Ecology,

Culture,

Action.

Ecology,

Culture,

Action.

About
We create conscious, regenerative change by empowering people and protecting Nature
Donate
About
We create conscious, regenerative change by empowering people and protecting Nature
Love For Life is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to conscious, collaborative action that models regenerative practices and upholds sacred relationships with self, each other and the Earth to ignite social, ecological and spiritual healing.
Our Vision

Our vision is a Conscious Earth Culture where human and Nature thrive. A united world in which all love to live, in which all life is held sacred, and in which all can realize their full potential to share their unique gifts in service of life.

Our Mission

We empower people and protect the living Earth through whole system regenerative action.

Our Philosophy

We believe creating real change starts with an open heart, for when we feel that all life is fundamentally interconnected, we are inspired to act differently.

Meet

the Team

Solar project team with local partners, Amazon 2017

Meet

the Team

Cristina Arau
Founder & Executive Director

Cristina is a visionary creator, guided by her heart and in service of life. In 2013 she founded Love For Life following her life-long passion to bring together the inner and outer work, recognizing that our state of doing is informed by our state of being. Cristina studied ‘International Development’ and a Master of Arts Program in ‘Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation’. As a humanitarian and peace worker she lived and worked in numerous countries around the world. For the United Nations, she worked in the IDP camps in northern Uganda while documenting and codifying the traditional restorative justice system (re-)discovering voices of peace and reconciliation in the 2008 peace process. She served on the first congressional campaign of Marianne Williamson which initiated a new political conversation and called for a politics of love rooted in the real challenges of today’s world. Cristina is a multiple-trained, trauma-informed teacher and perpetual student of inner and embodiment practices, speaker and Nature lover.

Rosemary Alvarez
Regional Director Latin America

Rose, from Costa Rica, sees life as a journey to enjoy and to be thankful for, especially if we can spread love with everything we do. Rose is Love For Life’s Regional Director in Central and South America overseeing all our projects and programs and coordinating with our partners in the region. Her gift and passion of communicating with compassion, wisdom and patience allows her to connect around the globe. Prior to joining LFL, Rose worked for the UNESCO and for other national and international NGOs in the cultural, educational and environmental sector. Rose loves to learn languages and to get in contact with other cultures. She has a Master’s degree in ‘International Relations’ with a focus on Project Management in International Cooperation. Rose enjoys to empower others to feel good about themselves and to expand their potential. She is convinced that we can make this planet a better place for all by starting to get to know ourselves and to take care of ourselves, each other and the Earth, so that we can embody the change we want to see in the world.

Thomas Pablo Hilker
Program Manager

Born in Mexico into a bi-cultural family (German, Spanish), Thomas has soon recognized his global citizenship with rights, privileges, as well as responsibilities towards humanity and the Earth. At Love For Life he follows his vision to mediate among people, creative ideas, and powerful initiatives fostering the transformation of structures on micro and macro levels. He has worked as project manager for various institutions (GIZ, UN ECLAC, MI) and civil society organizations engaged in social inclusion, international cooperation, humanitarian relief and sustainability. Based on his regional focus on Latin America and South Asia, Thomas has lived and worked in Brazil, Chile, India and Sri Lanka. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations/Political Science (at Humboldt & Free Univ. Berlin, Univ. Potsdam) and conducted his M.A.-Thesis on community-led natural resource management with a focus on gender (as DAAD scholar in New Delhi). Driven by the beauty, but also the inherent contradictions of our world, he embarks on a journey committed to unlearning and building new narratives of interconnectedness, peace and collaboration. 

Andrea Stöcker
Finance & Controlling

Andrea is a systematic thinker & number cruncher with a strong connection to the natural world and feminine values. Andrea studied Business Administration in Berlin. Since 20 years she is working internationally in large, mid-size and small corporations in Accounting & Controlling. Already early at the beginning of her career she felt the need for change and transformation. In her own journey of personal development this feeling became clearer and formed into a strong vision for life-centered businesses. Life-centered business serve all living creatures now and in the future by providing security for all participants along the circular value chain. These businesses take responsibility to encourage personal development and enable a baseline for a triving future. Andrea’s commitment to Love For Life springs from her heart and the wish to be part of a team creating wonderful and important impact in the world. Andrea ensures that Love For Life’s accounting, budget control and project finances are in perfect order and immaculate.

