Ecotrackers- Corredor de etno-biodiversidad Galapagos-Sangay-Cutucú al Río Amazonas

Este es un blog para registrar las experiencias de los voluntarios de Ecotrackers, en la construccion del CORREDOR DE BIODIVERSIDAD MAS IMPORTANTE DEL MUNDO de Galápagos al Río Amazonas por el Río Morona. Que empezó en el año 2002. (This blog is for registering the experiences of Ecotrackers volunteers, with regards to the construction of the MOST IMPORTANT CORRIDOR OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE WORLD- from the Galapagos to the Amazon River through Rio Morona, which began in the year 2002.)

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Rafael Alvarez un voluntario español para ayudar y entender el desarrollo en el Río Morona

Hoja de contacto comunitario – Fundación Ecotrackers E.mail: .ecotrackers@gmail.com

COMUNIDAD

CUENCA DEL RIO MORONA VOLUNTARIOS No. 7

Director Local

Orlando Montufar

telefono

telf. 088639456

Dirección

San José de Morona. Tomar un bus en Macas a Santiago de Mendes el día 3 de Abril, y alli te encotraras con Orlando, Celine y Emilie

Nombre del voluntario

Rafael Alvarez

País

Espala

Número de contrato


Edad

29

Estudios

Administración

Nivel de español

Excelenete cumpleaños 27 de Oct

E.mail del voluntario

raespejo@hotmail.com

Pago en Ecotrackers

Por Registración: Por No. de días:23=46 Total: 40 + registración

Fecha del trabajo

4 Abril al 27 de Abril 2007

PLAN DE ACTIVIDADES Y RESULTADOS ESPERADOS

ANTECEDENTES: Ecotracker se encuentra apoyando las iniciativas de Orlando Montufar que incluyen el fortalecimiento Ecomorona, la enseñaza de ingles, un programa de reforestacion y repoblación de animales, y la apertura de la ruta al Amazonas por el Morona.

Al momento se ha logrado iniciar un programa de capacitaón de lideres, de enseñanza de ingles para protección de la selva y el primer viaje de voluntarios al Río Amazonas realizado del 1 al 9 de marzo. Está planificado un segundo viaje con la finalidad de desarrollar mas información sobre posibilidades de turismo inteligente en la cuenca del Morona del 19 al 27 de Abril 2007

ACTIVIDAD1.- Dar clases de ingles a los niños de deportes e ingles

ACTIVIDAD 2.- Explorar la naturaleza y la cuenca del Amazonas hasta el marañón.

ACTIVIDAD3.- Recopilar formación sobre lo que fue el desarrollo en la zona

RESULTADOS Evaluación de los procesos de desarrollo, las alternativas ante las amenazas

Lugar de publicación

http://corredordebiodiversidad.blogspot.com/

Pago a la comunidad

Valor por comida, acomodación y guía: $8x 15 días= $120

Valor del viaje al amazonas y comida por 8 días $144

264

Persona que recibe el $

Nombre: Orlando Montufar firma:

CONTACTOS PRELIMINARES

27 de Marzo

PRECAUCIONES

Observaciones: llevar toldo, botas de agua, linterna platos y cubiertos, vacunas

Tabletas de malaria




En emergencia

Telfs:085561622/ 02-2550208/02-2544074 (night)/098741081(JC)

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Viaggio in barca da Puerto Morona (Ecuador) a San Lorenzo (Perù).
Racconto tratto dal diario di bordo.. ecco i miei scritti. LETTURA VIETATA AI PERBENISTI!!

- "Jacopo Simonetto
Sono qui sul Rio Morona con buoni amici, ufficialmente per uno studio sulle piante medicinali del luogo. In verità è un'opportunità di conoscere dal vivo quello che finora è stato visto da me solo in Tv o sui libri. Qui su una barca, dall'altra parte del mondo, appena entrati in territorio peruviano. Mi sento vivo e sono felice..."

