February 2018
Dear friends of the AMIGOS ARBOLITO
Three months after the start of our big and ambitious project for nature, here comes our first official newsletter.
The dream!
It all started with a dream. The idea is to give back a little bit to "Pacha Mamá" (Mother Earth), to take responsibility for nature, and promote awareness of our environment. We think about the future of our children in a beautiful world.
Where is the AMIGOS ARBOLITO project?
The first part of the project we realize on our farm, the "Quinta El Mamey" in Peñas Blancas (Rioverde) in the northwest of Ecuador, 33 km north of the city of Esmeraldas. Peñas Blancas is a small fishing village consisting of 49 families (we will be the fiftieth).
Beginning of planting
At the beginning of December, after a few months of dry season, we expected the rainy season to begin and decided to plant the first trees of the 1st stage. Since of all the trees, the guayacan amarillo needs little water, they were planted first. The 30 Guayacan amarillo were soon followed by 6 Samán, 8 Cedros, and finally 17 Chiparos, a total of 60 trees.
The rain has not started in December as expected, but in January and the trees have enjoyed it very much. We are very pleased with their development and growth. Meanwhile 135 trees of the 1st stage have been planted and the space on the farm is slowly running out. Our next big goal is therefore to acquire another 5-10 ha of land where our dream of planting at least 3500 trees can continue to grow.
Growth of a sapling between January 5, 2018 and February 15, 2018.
Tree sponsors
To date, 40 trees have already found a sponsor. Another 20 sponsorships have been promised to us and will soon appear in our list and many more will become sponsors, but do not know it yet... 😉 We would be happy if you share this newsletter with friends and family and invite them to be part of this beautiful project. Thank you again for the GREAT SUPPORT and your TRUST!
Acknowledgement
The start of the project was planned for a much later date when we settled in Ecuador. But this plan changed when Fricson Corozo (Nando's good friend from childhood) announced to give us 350 tree seedlings, of which he had already given us 135. Therefore, our special thanks go to our friend and professional advisor, Fricson Corozo Prado. We want to thank the entire team, all those who have selflessly supported us in this great project from the very beginning: Yolanda Bögli, our good friend who, has been living in Ecuador for 11 years. She coordinates on-site, take care of, controls, and photographs the trees, and has been an essential pillar in the project's development. Ricardo Bone and Eduardo Castillo for their constant commitment to everything that comes up. Joel y Josué Tenorio, for their enthusiasm and valuable collaboration. And, of course, our endless thanks go to all tree sponsors and supporters of Amigos Arbolito. Thank you for your trust, good energy, motivation, and unconditional support. Thanks also to our first tree sponsor Thaïs O., who motivated and pushed us to start the sponsorship project.
You are always welcome at Quinta El Mamey to visit, water and hug your sponsor tree!
Sincerely, your
AMIGOS ARBOLITO Team
