Let NEW MASCULINTIES shine!

                                                       Forest and Sea

A project that began with a group of teenagers, in a small library in a fishing village on the northern coast of Ecuador, within time became a gathering place where conversations dealing with new masculinities, gender based violence, teenage pregnancy and other topics were presented.

A safe gathering space was needed for these conversations to be guided by professionals, adults and teachers. A place in which local and international volunteers would support this program and where they were looked up as positive role models.

Topics of interest for our teenagers such as surfing, scuba diving, marine and forest conservations had to be proposed in order to keep them away from gangs, drugs and violence that threatened their future. A place where participants could forge strong connections, friendships, and a sense of community; that is how Bosque Mar came to be.

Our young adults take this project seriously and are actively involved in the library by doing volunteer work with sports and helping children with their homework; demonstrating responsibility and a sign of maturity.

They are officially called the guardians of our ocean and forest, as they participate in various activities such as: collecting trash from the beach, getting their scuba diving license to possibly take groups out to dive in the ocean, protecting marine turtles when hatching and on their survival walk to the ocean. Frequent visits are scheduled to our dry forest, where the biologists from Fundación Ceiba organize workshops and nature walks. Workshops and visits to Universities have been organized through which will hopefully spark their interest in continuing with their college education.

And finally, the importance of learning languages is a must, English and German lessons are taught. Twice a week, groups meet for English or German lessons taught by native speakers. Our German volunteers who come to us from World Horizon and Welwärtsprogram.

Thanks to your kind heart and donations, we are able to continue with this and many other projects at Fundacion a Mano Manaba.