ACTIVITIES FOR ELDERLY IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON

Education and training are hallmarks of the work of the Yachana Foundation. This includes everything from working with children to retired people. Our operation is spread over 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) so we need various people working in the many different activities. An interesting idea has been proposed to us that we are accepting for Yachana to be the home of the association of park guards of Ecuador. This association of park guards has around 300 members; and growing. We have already had our first meeting here and are planning the next ones. Different training sessions will concentrate on different subjects so the guards can chose which courses they want to take. The guards are the ones who make your experience when visiting a park enjoyable. They have to be multifaceted, able to take care of virtually any problem since, by the very nature of their work, they are in remote areas where many services are not available. Besides dealing with the public, which is tourism, they also need to know about plumbing, welding, carpentry, trail maintenance, etc. Since Yachana is within the Sumaco Man and Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO designation, and we have extensive workshops, 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of rainforest and a major tourism program. We will be able to provide training in all of these fields. Your continued support is what allows us to develop these kinds of programs which are so vital for conservation and all age groups visiting parks. Thank you. Love, Douglas