Era solo il secondo giorno di viaggio, seduto sul bordo della barca mi arriva tra le mani il diario di bordo, capitolo "Historias de la primera noche". La notte avevamo dormito in una palafitta tradizionale di un villaggio lungo il Rio Morona. Sono ormai talmente abituato a dormire per terra e dovunque che un letto mi sembra un lusso da re.. non ci si può abituare altrettanto facilmente ad altri inconvenienti, e così scrissi questo sfogo:

- "Jacopo 2 marzo 2007
Mi son svegliato in piena notte in preda al prurito. Avevo il repellente e dormivo sotto la zanzariera. Il braccio è cmq tutto un bubbone e mi pongo del voltaren per alleviare il prurito. Se ho sognato qualcosa sicuramente erano insetti, tanti piccoli acari che mi ciucciavano il sangue, come piccoli vampiri o come certe donne. Con un po' di mentolo stamattina son riuscito a migliorare la situazione, ma un centinaio di punture sono cmq un bel problema. Se si estingueranno gli animali dell'Amazzonia, i primi spero siano mosquitos e company! Porca Miseria!!!"

Sì lo so, gli acari non sono insetti, ma aracnidi.. ma queste sono solo classificazioni umane, la foresta non distingue.. siamo tutti uguali, un giorno cacciatori, un'altro cacciati..

Altro sfogo.. Se mai un giorno andrete in America Latina e siete amanti della buona musica, quella moderna stile Londra e Berlino, preparatevi.. nei bus la notte devi sempre chiedere di spegnere la radio per poter dormire perchè si sente solo musica orrenda, in molte comunità indigene poi.. il loro mito è Bayron Caicedo, El Duro de l'Ecuador! Un tipo che canta canzoni assurde, tutte con lo stesso ritmo, e con balli improbabili! Poi il tema principale è sempre l'amore, nelle forme più svariate.. amori non corrisposti, tradimenti, amori impossibili, amori che finiscono, amori illeggittimi, amori di qua e di là e bla bla bla.. alcune canzoni sembrano quelle orrende napoletane che qualche mio camerata metteva allo stereo la domenica mattina in caserma.. non mi sono mai andate giù.. All'ennesimo racconto sdolcinevole, e dopo che qualcuno mi chiese di intitolare un capitolo del diario di bordo "L'Amor Por Ti", non ci ho più visto.. ecchecazzo, siamo nella foresta Amazzonica, mica ad un reality di Maria de Filippi, il marito di Costanzo per intenderci.. E così scrissi:

- "Jacopo:
L'amore è una sega mentale, alcuni lo confondono con l'affetto, ma insomma, basta con questa rottura di coglioni! Vivete la vita e fottetevi di questi stupidi nomi che diamo ai sentimenti!"

La seconda notte dormiamo a Shorayacocha, un villaggio diverso dal precedente.. mentre nell'altro tutti si nascosero al nostro arrivo (a momenti la figlia del capovillaggio ha paura di mangiarsi il Fansidar che le regalo.. cavolo, hai la malaria da un mese, e magnate sta pastiglia!), qui tutti ci accolgono curiosissimi.. un'esperienza stranissima! Guardano tutto quello che facciamo, siamo i primi europei per molti di loro, a parte i missionari evangelisti svizzeri. La notte dormiamo in una scuola, unica costruzione cementifera, inutilizzata, con alcuni banchi. Io Giorgio e Andreas (el Chico Norvuego) uniamo un 3 banchi, appendiamo la zanzariera, ed ecco pronto un confortevole letto grande la metà di noi e duro come piace alla nostra schiena. La notte escono vampiri dai pannelli in similcartongesso del soffitto, cadono a terra e corrono veloci come topi verso le pareti per poterso librare in volo.. mica ciucceranno il sangue a quelli che dormono a terra senza protezioni? Speriamo di no per loro.. cmq la notte rimane agitata per altri motivi. Avevo scritto questa parte in lingua veneta, giusto perchè in barca mi annoiavo un po', ho tradotto sennò chi ci capisce niente?