Ivannia Alvarado Quirós
Communications Coordinator

Among many things, Iva is a granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, friend, neighbor, Latin American, traveler, communicator, observer, and above all, a person deeply in love with photography. Over the past half-decade, Iva has had the privilege of documenting projects and people with significant social impact. Her journey has led her to remote rural communities, where she has strategically harnessed digital communication to champion the cause of sustainable development. As Communications Coordinator of Love For life she is dedicated to contributing to a better future for all. Her deep passion for working with Indigenous communities allows her to connect with and learn from their wisdom, enriching her own understanding of our interconnectedness. Now, more than ever, she believes that it is crucial to understand and strengthen our connection to the Earth and it is her pleasure to do so as part of the Love For Life team.

Meet

the Team

Cristina Arau
Cristina Arau
Rosemary Alvarez
Rosemary Alvarez
Thomas Pablo Hilker
Thomas Pablo Hilker
Andrea Stöcker
Andrea Stöcker
Ivannia Alvarado Quirós
Ivannia Alvarado Quirós
Cristina Arau
Cristina Arau
Founder & Executive Director

Cristina is a visionary creator, guided by her heart and in service of life. In 2013 she founded Love For Life following her life-long passion to bring together the inner and outer work, recognizing that our state of doing is informed by our state of being. Cristina studied ‘International Development’ and a Master of Arts Program in ‘Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation’. As a humanitarian and peace worker she lived and worked in numerous countries around the world. For the United Nations, she worked in the IDP camps in northern Uganda while documenting and codifying the traditional restorative justice system (re-)discovering voices of peace and reconciliation in the 2008 peace process. She served on the first congressional campaign of Marianne Williamson which initiated a new political conversation and called for a politics of love rooted in the real challenges of today’s world. Cristina is a multiple-trained, trauma-informed teacher and perpetual student of inner and embodiment practices, speaker and Nature lover.

Rosemary Alvarez
Rosemary Alvarez
Regional Director Latin America

Rose, from Costa Rica, sees life as a journey to enjoy and to be thankful for, especially if we can spread love with everything we do. Rose is Love For Life’s Regional Director in Central and South America overseeing all our projects and programs and coordinating with our partners in the region. Her gift and passion of communicating with compassion, wisdom and patience allows her to connect around the globe. Prior to joining LFL, Rose worked for the UNESCO and for other national and international NGOs in the cultural, educational and environmental sector. Rose loves to learn languages and to get in contact with other cultures. She has a Master’s degree in ‘International Relations’ with a focus on Project Management in International Cooperation. Rose enjoys to empower others to feel good about themselves and to expand their potential. She is convinced that we can make this planet a better place for all by starting to get to know ourselves and to take care of ourselves, each other and the Earth, so that we can embody the change we want to see in the world.

Thomas Pablo Hilker
Thomas Pablo Hilker
Program Manager

Born in Mexico into a bi-cultural family (German, Spanish), Thomas has soon recognized his global citizenship with rights, privileges, as well as responsibilities towards humanity and the Earth. At Love For Life he follows his vision to mediate among people, creative ideas, and powerful initiatives fostering the transformation of structures on micro and macro levels. He has worked as project manager for various institutions (GIZ, UN ECLAC, MI) and civil society organizations engaged in social inclusion, international cooperation, humanitarian relief and sustainability. Based on his regional focus on Latin America and South Asia, Thomas has lived and worked in Brazil, Chile, India and Sri Lanka. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations/Political Science (at Humboldt & Free Univ. Berlin, Univ. Potsdam) and conducted his M.A.-Thesis on community-led natural resource management with a focus on gender (as DAAD scholar in New Delhi). Driven by the beauty, but also the inherent contradictions of our world, he embarks on a journey committed to unlearning and building new narratives of interconnectedness, peace and collaboration. 

Andrea Stöcker
Andrea Stöcker
Finance & Controlling

Andrea is a systematic thinker & number cruncher with a strong connection to the natural world and feminine values. Andrea studied Business Administration in Berlin. Since 20 years she is working internationally in large, mid-size and small corporations in Accounting & Controlling. Already early at the beginning of her career she felt the need for change and transformation. In her own journey of personal development this feeling became clearer and formed into a strong vision for life-centered businesses. Life-centered business serve all living creatures now and in the future by providing security for all participants along the circular value chain. These businesses take responsibility to encourage personal development and enable a baseline for a triving future. Andrea’s commitment to Love For Life springs from her heart and the wish to be part of a team creating wonderful and important impact in the world. Andrea ensures that Love For Life’s accounting, budget control and project finances are in perfect order and immaculate.

