down to the college and talk about it, when things progress that far. Their travel will be covered. I suggest this currency start out in biomedicinals; they have a unique product that is better for the planet than any other suite of biomedicinals available on the market. We want to invest around this hit product with our Common Cents philanthropic investment fund we are doing with Eagle Market Streets

So, Amy, if you are interested in launching this discussion with the experts i have been peppering with more and more questions who have decided they are interested in a Warren Wilson’s existing non cash economy based currency, at least as a way to see what it is you actually value, please let us know. We can work out the timing.

Join us for a regional Neighborhood Economics focused on entrepreneurship.

Neighborhoodeconomics.org/Asheville

Postponing class til May 14, when Isavari will have good connectivity.

Scouting for the mother ship. Conferences in #AVL in the fall and the big one in Chicago in the Spring.
Neighborhoodeconomics.org

Begin forwarded message:

From: Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi>
Date: May 1, 2024 at 5:09 AM
To: Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1>
Cc: Bill Anderson <wlanderson>, Jose Leal <jleal67>, Lalita Booth <lalita.booth>, Stacey Cara <27openheart>
Subject: Re: Postponing class til May 14, when Isavari will have good connectivity.

Audacity is such a strong word, but yes based on my own experience learning about and educating others on Sarafu, it was clear that activities was the best approach.

The fact was after hearing about Sarafu for about a month and not quite getting the concept (something that was visible in so many other individuals), I opted to document my first interaction with it during a market day activity here

https://youtu.be/5aNfM-Bmp5Q?si=_Ad7eOJCmrowaIuH

Being able to see how it worked and getting feedback from the community that was using it at that moment offered so much clarity, and created a sense of connection.

The impact of these activities was also visible later on when leading the LGBTQ+ Economies of Support.

There was increased participation among members in weekly meetings based on excitement of having to spend their community vouchers to access different products, specifically pancakes, eggs and motorcycle rides.

Furthermore, integration between the queer communities here in Kenya with the rest of society is rare.

However, based on supporting the idea of community activities to enhance awareness and participation, we were able to initiate an interaction between a trans-community in Malindi and the the marginalized community of Kirepwe island, in educating their youth about HIV self-testing.

The main goal was for participants to interact with community vouchers by rewarding those who got tested with them, which they immediately redeem for available goods within the same space.

(The vision remains to have more such events so more individuals opt for testing).

I’ll leave at this and offer any clarification where it’s needed.

On Tue, 30 Apr 2024 at 22:43, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

I can wait. Can you tell me why you had the audacity to change the famous Will Ruddick’s business model?

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 30, 2024 at 3:28 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Hi Kevin,

Wasn’t sure which thread to follow so I went this one.

Apologies for the technical issues on my end today. It sucked not being able to go through with the call.

To avoid the same technicalities next week, I wanted to suggest postponing our engagement to the 14th of May.

At least then I’ll have what I need to carry out a proper uninterrupted zoom conversation with the team for a full hour.

We’ll add 2 more calls to compensate for this time.

Let me know your thoughts on this, because I wouldn’t want to waste your time again.

Isavary

On Fri, 26 Apr 2024 at 09:22, Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi> wrote:

That’s quite detailed and speaks the facts.

The weakness is definitely in the availability of resources to back up continued trade. For example, if I’m accepting my vouchers for donuts and I ran out of fiat currency to purchase more ingredients, then trade using vouchers stalls.

This is unless I get funds to purchase the products (in this case exchange my vouchers for cash) or get the shopkeeper to also accept the vouchers for flour, eggs, milk etc. which I can buy back later or bring onboard a supplier willing to accept them for him to purchase more stock.

Networking is key!

On Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 22:17, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

Chat gpt on serafu vouchers.

Is it right? Where is it weak?