- "Jacopo: arrivati ad un villaggio di indios, tutti ci scrutano come i turisti con gli animali dello zoo. Lascerò ad altri l'onore di raccontare le belle cose del villaggio, io vi racconterò solo delle cose della notte. Mentre qualcuno sogna le belle indigene Shoraya, altri si ritrovano a dormire su un tavolo con la testa sbattuta al muro, tra Giorgio e Andreas. Una tipa ubriaca di drago, che i militari peruviani hanno portato per il viaggio, incomincia a fare dei gemiti un poco strani e noialtri cominciamo a ridere come vitelli. Alchè dei tori urlano così: Muuuuuuuììììììhh!! E noi giù a ridere ancora più forte, non riusciamo a fermarci.. lei geme, e i tori urlano! La scena si ripete varie volte.. Ride anche Andreas che all'inizio aveva protestato dicendo: "Italianos molestos".. La tipa pian piano si addormenta, il divertimento finisce e finalmente riusciamo ad addormentarci."

La foresta amazzonica è fantastica, un vero laboratorio di vita sotto tutte le forme. Vedere indios semiselvatici che mettono quel poco di spazzatura che producono tutta nella stesso posto per non sporcare la loro casa, e poi arrivare in luoghi come San Lorenzo, dove i Mestizos buttano tutti i rifiuti di una cittadina direttamente nel fiume, vedere alcuni "ecoturisti" in barca con noi lanciare la plastica nel fiume e al nostro rimprovero sentirsi rispondere che tanto tutto poi viene sepellito dal fango (poi i delfini rosa crepano perchè si strozzano con i sacchetti di plastica, ma cosa vuoi che sia, tanto sono solo delfini protetti internazionalmente..), a questo punto volano gli insulti e mi rendo conto di come sia l'ignoranza che ha distrutto anche la nostra bella Europa, di come sia l'ignoranza che permette che alcuni "Italiani" si adattino a vivere con montagne di spazzatura fuori casa senza prenderla e portarla davanti la casa della Jarvolino o di Bassolino.. ma cosa volete farci, è sempre un dovere degli altri tenere pulito, un dovere di CHI?? Buddha disse 2500 anni fa che il dolore sotto tutte le forme è frutto dell'ignoranza, in millenni l'uomo non è stato capace di fare tesoro di questo insegnamento.. sa solo piangere quando una frana gli cade addosso perchè prima ha tagliato tutti gli alberi, o perchè non ha più l'acqua potabile a forza di buttare i detersivi nei fiumi..

- "Jacopo 6 marzo 2007.
1) Qui sono onti! (sporchi). La foresta amazzonica ed il Rio Amazonas sono inquinati già dalla partenza, tutti buttano la spazzatura in acqua. In definitiva si inculino gli ecoturisti e i mestizos e tutti gli altri coglioni a cui piace un mondo sporco e malato. Del resto è molto semplice fare la raccolta o evitare di inquinare, poi qui non hanno un cazzo da fare e potrebbero benissimo impiegare un po' del loro tempo per fare pulizia, sistemare etc.. Tutto questo accade per colpa dell'ignoranza, per cui la gente che vive qui la si può definire ignorante all'n-esima potenza, non me ne vogliano male i perbenisti. A militare, a naja, l'ignoranza di norme scritte o sottintese non era una scusante, ma un'aggravante. Così dovrebbe essere sempre.
2) Ieri con Max siamo andati fino ad un villaggio di mestizos di nome Antenna 4, e mi son dovuto bere una coppa intera della bevanda che più odio: la Ciccia. (- in realtà ora mi sono abituato e se fatta bene non è niente male-) Che cesso di roba! Me ne sono andato un po' ubriaco e con la voglia di strozzare Max che a momenti mi costringeva a berne un'altra. Ora stiamo tornando verso Puerto Morona. In barca una scimmia, un koati, e a momenti il cucciolo di una lontra gigante dell'amazzonia. Per fortuna se ne è rimasta al fiume a nuotare."


Questa parte l'ho scritta in castigliano, traduco per ovvi motivi:

- "Jacopo 7/03/2007.
Sta qui con me una ragazza molto bella, intelligente e simpatica, che si chiama Lorenza. E' una sorta di orsetto, un cuchucho, o koati. E' più più intelligente delle scimmiette. Max è pazzo, parla molto e cucina come un tedesco. Cavolo capuccio con pomodoro e una sardina, spaghetti con pescato e.. limone!! Ieri vidi un delfino rosato, non speravo più di vederlo. Ora la barca sta tutta sporca di fango."

