ECAHLI · Founding Supporters
Help 20 families reclaim their lives with respect, security and hope.
Be part of the first ECAHLI community: a self-sufficient place where families live safely, work meaningfully, grow their own food and build a future together.
The Vision
Not a temporary fix. A place to begin again.
Picture a family struggling to keep their footing: not for lack of determination or capability, but because circumstances took their security, their home or their opportunity.
ECAHLI, the Eco-Community Alternative Housing Lifestyle Initiative, weaves housing, enterprise, farming, learning, wellness and clean energy into one connected ecosystem. Your support gives 20 families land, tools, training, safe shelter, nourishing food and a community that believes in their potential.
“We are not asking you to help us build structures. We are asking you to help us build tomorrow.”
Where Your Donation Goes
Every gift turns empty land into a living community.
Contributions go to the practical building blocks of the first 20-family community.
Land & Pre-development
Planning, permits, site preparation and securing the land where families plant roots.
Homes & Shared Spaces
Safe, dignified homes and welcoming community buildings from durable, low-impact materials.
Seeds, Trees & Livestock
Organic food systems that build lasting food security for generations.
Water & Clean Energy
Solar, rainwater harvesting, workshops, storage and the systems that hold a community together.
Transport & Equipment
Delivering materials, tools and resources to where they matter most.
School & Learning
Education, skills training and stability so children grow with confidence.
Meet the Founder
Who is Petrus Van Der Merwe?
Founder of ECAHLI · Author · Strategic Systems Advisor · Single father
I have dedicated my life to bringing humanity sustainable change that becomes the foundation for generations to come. I am passionate about people, and about giving the next generation a dignified, fresh start in life, with equality, solidarity and unity at the core of everything we build.
I am here to wake people up to the possibilities of what could be, and to show how we can escape broken systems.
I am a single father, working for humanity and for the divine creator of all life. I am empathic and non-judgemental, with an analytical mind. That combination lets me listen to people with compassion and still design systems that work in the real world.
Through my work and on social media, my purpose is to empower, uplift and encourage people all over the world. Follow the journey as it happens:
Why Support and Get Involved
Why I am the right person to carry this work.
A life given to this mission
This is not a side project. My humanitarian efforts and my willingness to help others come from a lifetime commitment to lasting change, not quick fixes.
A world view built by travel
I have travelled the world and work with countries, organisations and institutions across many regions. That brings diversity, perspective and resilience to every decision.
Compassion with analysis
I care deeply about people and I plan carefully. Every phase, risk and budget line is examined openly so your support is treated as a responsibility.
Values at the core
Equality, solidarity and unity are not slogans here. They shape who joins, how decisions are made and how each community is run.
From the first 20 families to a global movement
ECAHLI community nodes are planned in Kenya, Brazil and Spain, starting mid 2027 to 2028. Your support now helps lay the foundation that makes each of them possible.
- KenyaPlanned ECAHLI node
- BrazilPlanned ECAHLI node
- SpainPlanned ECAHLI node
Every node is designed to be resilient to whatever the world throws at it: market shocks, changes of government and shifting economies. Local food, renewable energy, local industry and trained community teams mean each community can keep standing on its own.
Founding Supporter Tiers
Choose how you help build the beginning.
Every tier includes all rewards from the tiers before it. Whatever you give, you become part of the founding story.
