In the Ecuadorian Amazon, education is one of the fundamental pillars for sustainable development. Lack of access to quality education is a significant challenge. The Sacha Muskuy Foundation (@smf.org.ec) seeks to promote innovative educational programs that respect cultural diversity, encourage technical and professional training, and prepare young people in the region to face future challenges by combining traditional knowledge with scientific education.
This is the Kichwa Añangu community and their educational unit, where more than 100 students attend daily from the initial grade 1 to the third year of high school.
School Routine from Monday to Friday: Students form up at 7:30 am before entering their classrooms, which lasts until 1:00 pm. During the day, students receive a school snack directed by the teachers of the Vicente Mamallacta institution.
Developing Skills: The children at the school develop certain creative and innovative skills for their learning, which they can later apply in their professional careers and put into practice in their own communities. Not many students in the Ecuadorian Amazon have the privilege of a worthy education. However, those who have access to a school have a great opportunity to learn things that develop their intellectual capacity and motivate them to become great leaders in their own communities.
Aspiration: Their aspiration is to be an empowered girl and woman and represent as a leader of their region, creating cultural values and respect for worthy equity and opportunity for all.
Many of the children have to wake up very early. Most of them leave at 3:30 am or 4:00 am to catch the school canoe on the riverbank. This trip takes up to 45 minutes navigating the Napo River to reach the school from communities such as Sani Isla, San Roque, Nueva Providencia, and Indillama located in the province of Orellana.
HEALTH CENTER – KICHWA AÑANGU COMMUNITY Endemic diseases and deficiencies in health services are common problems in the Amazon. Poor sanitary conditions and lack of access to adequate medical care contribute to a cycle of poverty and illness. This project aims to assist social well-being by developing public health programs, prevention campaigns, and promoting access to basic medical services in both indigenous communities and rural areas.
The Sacha Muskuy Foundation seeks to manage infrastructure improvements to provide proper services for patient care in our region. This will allow our doctors to perform their duties comfortably, having the necessary supplies to meet the needs of people according to the types of diseases (yellow fever, dengue, childbirth, dentistry, general medicine, wounds, snake bites, etc.). This will make it possible to implement more specialized areas in the future, and people will have better access to health care, improving their living conditions in their communities.
It’s truly inspiring to see how the community and foundation are working together to tackle these health challenges and create a healthier future for everyone.
For the Kichwa Añangu community, it is very important to promote the preservation of biodiversity and the environment at the regional level because it is connected to a healthy and harmonious life for future generations.
The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and plays an essential role in regulating the global climate. However, it faces serious threats due to deforestation, illegal mining, agricultural expansion, and climate change. The Sacha Muskuy Foundation (@smf.org.ec), dedicated to social welfare, promotes projects that combine environmental conservation with the well-being of local communities, promoting sustainable practices that protect both the natural environment and traditional ways of life.
Today, the Kichwa community protects 21,400 hectares within the Yasuní National Park, where a great diversity of flora and fauna and its people live, becoming a sustainable model in conservation and environmental protection in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Although the challenges are great as industry grows and large-scale agriculture increases, this project seeks to promote reforestation and proper land use through environmentally friendly permaculture in communities that still face challenges in seeking a more dignified life and, above all, where their natural environment and culture are respected.
Empowering Kichwa women in the Amazon is a fundamental process to strengthen gender equality and promote sustainable development in this region. Kichwa women, like many indigenous women around the world, have historically faced a series of obstacles, including gender discrimination, poverty, lack of access to basic services, and cultural and political marginalization.
Key Approaches to Empower Kichwa Women in the Amazon:
Education and Training Promote the education of Kichwa girls and women in both traditional cultural aspects and formal studies. This includes creating inclusive educational spaces that respect their language, culture, and worldview.
Technical Skills Training Promote training programs in technical skills, such as natural resource management, agroecology, and entrepreneurship, which enable them to make informed decisions and generate income.
Territorial and Natural Rights Ensure that women have equal access to land, water, and natural resource rights, allowing them to defend their territory and the environment. Promote female leadership in biodiversity protection and sustainable forestry and agroecology projects.
Leadership and Political Participation Encourage the active participation of women in communities and social and political organizations, ensuring that their voices are heard in decision-making processes that affect their lives and those of their families. Support the development of Kichwa indigenous women leaders who can represent and advocate for women’s rights in political and community spaces.
Empowering women is crucial for the advancement of both the community and sustainable development.
Health and Well-being Improve access to adequate health services, with an intercultural focus, so that Kichwa women can receive care during pregnancy, childbirth, and other health needs. Provide education on reproductive rights and contraceptive methods, allowing women to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and lives.
Preservation and Promotion of Culture Through the Sacha Muskuy project, we empower Kichwa women in recognizing and valuing their ancestral knowledge, especially in areas such as traditional medicine, agriculture, and arts. This not only strengthens their identity but also their position in society. Promote the exchange of knowledge between generations to preserve the traditions and customs that define the Kichwa worldview while adapting to the changes of the modern world.
Economic Autonomy Support entrepreneurship projects and cooperatives led by women, such as the production of handicrafts, ecotourism, or the sale of agricultural products. These initiatives not only help women generate income but also promote local economic development. Facilitate access to financing and resources to develop their productive activities through microcredit programs or initiatives that provide economic support.
Support Networks and Solidarity Create support networks among Kichwa women and other indigenous communities to share experiences, knowledge, and resources. Alliances with feminist and human rights organizations can help amplify the demands and struggles of Kichwa women at the national and international levels. Implement campaigns and services to eradicate gender violence and provide support to victims, creating safe spaces where women can report and seek help.