Leggere solo il mio diario di bordo, scritto tra un tuffo nel fiume e un'acquazzone tropicale, non dà molto l'idea di come fosse veramente la spedizione. Leggete anche le storie degli altri membri, sono scritte in spagnolo, anche se non lo conoscete si capisce lo stesso, più o meno.. Arriviamo al termine del viaggio.. anche se i miei scritti sono stati abbastanza critici, sappiate che navigare questo fiume e dormire nelle comunità indigene è un'esperienza impagabile! Il penultimo capitolo del diario di bordo consisteva nello scrivere consigli sui miglioramenti da apportare per le future spedizioni, che tralascio di scrivere. Trascrivo solo l'ultimo capitolo, dal titolo: "Que fue lo mas interesante?"
Lascerò questa parte nella versione originale in castigliano.

- "Jacopo:
a) Las chicas Shoraya
b) los maricones companero como Mario Franklin Lucio Aparicio
c) los otros companeros no maricones
d) nadar en el Rio
e) la chicha, la bevanda mas fea de mi vida despuès ayahuasca
f) aber escubierto que Maximiliano es completamente loco y irrecuperabile
g) San Lorenzo, la ciudad para nasconderse de la polizia italiana
h) el Capitàn, Jackie Chan, Victor (Sandokan), el Motorista otro Maximiliano

Jacopo Simonetto"

Le foto del viaggio in Ecuador e lungo il Rio Morona sono sul mio sito: www.jacopo13.blogspot.com
Ciao Italiani, se viaggiate in Ecuador contattatemi sull'indirizzo che c'è al mio sito, vi posso dare tante dritte e farvi risparmiare anche un po' di dinero.. Ciao!!!

Two months with Ecotrackers on the river Morona

San José:
My project took place mostly in the village San José de Morona in the region Morona-Santiago. It was founded very far from everything, but close to the border as a political manifestation in the more than 50 year long war between Ecuador and Peru. The busride from Macas to San José is 150km and takes approximately 14 hours(says something about the quality of the road). There is no television, the radio is very noisy, the telephone of the city works sometimes on shorter distances. The average temperature is 35 degrees, and the ground is often muddy.



My project:
My project was to help a local activist called Orlando Montufar with vitalising the zone surrounding the peruvian-ecuadorian border on the river Morona. This river is Ecuador´s most direct way to the big rivers of Peru, the Amazon and Brazil. My work consisted of a lot of different things – all in all I was helping Orlando in whatever he was doing in order to develop the zone in a sustainable way, so people can have alternatives to cutting down trees, fishing, hunting and cattle (which all damage the rainforest). My work was very varied and I had a lot of responsibility.

The work:
I helped prepare the Ecotrackers house in the village San José de Morona for volunteers.
We made a wall to separate the bigger of the rooms into two dormitories, and started building furniture: 4 chairs, 3 tables. Furthermore we planned and bought wood for beds. There is still a lot of work to be done on the house to make it ready to receive volunteers. This includes: Building the beds, building a bathroom and a shower in the garden (we cannot keep on using the neighbour´s) and building a terrace behind the house. And maybe a few more chairs.

I coordinated four short-term volunteers for a week (only one spoke spanish) and helped them teach English in San José and a nearby village. Together we made an evaluation on the perspectives that English teaching has in the area. My four volunteers and I built a shelter in the middle of the rainforest on the bank of the river Morona, to prepare the construction of the first house of a ecological Ecuadorian-Peruvian village located on the border, which in the future is supposed to be a base of ecotourism, trade and binational integration on the river. The shelter we built is very basic. It has a floor made of planks, 1m above the ground, roughly 3x4m, and a construction to hold a big plastic sheet as a roof, in a height suitable for mosquitonets.

We also helped prepare a six-day promotion journey to San Lorenzo(the first Peruvian city downriver) in which we also went. This journey will from now on (if all goes well) a monthly event. The preparations were among other things building a roof for the canoa of a big plastic sheet, the night before take-off.