Ivannia Alvarado Quirós
Ivannia Alvarado Quirós
Communications Coordinator

Among many things, Iva is a granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, friend, neighbor, Latin American, traveler, communicator, observer, and above all, a person deeply in love with photography. Over the past half-decade, Iva has had the privilege of documenting projects and people with significant social impact. Her journey has led her to remote rural communities, where she has strategically harnessed digital communication to champion the cause of sustainable development. As Communications Coordinator of Love For life she is dedicated to contributing to a better future for all. Her deep passion for working with Indigenous communities allows her to connect with and learn from their wisdom, enriching her own understanding of our interconnectedness. Now, more than ever, she believes that it is crucial to understand and strengthen our connection to the Earth and it is her pleasure to do so as part of the Love For Life team.

Meet our Local Partners
Together with our ecosystem of people and partners we bring our work to life.
  • Kábata Könana is the women's organization of the Indigenous Cabécar rainforest territory of Talamanca in Costa Rica. The organization empowers Indigenous women and their families through socioecological, educational and economic activities. Kabata Könana is dedicated to Indigenous women’s leadership and the protection of their land, forests and mountains together with the restoration of their ancient traditions, culture, language and medicine.
    Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas Kábata Könana
    Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas Kábata Könana
    Kábata Könana is the women's organization of the Indigenous Cabécar rainforest territory of Talamanca in Costa Rica. The organization empowers Indigenous women and their families through socioecological, educational and economic activities. Kabata Könana is dedicated to Indigenous women’s leadership and the protection of their land, forests and mountains together with the restoration of their ancient traditions, culture, language and medicine.
  • AMARIE is a non-profit organization founded by women artisans of the Ipeti Indigenous Emberá community in Eastern Panama. Its objectives are to train and strengthen the leadership skills of Indigenous women and youth, reinforce their cultural identity and medicine, promote environmental conservation, and improve their economic, social, political and spiritual quality of life based on their cosmovision, traditions and wisdom.
    Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Indígenas Emberá
    Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Indígenas Emberá
    AMARIE is a non-profit organization founded by women artisans of the Ipeti Indigenous Emberá community in Eastern Panama. Its objectives are to train and strengthen the leadership skills of Indigenous women and youth, reinforce their cultural identity and medicine, promote environmental conservation, and improve their economic, social, political and spiritual quality of life based on their cosmovision, traditions and wisdom.
  • The Coordinator of Territorial Women Leaders is the semi-autonomous women’s unit of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMBP). The CMLT coordinates and proposes programs for the inclusion of women and their territorial rights in environmental policies, coordinates dialogue, and advocates for a gender-just and women-led defense of territory, ecosystems and culture of forest communities and Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica.
    Coordinadora de Mujeres Líderes Territoriales de Mesoamerica
    Coordinadora de Mujeres Líderes Territoriales de Mesoamerica
    The Coordinator of Territorial Women Leaders is the semi-autonomous women’s unit of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMBP). The CMLT coordinates and proposes programs for the inclusion of women and their territorial rights in environmental policies, coordinates dialogue, and advocates for a gender-just and women-led defense of territory, ecosystems and culture of forest communities and Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica.
  • The Association for the Integral Development of Talamanca Cabécar represents the Indigenous territorial governance of the Cabécar Territory of Talamanca. ADITICA promotes the social, political, economic, cultural and ecological development and protection of their territory. To ensure the well-being and self-determination of the Cabécar peoples, ADITICA also works closely with the local government, and other public and private institutions.
    Asociación de Desarrollo Integral del Territorio Indígena Talamanca Cabécar
    Asociación de Desarrollo Integral del Territorio Indígena Talamanca Cabécar
    The Association for the Integral Development of Talamanca Cabécar represents the Indigenous territorial governance of the Cabécar Territory of Talamanca. ADITICA promotes the social, political, economic, cultural and ecological development and protection of their territory. To ensure the well-being and self-determination of the Cabécar peoples, ADITICA also works closely with the local government, and other public and private institutions.
  • Amisacho is an educational organization dedicated to social, ecological and economic restoration in the northeastern Ecuadorian Amazon. Working together with local and Indigenous communities, Amisacho strengthens and celebrates community resilience and socioecological justice through ecosystem restoration, ecological education, innovative research and production, processing, and commercialization of Amazonian products.
    Amisacho
    Amisacho