Seed of Hope
- Personal thank-you email from the ECAHLI team
- Your name on the digital “Founding Supporters” wall
- Campaign updates on how your gift builds the first community
Community Builder
- All previous rewards
- Printable ECAHLI Founding Supporter certificate
- Early access to project photos, plans and milestone updates
Guardian of Families
- All previous rewards
- Your name in the community’s digital Founders Book
- Behind-the-scenes video of land selection and development
Tree of Life Sponsor
- All previous rewards
- A tree planted in your honor or in memory of someone you choose
- Photo and GPS-style location of your tree once planted
- Invitation to a private online founder briefing
Pillar of the Community
- All previous rewards
- Name on the Founders Recognition Wall
- Live virtual Q&A with the founder
- Early invitation to visit the site once development begins
Founding Circle Member
- All previous rewards
- Recognition as one of the early visionaries behind ECAHLI
- Private virtual tour of the site and development plans
- Annual Founders Gathering, in person or online
- Priority consideration for future partnerships, residencies or business opportunities
Legacy Builder
- All previous rewards
- Named legacy recognition: a home element, garden bed, water system, workshop feature or community space
- Personalized impact report
- Exclusive small-group site visit at a major milestone
The Flagship Experiences
ECAHLI Pioneer
On-Site Founding Experience
- All Legacy Builder rewards
- Join the founder on site for an exclusive Pioneer visit
- Guided walk through the land, plans, agricultural zones and future community areas
- Founding ceremony, tree planting or cornerstone event, subject to project stage
- Professional photo and video record of your visit
- Private dinner with the founder and core team, where permitted
- Name permanently recognized as an ECAHLI Pioneer
Travel, accommodation, visas, insurance and personal expenses are not included unless stated. Dates depend on milestones, weather, permits and safety.
Become a PioneerLatin America Land Scout: Founding Expedition Partner
Some people donate to a vision. A few help choose where that vision will take root.
Join me on an exclusive exploration through Latin America as we search for the land, climate, water and community conditions needed for the next ECAHLI sustainable green economic ecosystem. This is not a tourist trip. This is a founding mission.
You will walk potential land, take part in real conversations about water, soil, access, climate and off-grid living, and help identify places where families may one day find safety, dignity, purpose and a fresh start. Includes all Pioneer rewards, recognition as a Founding Expedition Partner, priority updates and private briefings, and a voice in where future communities could grow.
Subject to scheduling, travel restrictions, safety assessments, local regulations and final dates. Donor covers flights, accommodation, visas, insurance, meals and personal costs unless stated otherwise. Places are limited.
Join the ExpeditionMoments Along the Journey
Real people. Real progress.
A look behind the scenes as ECAHLI moves from vision to reality. Tap any image to enlarge.
Built to Last
Sustainability in every decision.
Reused and reclaimed materials, low-toxicity finishes, local sourcing, solar power, rainwater harvesting, composting and regenerative agriculture. We build things that endure, produce value and can be maintained by the community itself.
Designed to generate value
Land, homes, seeds, trees, tools and workshops become food, income and a growing asset base.
Maintained by residents
Through training and shared responsibility, families own and care for their own future.
A model that can grow
We document what works so the first community becomes a repeatable foundation for more.
Honest Challenges
Risks, and how we will manage them.
This project will not be perfect from day one. It will be built with honesty, and we treat every donation as a responsibility.
Land, permits and approvals
Risk: securing land and permits can take longer or cost more. Our plan: careful due diligence, local legal and technical professionals, phased use of early funds for verified essentials only, and updates if timelines change.
Construction and infrastructure costs
Risk: inflation, delays or site surprises. Our plan: phased construction, essential infrastructure first, multiple quotes, bulk buying, a contingency budget and durable local materials.
Weather and environment
Risk: rain, drought, heat or poor soil. Our plan: assess land and climate first, design for local conditions, use water-saving and soil-regenerating practices and diversify crops.
Funding gaps
Risk: not reaching the full target. Our plan: prioritise land security, essential infrastructure, initial housing, water and food production, then seek further funding, partners and grants as each phase stabilises.
Community integration and governance
Risk: bringing 20 families together needs clear expectations. Our plan: clear agreements, roles and decision-making from the start, transparent selection and resident participation.
Skills, training and long-term sustainability
Risk: limited experience, and dependence on outside funding. Our plan: practical training and mentorship, plus farming, workshops, energy and local enterprise designed to reduce reliance on donations over time.
Help us give them a future.
Whether your gift is modest or generous, you become a founding supporter of a community rooted in dignity, connection, sustainability and genuine hope.
Donate TodayQuestions? petrus@petrusvdmerwe.com · WhatsApp +595 981 093 123 · Learn more about ECAHLI