The vouchers in the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme are called “Sarafu.” Sarafu vouchers are a form of community currency that serves as a medium of exchange within the participating community. These vouchers are designed to facilitate trade, increase access to goods and services, and promote economic activity among community members, especially in areas where traditional currency circulation is limited.
Sarafu vouchers are issued by Grassroots Economics to individuals within the community network. They can be earned through various means such as providing goods or services, participating in community activities, or receiving them as part of local economic programs. These vouchers can then be used for transactions within the network of businesses and individuals that accept Sarafu as a form of payment.
By using Sarafu vouchers, community members can engage in local trade, support local businesses, and foster economic empowerment within their community. The Serafu currency scheme aims to provide an alternative economic system that complements existing currency systems and helps to address financial inclusion and economic challenges faced by underserved populations.
In summary, Sarafu vouchers are the core component of the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme, enabling communities to create and sustain local economic activities, promote social cohesion, and build resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 25, 2024 at 3:10 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Awesome!

Have a blessed day and I’ll wait to hear from you tomorrow.

Goodnight from my end.

On Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 22:07, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

Ok i will work on that tomorrow morning. I am connected to serafu.

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 25, 2024 at 3:06 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Nice! In that case I’m blessed to have your recognition, thank you.

How’s the going with Valora btw…were you able to access the dapps?

I would love for you to create a Sarafu network profile so it’s easier to share funds by you buying our vouchers, which we can then accept as payment in the near future – touching on our 1-hour weekly engagements. We would finally be interacting with the vouchers rather than talk about them.

It would really make a difference if we received funds weekly, as opposed to the one-off $250 that we unfortunately have no access to until 13th of May. This will also mean that we’ll have the financial resources we need to continue our community engagements here in Nairobi.

Let me know what you think.

On Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 20:50, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

Ajaita shah, frontier markets. I was the first one to recognize her. Now she’s a big star.

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 25, 2024 at 1:16 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Looking forward to when she’s able to reach out.

Who is she, what does she do?

On Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 19:08, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

She’s at an international conference this week, but will be in touch. I have lost her email. We connected on fb.

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 25, 2024 at 10:09 AM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

That’s awesome news!

We definitely invite the support and enlightenment from different perspectives.

On Thu, 25 Apr 2024 at 17:05, kevin jones <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

I love your approach
Important connection coming soon

Convening the People Repairing Local Economies
Neighborhoodeconomics.org

On Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 9:28 AM Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi> wrote:

We noticed you highlighted our Medium article ‘Millennial on the Run.’

It’s amazing to have someone resonate with your inner voice so thank you for the support 😊

On Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 17:34, Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi> wrote:

Click on ‘discover’

On Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 17:32, Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi> wrote:

Nice!

It’s a really easy app to use. If you open dapps you’ll see safaru…

On Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 16:32, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

Sorry for being crabby about learning new tech. I dont do it well

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 24, 2024 at 9:12 AM, <Kevindoylejones1> wrote:

i set up valora. Wasn’t too hard.

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 24, 2024 at 9:03 AM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

It’s a celo-powered global payment app that we use to swap Sarafu network vouchers and other currencies.

https://valora.xyz/

On Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 15:56, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

What is Valora?

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 24, 2024 at 8:12 AM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Yes you can!

It would be nice to share the story.

That would mean going to town for me and that works.

Did you manage to learn Valora?

On Tue, 23 Apr 2024 at 21:26, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

Doesn’t have to be super quiet. I want people to hear what you are doing rather than having it boiled down to an email because we are stuck on what’s app. And if we are then we will live with that, too.

In my wandering phase again.

Learning about Serafu; an interview, an email thread, chat gpt

Several organizations support the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency system through funding and collaboration. Some of the key organizations involved in funding or supporting the Serafu system include:

1. Grassroots Economics: Grassroots Economics itself plays a significant role in creating and implementing the Serafu currency system. Grassroots Economics is an organization dedicated to promoting economic empowerment and community development through innovative currency models. They help design, implement, and sustain community currency systems like Sarafu to address economic challenges in underserved areas.