    Amisacho is an educational organization dedicated to social, ecological and economic restoration in the northeastern Ecuadorian Amazon. Working together with local and Indigenous communities, Amisacho strengthens and celebrates community resilience and socioecological justice through ecosystem restoration, ecological education, innovative research and production, processing, and commercialization of Amazonian products.
  • Clinica Ambiental is an Ecuadorian non-profit organization that promotes socio-ecological restoration, equality and health in harmony with nature. Clinica Ambiental addresses the most pressing challenges in the Ecuadorian Amazon, combining scientific knowledge, community participation, and technological innovation to create comprehensive, long-term solutions.
    Clínica Ambiental
    Clínica Ambiental
    Clinica Ambiental is an Ecuadorian non-profit organization that promotes socio-ecological restoration, equality and health in harmony with nature. Clinica Ambiental addresses the most pressing challenges in the Ecuadorian Amazon, combining scientific knowledge, community participation, and technological innovation to create comprehensive, long-term solutions.
  • The Ceibo Alliance – named after the sacred Ceibo tree of the Amazon symbolizing hope – represents the Ai’Kofan, Siekopai, Siona and Waorani Indigenous peoples of the northeastern Amazon region of Ecuador. The alliance of four Indigenous nationalities was formed to preserve their lands and cultures together in peace. Ceibo supports local programs that address the needs and visions of Indigenous communities.
    Alianza Ceibo
    Alianza Ceibo
    The Ceibo Alliance – named after the sacred Ceibo tree of the Amazon symbolizing hope – represents the Ai’Kofan, Siekopai, Siona and Waorani Indigenous peoples of the northeastern Amazon region of Ecuador. The alliance of four Indigenous nationalities was formed to preserve their lands and cultures together in peace. Ceibo supports local programs that address the needs and visions of Indigenous communities.
Meet our Strategic Allies
  • The Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests is a dialogue and coordination platform for Indigenous governments and community forestry organizations that manage and influence major forests of Mesoamerica. Together, they enhance dialogue on community resource management and advocate for Indigenous rights, benefits and contributions in biodiversity conservation and climate change strategies, influencing policies and international cooperation.
    Alianza Mesoamericana de Pueblos y Bosques
    Alianza Mesoamericana de Pueblos y Bosques
    The Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests is a dialogue and coordination platform for Indigenous governments and community forestry organizations that manage and influence major forests of Mesoamerica. Together, they enhance dialogue on community resource management and advocate for Indigenous rights, benefits and contributions in biodiversity conservation and climate change strategies, influencing policies and international cooperation.
  • The Bribrí-Cabécar Indigenous Network includes Indigenous territories of the Atlantic region of Costa Rica (Limón, Talamanca; Siquirres). RIBCA advocates for the fundamental rights of the Bribrí and Cabécar peoples, coordinates local development plans with public institutions and communities, and collaborates with the central government. Since 2005, RIBCA has been working to improve the quality of life of Indigenous peoples.
    Red Indígena Bribrí y Cabécar
    Red Indígena Bribrí y Cabécar
    The Bribrí-Cabécar Indigenous Network includes Indigenous territories of the Atlantic region of Costa Rica (Limón, Talamanca; Siquirres). RIBCA advocates for the fundamental rights of the Bribrí and Cabécar peoples, coordinates local development plans with public institutions and communities, and collaborates with the central government. Since 2005, RIBCA has been working to improve the quality of life of Indigenous peoples.
  • The Association of Forest Communities of Petén is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve, focusing on biodiversity and cultural heritage protection. ACOFOP promotes community forestry models, sustainable and certified timber production, marketing, and tourism services, thereby enhancing Petén's territorial governance and ensuring long-term ecosystem and cultural heritage conservation.
    Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén
    Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén
    The Association of Forest Communities of Petén is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve, focusing on biodiversity and cultural heritage protection. ACOFOP promotes community forestry models, sustainable and certified timber production, marketing, and tourism services, thereby enhancing Petén's territorial governance and ensuring long-term ecosystem and cultural heritage conservation.
  • Colectivo Waybil is an educational organization that aims to share the philosophy and principles of syntropic agriculture, promoting a lifestyle in cooperation and harmony with Nature. They facilitate learning processes in diverse social and environmental contexts, through courses, workshops and programs in collaboration with NGOs, local institutions and private organizations.
    Colectivo Waybil
    Colectivo Waybil
    Colectivo Waybil is an educational organization that aims to share the philosophy and principles of syntropic agriculture, promoting a lifestyle in cooperation and harmony with Nature. They facilitate learning processes in diverse social and environmental contexts, through courses, workshops and programs in collaboration with NGOs, local institutions and private organizations.
  • YAKUM is a non-profit organization working with Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s Amazon region to protect their rainforests, and build cultural, medicinal and food sovereignty, through reforestation with carefully selected native tree species that guarantee production of culturally relevant foods, handicraft materials and medicines. YAKUM also engages in territorial resource mapping and community training for rainforest protection and restoration.