The community of San José:
San José is a colonist village of mostly cattle breeders very close to the border. People were friendly and welcoming. The men work from morning to evening in their farms a bit outside the village, and the place were a bit boring in the afternoon, when there was nothing to do. There were no young people – almost everybody between 18 and 25 had gone to Macas to study. I had only little contact with indigenous communities, only when I was visiting communities with Orlando. People are still sceptic about the project, but some are passionate, and the organisation Ecomorona seems to be working pretty well.

What I got out of it:
It was very fascinating to participate in a project, starting almost from scratch. Watching it grow, bit by bit, even designing and building the chairs for the arriving volunteers. I got to see a Peruvian army base from the inside, and visited indigenous villages as they are, with Manchester United T-shirts. It was a really very non-touristy under-the-skin experience. I learned a lot of things about working like that in a country like this and about organising things. Also it was a great experience to see the Peruvian river villages and especially San Lorenzo (50000 inhabitants, no road access, no cars, no tourists, but apart from that everything you would expect from a city of this size). In fact so great that the next thing I will do is travel to Brazil on these rivers. Other than that, I got to sleep in very savage rainforest a few times which was a great experience.

The future of the project:
I believe that the Morona river has a great potential for both tourism and trade, and with more volunteers coming it will work. There is great interest among the indigenous villages on the river for tourism, and as far as I can see it will work, as long as it receives constant support from volunteers.

All in all evaluation:
The organisation of my project was rather chaotic, also because I was the very first volunteer in the project, in its very initial phase. I am sure that future volunteers will meet the organisation with a clearer idea, and better planning(but remember: we are in Ecuador). Even though, be prepared that the project may differ from the idea you have when you leave Quito. I had a very good experience, for it is a good project, my coordinator was good and I was able to work effectively, which was ultimately what I wanted. For those who want traditional Indian dresses, shamanism and ayahuasca, birdwatching and medical herbs, this is not the project. For those who want and authentic experience of a community close to standing still, a knowledge of the social, economic and political problems that sustainable development confronts in this region and the experience of being part of the real battle (which is neither simple nor romantic), this is indeed the project.

Bjarke Frydendal, Denmark


Resumé paa dansk:
Jeg var to maaneder i og omkring San José de Morona, en kvaegavlerlandsby i regionen Morona-Santiago klistret op ad graensen til Peru. Projektets overordnede maal er at udvikle omraadet oekonomisk paa en baeredygtig maade, skabe alternativer til kvaegavl, skovhugst og jagt paa vilde dyr. Projektet er paa et meget tidligt stadie. Det jeg lavede var, at jeg forberedte et hus til fremtidige frivillige, koordinerede og hjalp fire frivillige med at undervise i engelsk paa skolerne, byggede et shelter med dem og tog med dem paa en seksdages promotion-rejse til Peru. Det var en spaendende oplevelse, at starte helt fra bunden med et projekt som dette; det var ret kaotisk og meget udfordrende. Men alt i alt en god oplevelse, en oplevelse af at have arbejdet effektivt for en god sag og at have moedt een anden kultur helt taet paa.


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Click here to enter the Ecotrackers Network

Av. Amazonas N21-217 y Roca

Telf. 2564840/2550208 Quito,

www. ecotrackers.com

R. C. U. 17918186870001

e-mail: ecotrackers@gmail.com

End of Volunteer Placement Report. (Report by President of Ecotrackers: Maximiliano Moreno 27/03/07)

Name of Volunteer: Michael Phelps

Michael undertook a volunteer placement with Eco-trackers in February 07. Having previous teaching experience in South Africa and Cambodia, he expressed a preference to teach English in a rural location in the Amazon Basin.

Michael and his fiance, Lisa, started their own project in San Jose, named 'Teaching English to protect the Amazon jungle'. They taught English at three different schools in the area. Each class varied in age from 6 years to 20 years old, which shows that Michael has a flexible approach to the work, and adapts easily to the children's needs according to their varied ability.