2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Various NGOs focused on economic development, community empowerment, and poverty alleviation may provide funding and support to initiatives like the Serafu system. These organizations often see community currencies as a way to promote inclusive economic growth and resilience in communities facing financial exclusion.

3. Development Agencies: International development agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and others, may also contribute to funding community currency projects like Serafu. They view these initiatives as tools for addressing poverty, promoting local economic activity, and fostering sustainable development.

4. Philanthropic Foundations: Foundations that support initiatives related to financial inclusion, sustainable development, and community empowerment may provide grants or funding to organizations like Grassroots Economics to implement and expand the Serafu system.

These organizations support the Grassroots Economics Serafu system for various reasons, including:

1. Financial Inclusion: They recognize the importance of providing alternative financial tools, such as community currencies, to populations with limited access to traditional banking services and national currencies.

2. Community Empowerment: They aim to empower communities to take control of their economic affairs, stimulate local economic activity, and promote self-reliance and resilience.

3. Sustainable Development: By supporting community currency systems like Serafu, these organizations contribute to sustainable development goals by fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, and enhancing social well-being within underserved communities.

In summary, organizations fund the Grassroots Economics Serafu system to promote financial inclusion, community empowerment, and sustainable development in underserved areas, recognizing the potential of community currencies to address economic challenges and support local communities.

The vouchers in the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme are called “Sarafu.” Sarafu vouchers are a form of community currency that serves as a medium of exchange within the participating community. These vouchers are designed to facilitate trade, increase access to goods and services, and promote economic activity among community members, especially in areas where traditional currency circulation is limited.

Sarafu vouchers are issued by Grassroots Economics to individuals within the community network. They can be earned through various means such as providing goods or services, participating in community activities, or receiving them as part of local economic programs. These vouchers can then be used for transactions within the network of businesses and individuals that accept Sarafu as a form of payment.

By using Sarafu vouchers, community members can engage in local trade, support local businesses, and foster economic empowerment within their community. The Serafu currency scheme aims to provide an alternative economic system that complements existing currency systems and helps to address financial inclusion and economic challenges faced by underserved populations.

In summary, Sarafu vouchers are the core component of the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme, enabling communities to create and sustain local economic activities, promote social cohesion, and build resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.The vouchers in the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme are called “Sarafu.” Sarafu vouchers are a form of community currency that serves as a medium of exchange within the participating community. These vouchers are designed to facilitate trade, increase access to goods and services, and promote economic activity among community members, especially in areas where traditional currency circulation is limited.

Sarafu vouchers are issued by Grassroots Economics to individuals within the community network. They can be earned through various means such as providing goods or services, participating in community activities, or receiving them as part of local economic programs. These vouchers can then be used for transactions within the network of businesses and individuals that accept Sarafu as a form of payment.

By using Sarafu vouchers, community members can engage in local trade, support local businesses, and foster economic empowerment within their community. The Serafu currency scheme aims to provide an alternative economic system that complements existing currency systems and helps to address financial inclusion and economic challenges faced by underserved populations.

In summary, Sarafu vouchers are the core component of the Grassroots Economics Serafu currency scheme, enabling communities to create and sustain local economic activities, promote social cohesion, and build resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.The photo aesthetics is soothing and calming. Are they on Instagram?

On Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 15:16, Isavary Khabuqwi <isavarykhabuqwi> wrote:

Wow!

Absolutely adore the purple and the outdoor corridor/veranda + Glamping, parties, retreats… you’re speaking our language.

You have a beautiful place 💜

On Tue, 23 Apr 2024 at 21:45, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 23, 2024 at 12:16 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for taking the time to join our meeting and really listen to my story. Here’s a summary of what we spoke about.

What has community currencies done for me and how did I get in that space?

The frustration of never being fully satisfied with my life based on financial and personal constraints is what drove me to move to Kilifi. I had visited this small town for vacation once in 2012 for 3 days, and when leaving I felt something was unfinished. 7 years later we moved with my son right before the Covid-19 lockdown and life has never been the same for us.

