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A short presentation I did for the Norwich Sea Scouts on my time in Ecuador, prior to getting them to raise funds for projects in another country.
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ECUADOR – A WILDLY DIFFERENT PLACE
Kit England
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
22 years old Currently doing a Masters degree in ‘Environment,
Politics and Globalisation’ Travelled after finishing my first degree Quite adventurous – liked the idea of exploring new
places So why Ecuador?
ECUADOR IN CONTEXT
One of the smaller countries of South America
Colonised by the Spanish in 1531
Bordered by Columbia, Brazil and Peru
SOME FACTS ABOUT ECUADOR
Population 13.4 million people
Capital city is Quito Main language is Spanish Important for
conservation – plants, animals and birds Also home to GalapogosIslands Divided into 3 main
regions
GEOGRAPHY OF ECUADOR
West – Amazon region - Hot & rainy
Highlands (“La Sierra”) – Home to Andes and cloud forest
Coast (“La Costa”) – cool and dry
WHAT I WAS INVOLVED IN
Worked at ‘La Hesperia’ Biological Reserve and Research Station
Practiced Rainforest conservation, organic farming and community development.
Also learnt about some other things– making coffee, history, horseriding... The works!
FOREST CONSERVATION
Large amount of deforestation
Growing in the wild is hard!
Start as saplings in the nursery
Planted out in reforestation lines
Looked after for 3 years
ORGANIC FARMING
What is organic farming? Includes animals, as well as fruit and veg Tries to be sustainable – so that people don’t have to
rely on other people. Difficult to farm in South America
Surprisingly bad soil! Inconsistent climate – Lots of rain!
COMMUNITY PROJECT
Trying to raise funds to help buy a building for the people of the local town (‘La Esperie’)
Aim to provide childcare to enable Mothers to work Also to provide training to people in I.T. Eventually looking to become an agricultural co-
operative Sharing of resources – seeds, tractors, labour Sharing the profits of what they make
Don’t have to be in Ecuador to help – I’ve been raising funds since I left!
NOT JUST ABOUT VOLUNTEERING!
Visit wasn’t just about volunteering – a chance to travel and meet new people
Kayaked around the Amazon, visited ‘Mitad del Mundo’ (the Middle of the World), local market towns, and the Incan city of Ingapirca
MORE INFORMATION
La Hesperia website: http://www.volunteersecuador.com/
Jatun Sacha foundation: http://www.jatunsacha.org/ingles/
Any Questions?