Michael is a highly motivated individual, which was shown during a weekend spent camping in the Amazon Jungle, at a location where there are plans underway to accommodate future volunteers. He was one of 5 volunteers which had to build a shelter for camping, and he motivated the group to get the work done.

He also shows a keen interest in ecotourism and the environment, and was involved with the reforestation of the banks of the River Morona, which have been destroyed due to logging in the past.

During Michael's placement in San Jose, he was invited to go on a 6 day canoe expedition, from Ecuador to Peru, which was the first of it's kind in history. He assisted the crew with the final preparations of the canoe, which were necessary before departure. His team working skills, and physical ability was very much appreciated by the organisers of the expedition.

Overall, Michael has been an asset to Eco trackers. He has shown that he is a motivated individual, and takes on new tasks with a positive approach. Michael can teach English as a foreign language very proficiently. He also developed a good relationship with the children at the schools and community of San Jose, evidenced by the increasing attendance of the children in the classes he taught.

Michael returned to Quito after his placement and canoe expedition, and promptly wrote up a report on his experiences, and more importantly, an evaluation of the current standard of English language, and teaching levels at all three schools. Michael was one of the first volunteers to be placed in San Jose, and his report will be used as a precedent for future volunteers who will continue his work.

Michael's report can be found on the Eco-trackers website.


Maximiliano Moreno

Presidente de Ecotrackers

Michael & Lisa in Ecuador




Teaching English to Protect the Amazon Jungle

Introduction
Our background (Michael and Lisa)
We arrived in Quito in February 2007 to spend the final two months of our gap year travel. We intended to spend one of these months volunteering, and had not pre-arranged any volunteer work until we arrived. There are numerous volunteer options in Ecuador, and after two days of making enquiries to various volunteer organisations, we chose to arrange our placement with Ecotrackers. Having taught English to children in South Africa and Cambodia during our gap year we expressed our preference to teach English at schools in a rural location in the Amazon Basin
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The project



The project
We were assigned a specific project titled ‘Teaching English to Protect the Amazon Jungle’. The main objective being to teach children specific vocabulary relating to the Amazon Jungle e.g names of plant, animal and insect species that live in the Amazon Basin. By doing so, the children would benefit in the future if they were to become bilingual tourist guides in the area.
In addition to teaching English, weekends, would be spent on the Ecuador and Peru border, where there are plans to build a new Volunteer lodge with facilities, and a shop. This area will be used to accommodate future volunteers.
Also, there would be opportunities for us to be involved in the re-forestation of the sand banks on the Morona River, caused by subscidence due to logging in the area.

Location and getting there
The location options were discussed, and it was decided that we go to San Jose, a small town near the Peruvian border.
Our journey involved taking the 18.30 hrs bus from Quito’s main bus terminal to Macas. This journey can take between 9 and 11 hours. We chose to spend one night in Macas before continuing to San Jose. Macas is a small town with shops and restaurants, and accommodation options. The next morning we left Macas at 6.45 hrs, and travelled by bus to San Jose. This journey can take from 8 to 12 hours, on a very slow and bumpy road. It is recommended that you buy snacks and water in Macas, as there are no eating options on the way.

San Jose




San Jose
The town of San Jose is a small community of a few hundred people. It consists of mainly colonials, and some indigenous Indians. The people are friendly and made us feel very welcome. The main employment activity is agricultural i.e cattle farming, however it is hoped that this will change to fish farming, to prevent further deforestation caused by land clearing for cattle farming.
At San Jose, nobody speaks English, so a good understanding of Spanish is recommended.

Accommodation and facilities
There are a few shops in the town which sell soft drinks, beer, and basic provisions, although choice is minimal. Accommodation is either in the family home of Dona Luber, who prepares all meals, or in the building situated next door (depending on the number of volunteers). There is an outside cold water shower and toilet, which is shared with the family, but lacks privacy. However, there is another toilet and shower at a neighbour’s house which may be used, and is more private. There is no laundrette, so clothes must be washed by hand. Bedrooms are basic, but adequate. Three meals are served each day, usually consisting of rice, meat, fish or egg, and a vegetable.
There is no electricity between the hours of 1pm and 5pm and 10pm and 5am. There is no television or mobile phone signal. There is one telephone in the town, but it is unreliable and expensive. If you like comforts and luxuries, this may not be a suitable project location for some.