What we discovered is a sense of community and belonging among fellow creatives who seemed to be searching for the same sense of freedom to be and create as I was. Kilifi Culture was birthed during one of our conversations involving the financial challenges being faced by creatives who choose to live a life of purpose. We immediately started capturing and sharing our stories on Instagram, as form of support for each other.

Discovering Sarafu during a market day event later that year opened up the possibility of creating a safe space for personal growth, by relying on what we can offer each other. I fell in love with the idea and my own vision of what success looked like.

Shortly after, I secured a job as a field worker and communications engineer with Grassroots Economics and it has been a learning journey and one opportunity after another to advance awareness and use of Community Inclusion Currencies, now know as Community Asset Vouchers that anyone can now create via Sarafu network.

Coming from an upbringing where money was a touchy subject, the concept of community currencies has saved us from our intense emotional attachment to it. From working with marginalised communities to finally leading the LGBTQ economies of support project, we’ve conquered every limited financial mindset by engaging with individuals from different walks of life.

Our experience has created our new reality where money isn’t a means of survival, but a means of creating lasting economic change for us by advancing in promoting these vouchers.


Isavary

WhatsApp call Summary – My CIC Story

Wow!

Absolutely adore the purple and the outdoor corridor/veranda + Glamping, parties, retreats… you’re speaking our language.

You have a beautiful place 💜

On Tue, 23 Apr 2024 at 21:45, Kevindoylejones1 <kevindoylejones1> wrote:

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 23, 2024 at 12:16 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for taking the time to join our meeting and really listen to my story. Here’s a summary of what we spoke about.

What has community currencies done for me and how did I get in that space?

The frustration of never being fully satisfied with my life based on financial and personal constraints is what drove me to move to Kilifi. I had visited this small town for vacation once in 2012 for 3 days, and when leaving I felt something was unfinished. 7 years later we moved with my son right before the Covid-19 lockdown and life has never been the same for us.

What we discovered is a sense of community and belonging among fellow creatives who seemed to be searching for the same sense of freedom to be and create as I was. Kilifi Culture was birthed during one of our conversations involving the financial challenges being faced by creatives who choose to live a life of purpose. We immediately started capturing and sharing our stories on Instagram, as form of support for each other.

Discovering Sarafu during a market day event later that year opened up the possibility of creating a safe space for personal growth, by relying on what we can offer each other. I fell in love with the idea and my own vision of what success looked like.

Shortly after, I secured a job as a field worker and communications engineer with Grassroots Economics and it has been a learning journey and one opportunity after another to advance awareness and use of Community Inclusion Currencies, now know as Community Asset Vouchers that anyone can now create via Sarafu network.

Coming from an upbringing where money was a touchy subject, the concept of community currencies has saved us from our intense emotional attachment to it. From working with marginalised communities to finally leading the LGBTQ economies of support project, we’ve conquered every limited financial mindset by engaging with individuals from different walks of life.

Our experience has created our new reality where money isn’t a means of survival, but a means of creating lasting economic change for us by advancing in promoting these vouchers.


Isavary

WhatsApp call Summary – My CIC Story

In my wandering phase again.

Where I call home https://www.riparianway.org/

On Apr 23, 2024 at 12:16 PM, <Isavary Khabuqwi> wrote:

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for taking the time to join our meeting and really listen to my story. Here’s a summary of what we spoke about.

What has community currencies done for me and how did I get in that space?

The frustration of never being fully satisfied with my life based on financial and personal constraints is what drove me to move to Kilifi. I had visited this small town for vacation once in 2012 for 3 days, and when leaving I felt something was unfinished. 7 years later we moved with my son right before the Covid-19 lockdown and life has never been the same for us.