    YAKUM
    YAKUM
    YAKUM is a non-profit organization working with Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s Amazon region to protect their rainforests, and build cultural, medicinal and food sovereignty, through reforestation with carefully selected native tree species that guarantee production of culturally relevant foods, handicraft materials and medicines. YAKUM also engages in territorial resource mapping and community training for rainforest protection and restoration.
  • Amazon Frontlines is an international non-profit organization based in the western Amazon. Its mission is to support the struggles of Indigenous peoples to defend their rights to land, life and cultural survival in the Amazon Rainforest. Amazon Frontlines works hand-in-hand with the Ceibo Alliance to create a model of Indigenous resistance and international solidarity, rooted in the defense of Indigenous territory, cultural survival, and rainforest protection.
    Amazon Frontlines
    Amazon Frontlines
    Amazon Frontlines is an international non-profit organization based in the western Amazon. Its mission is to support the struggles of Indigenous peoples to defend their rights to land, life and cultural survival in the Amazon Rainforest. Amazon Frontlines works hand-in-hand with the Ceibo Alliance to create a model of Indigenous resistance and international solidarity, rooted in the defense of Indigenous territory, cultural survival, and rainforest protection.
Our Generous Supporters
We are grateful to our many generous partners and donors who make it possible to sustain, grow and evolve our work.
  • Federal Ministry of Germany
    Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
    Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
    Federal Ministry of Germany
  • Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria
    Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
    Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
    Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria
  • Government of Costa Rica
    Government of Costa Rica
  • Government of Panama
    Government of Panama
  • The Honnold Foundation envisions a world where marginalized communities lead the transition to renewable energy, with the resources they need to adapt and thrive. We believe in solar as a proven, environmentally sound solution to global energy poverty, and we award grants to community organizations whose projects are innovative, equity-focused, and have the potential to shift the narrative on what’s possible for energy access worldwide.
    Honnold Foundation
    Honnold Foundation
    The Honnold Foundation envisions a world where marginalized communities lead the transition to renewable energy, with the resources they need to adapt and thrive. We believe in solar as a proven, environmentally sound solution to global energy poverty, and we award grants to community organizations whose projects are innovative, equity-focused, and have the potential to shift the narrative on what’s possible for energy access worldwide.
  • ALTERNAID Foundation for People in Need is a private charitable foundation established in 2007 by the owner of ALTERNATE GmbH. he foundation is committed to supporting people in need, particularly children, young people and their families. The focus is on securing basic existential needs, health and family care as well as education, schooling and vocational training.
    Alternaid Foundation for People in Need
    Alternaid Foundation for People in Need
    ALTERNAID Foundation for People in Need is a private charitable foundation established in 2007 by the owner of ALTERNATE GmbH. he foundation is committed to supporting people in need, particularly children, young people and their families. The focus is on securing basic existential needs, health and family care as well as education, schooling and vocational training.
  • SEZ has been promoting globally responsible action since 1991. Its mission is to raise people's awareness of the fact that our local actions in Baden-Württemberg have an impact all over the world. SEZ also wants to show how everyone can do something for a fairer world. The foundation's team promotes and networks private, municipal and regional initiatives to improve and deepen partnerships and cooperation with the countries of the so-called Global South.
    Foundation for International Developement Cooperation Baden-Württemberg
    Foundation for International Developement Cooperation Baden-Württemberg
    SEZ has been promoting globally responsible action since 1991. Its mission is to raise people's awareness of the fact that our local actions in Baden-Württemberg have an impact all over the world. SEZ also wants to show how everyone can do something for a fairer world. The foundation's team promotes and networks private, municipal and regional initiatives to improve and deepen partnerships and cooperation with the countries of the so-called Global South.
  • The Rapunzel One World Organic Foundation is committed to strengthening organic agriculture, socio-cultural engagement and health promotion in Germany, Europe and worldwide. Our concern is a sustainable, liveable and healthier world in which the well-being of people, plants, animals and the environment are equally taken into account.
    Rapunzel One World Organic Foundation
    Rapunzel One World Organic Foundation
    The Rapunzel One World Organic Foundation is committed to strengthening organic agriculture, socio-cultural engagement and health promotion in Germany, Europe and worldwide. Our concern is a sustainable, liveable and healthier world in which the well-being of people, plants, animals and the environment are equally taken into account.