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Evaluation of the status of english teaching




Evaluation of the status of english teaching
in the area of Morona
The work we started was teaching basic English to children in San Jose and La Union. We feel that it is really important that future volunteers continue the work, so this document contains information for future volunteers and should be updated every time somebody leaves.
La Union
Situation: The children know very little english. They have never had an english teacher and they don´t have course books. They seem to have some vocabulary in their notebooks, because the director of the school has been teaching them some words, though he does not speak english. They are familiar with a few greetings and so on, but have no understanding of grammar. Depending on the day there are approximately 40 pupils from 9-12 years old. It is hard to maintain consistency as some pupils do not attend every day.
What we have done: We have been teaching them (a revision of these should be sufficient):
Hello
What is your name
My name is
How are you
I am fine
Where are you from
I am from
Also we have been teaching the ”head and shoulders, knees and toes” song, and body parts. They may remember some of it. Some have done colours.
Recommendations:
–Asking them to repeat loudly, e.g new vocabulary and greetings. This is an effective way to help them remember, and practice pronounciation.
–Playing games and singing songs are effective ways of getting all to participate, as some are very shy.
–There is a notebook for the school, that will be handed with comments from earlier volunteers. Write what you do. If we have to continue without books this is very important.
The voluntary afternoon kids from the San José primary school
Situation: They come voluntarily and are quite enthusiastic. They have notebooks with some words from the school, but they are basically starting from scratch. Being out of the school environment (we have been doing the classes on Doña Nube´s terrace) makes the teaching environment more relaxed and informal, but there are no facilities (e. g. blackboard), and naturally there are many kids that don´t attend.
What we have done: We have been teaching them (a revision of these should be sufficient):
Hello
What is your name
My name is
How are you
I am fine
Where are you from
I am from
Also we have been teaching the ”head and shoulders, knees and toes” song, and a few other body parts.
26/2 We taught them various kinds of animals, and asked them to draw them, which they enjoyed very much. We tried the ”Old McDonell had a farm”-song, but it was a bit difficult for them.




Recommendations:
–Drawings, songs, and games seems to motivate the children easily.
The secondary school (el colegio) of San José
Situation: They are taught english and have english text books, but they are all below the level of their book. Their theoretic understanding is better than their pronounciation and conversation is very basic. The older pupils are keen to learn and seem to enjoy being taught english by volunteers. They are enthusiastic and the environment is pleasant.
What we have done: We divided into 3 groups. Michael and Lisa spent all their time with 6th grade
(17 years +), doing conversation, greetings and a few other things like the verb ”to be”. They are a pleasure to work with, and have adjectives in their notebooks. Tom and Bjarke did pronounciation with different classes; difficult sounds and tongue twisters(difficult sounds: -me, -ve, -m, -sk, th, t, r). Helen used the children's english text book, and based activities (easier than those of the book) on this: e. g. christmas, spare time activities etc.



Recommendations:


General recommendations
–A good idea would be to watch a lesson with the english teachers to get an idea of the level and the teaching methods.
–Volunteers should always keep a record of what they have taught, so that future volunteers will have a reference.