What we discovered is a sense of community and belonging among fellow creatives who seemed to be searching for the same sense of freedom to be and create as I was. Kilifi Culture was birthed during one of our conversations involving the financial challenges being faced by creatives who choose to live a life of purpose. We immediately started capturing and sharing our stories on Instagram, as form of support for each other.

Discovering Sarafu during a market day event later that year opened up the possibility of creating a safe space for personal growth, by relying on what we can offer each other. I fell in love with the idea and my own vision of what success looked like.

Shortly after, I secured a job as a field worker and communications engineer with Grassroots Economics and it has been a learning journey and one opportunity after another to advance awareness and use of Community Inclusion Currencies, now know as Community Asset Vouchers that anyone can now create via Sarafu network.

Coming from an upbringing where money was a touchy subject, the concept of community currencies has saved us from our intense emotional attachment to it. From working with marginalised communities to finally leading the LGBTQ economies of support project, we’ve conquered every limited financial mindset by engaging with individuals from different walks of life.

Our experience has created our new reality where money isn’t a means of survival, but a means of creating lasting economic change for us by advancing in promoting these vouchers.


Isavary

Learning to be instagram literate

Lalita Booth and I are learning to be instagram literated, taught by a brilliant woman from Kenya who is using to socialize an alternative currency that lets people help neighbors discharge their debts to each other. Isavary Khabuqwi is part of Kilifi Culture, and they have a variant of Sarafu that has moved to the Celo blockchain platform, so that anyone can create a voucher in the mutual credit like currency system. I am storing what I learn about their system here.

Here is what chat gpt said about one part of that system:

Pooling of grants and loans in platforms like Serafu is a mechanism that aggregates funds from multiple sources with the aim of increasing the impact and efficiency of capital deployment within a community. Here’s how it works and what it accomplishes for the community,:

  1. Aggregating Funds: By pooling grants and loans, Seraf combines resources from various donors, investors, and financial institutions into a single fund. This creates a larger pool of capital available for investment or deployment in community development projects.
  2. Enhancing Impact: Pooling funds allows for greater financial leverage, enabling larger and more impactful investments in projects that benefit the community. This can lead to the creation of jobs, improvement of infrastructure, support for education and healthcare, and other social and economic development initiatives.
  3. Risk Mitigation: Diversifying funding sources through pooling helps mitigate risks associated with individual grants or loans. If one source of funding encounters challenges, the impact on the overall pool may be minimized due to the diversified nature of the portfolio.
  4. Efficiency: Pooling grants and loans can streamline the allocation process, reduce administrative burdens, and optimize the utilization of resources. It also enables more efficient coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in community development efforts.
  5. Fostering Collaboration: By bringing together different stakeholders, pooling funds encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing among donors, investors, organizations, and community members. This can lead to synergies, innovation, and collective action to address complex community challenges.
  6. Sustainability: Pooling funds can contribute to the sustainability of community development initiatives by providing stable and diversified funding sources over the long term. This stability can help projects weather economic uncertainties and changes in funding priorities.
    In summary, pooling grants and loans in platforms like Seraf is a strategy that enhances the impact, efficiency, and sustainability of community development efforts by aggregating resources, mitigating risks, fostering collaboration, and promoting long-term positive outcomes for the community.

Hired someone to teach me instagram

The woman who wrote this is also an instagram genius, working with a young community in Kenya. They are using the community currency Sarafu, with UBI from Grassrootseconomics.org.  The result is like the Guarantee by Natalie Foster, but with a currency that erases local debts. 

I need to understand instagram. So I have hired Isavari Qabuqui to help me become instagram literate. The biomedicinal producers in our bio region use instagram in ways I can’t follow. The web is sort of passe for them. We want to work with them to create a Give2Invest zero interest patient capital loans with a tax deduction instead of a GoFundMe. And unlike GoFundMe, the giver gets the money back to give again.

I have offered Isavari’s classes to the two women I am working with on this project. Jazmin Rogers of Eagle Market Streets and local permaculture farmer and Harvard MBA Lalita Booth.