November 2023
Dear friends of AMIGOS ARBOLITO
FOOD INSECURITY
The canton of Rioverde has one of the highest poverty rates in the province of Esmeraldas and the whole of Ecuador, although it is paradoxically located in one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. The expansion of agriculture, deforestation, and mining threatens the Chocó bioregion. One of the effects that families face due to poverty is, for example, food insecurity, which is reflected in anemia, poor school performance, and malnutrition; at the same time, we are confronted with environmental and ecosystem damage. The village of San Vicente is trying to counteract these difficulties.
HECOSAV ABOUT THEIR PROJECT
"The HECOSAV group has come this far thanks to the valuable collaboration with experts, institutions, local and foreign NGOs, for which we are very grateful. It has been a slow process with difficulties, slips, and falls, from which we have learned and contributed to our experience. All this, together with the social and economic reality, has meant that the group is now smaller. Young people, in particular, are leaving in search of work. However, convinced that sustainable local production and the preservation of the environment must be promoted to ensure the integral well-being of our population, young people, and future generations, we continue to work with great enthusiasm, positivism, and the joy that characterizes us."
Helpers floated the tank across the river, from where it was transported to the garden with a canoe.
Ecological community garden
San Vicente
The San Vicente Ecological Community Garden (HECOSAV) was born out of need and scarcity but, above all, out of the residents' desire to change things for the better. A group of 20 family representatives began their work in May 2021 under the leadership of Don Ignacio Burbano, better known to all as Nacho, and set the primary goal of reducing food insecurity through agroecological production and promoting environmental protection and sustainable development. Initially, they grew indigenous legumes for their nutritional value and contribution to restoring degraded soils. Today, they grow tomatoes, radishes, peanuts, plantains, turmeric, cucumbers, peppers, maize (during the rainy season), carrots, pumpkins, and about 10 varieties of indigenous beans. They also produce eggs.
DONATION OF A WATER TANK
The group around Don Nacho rolled up their sleeves, threw themselves into the work, and created this wonderful garden.
The Fundación AMIGOS ARBOLITO supports sustainable projects and motivated communities according to the motto "Helping people to help themselves".
Thanks to donations, we could hand over an urgently needed 2500-liter water tank in September. This tank will serve as a water reservoir and form part of the irrigation system they are building. HECOSAV still needs a 4 HP water pump and more tanks. This is an urgent need, especially in the dry season, as otherwise, the water must be carried from the river on horseback or shoulders. The last plot is a good 700 meters away from the river.
Sincerely, your
AMIGOS ARBOLITO Team