Camping weekend in the Jungle










Camping weekend in the Jungle

Camping weekend in the Jungle






Camping weekend in the Jungle
As already mentioned, we had the opportunity to spend the weekend in the jungle, where it is hoped that future volunteers will be accommodated. The Director of the project also hopes to build a new village here, with facilities, internet access, and shops.
The area is located along side the Morona River, a few metres away from the Ecuador and Peru border. Access to the area is by canoe, which takes approx. 45 minutes. The project is at a very early stage – and the building work, to date, has not yet started. There is no toilet facilities or accommodation here at present. It is possible that future volunteers will be involved in the building and development of these.
All food and supplies were purchased for the weekend before leaving San Jose. On arrival at the site, we had to build a shelter for camping. The shelter was built from wooden planks, 1 metre off the ground, and surrounding trees were conveniently used to support the plastic canopy placed above the shelter for rain protection.
We brought mosquito nets, which are essential. Long sleeved tops, long trousers and socks are recommended, and the use plenty of insect repellent all helped to keep the mosquitos away to some degree.
Cooking was done on the fire, which we kept alight for the duration of our stay (the smoke from the fire also helps to keep mosquitos away). Washing and bathing were done in the river.
Reforestation of the river bank was also undertaken, by planting young shrubs and trees.
Before we returned to San Jose, we were taken by our project director (Orlando) by canoe across the Peruvian border to Suan Juan Indian village. We had to stop on the way at a Peruvian Military check point to get permission to cross the border. We were met by the Commandant of the military base, who also joined us with his wife, on our visit to San Juan village.
Overall, it was a rough and ready camping experience but was very enjoyable. It was great to sleep in the jungle with only the noise of the insects, birds and animals to listen to.
The weekend had many highlights, one being the crossing of the Peruvian border, (without a passport), and to visit a Peruvian military base. The Commandant and his wife were very welcoming and friendly, and it was a pleasure to meet them. The visit to the village of Suan Juan was also a special experience. It is hoped that future volunteers will be able to teach English at the village school.



Expediton to Peru












Expedition to Peru
During the time of our placement in San Jose, there was an undergoing project, by the same director, which involved an expedition by canoe from Ecuador to Peru.
The main objective of the project was to promote the potential for ecotourism in the area and to promote the freedom for Ecuadorians to travel the Morona river to Peru. In the past this journey had not been possible due to the conflict between the two countries. At the end of the war between Peru and Ecuador in 1999, an agreement was made between the two countries to allow Ecuadorians the freedom to travel to Peru via the Morona river. However, to date, never had such a journey taken place. We were therefore the first ever group of people to do so.
Michael and I were fortunate to be invited to attend this unique experience. The 6 day journey from Puerto Morona (near San Jose) to San Lorenzo (Peru) commenced on the 1st March 07. Ecotrackers volunteers, together with news paper reporters and journalists were invited on this journey which was the first of its kind in history.
28th Feb – The final preparation of the canoe was completed, and we then travelled a short distance where we camped for the night. This was at the border, and was the meeting point for the remainder of the guests to join us for the journey.
March 1st – We were joined by the rest of the party at 6am, and after breakfast we started the journey. The first stop was at a Peruvian Military base, where two Peruvian soldiers joined us for the journey to San Lorenzo.
We travelled each day for about 8 – 10 hours, stopping briefly for a swim, and toilet stops. Food was cooked on the canoe, with supplies brought by everyone, and fresh fish caught in the river by Louis and Michael (piranas and catfish). Drinking water was boiled from the river and also used for cooking. During the travel time, we entertained ourselves with card games, singing Ecuadorian folk songs, and guitar playing.
As volunteers, it was wonderful to share the joy and excitement the Ecuadorian people felt on this historic journey, who were undertaking for the first time the freedom to travel the Morona river and Maranion river to Peru.
Accommodation on the journey to San Lorenzo, was spent at Indian villages, where we were welcomed by the community leaders. Meals were prepared for us using traditional methods, and their schools were opened for us to sleep in. Some evenings were spent by the fire, singing songs, to entertain our Indian hosts.
We arrived in San Lorenzo a day behind schedule, due to difficult navigation in low water. San Lorenzo is a unique city as it has no road access. We all stayed in a hostel for two nights, and ate in the local restaurants. Everywhere we stopped along the way, we were received gladly by the various communities. Their hospitality was excellent, and all seemed encouraged by this trip as it is beneficial for those villages located along the route, as it will create trade and eco tourism which can only help in making the communities prosper. Also, these communities were encouraged by the prospect of having volunteers in the future, to teach English at their schools.
The return journey took three days, and we stayed overnight at the same Indian villages as we did on the way. We arrived back at Puerto Morona, feeling a great sense of achievement. We were very honoured to be part of this unforgettable experience, and hope that other volunteers and tourists take the opportunity to travel to Peru in this unique way. posted by Ecotrackers @ 8:43 AM 0 comme