Newsletter 2010

The Ecological Foundation Tiuti Wally, continued with the small projects in the year 2010. There are also new projects. We describe the projects more in detail below.

1. - Pisciculture project (tilapia-nursery)
Financed by the Council of the Pastaza Province (department sustainable projects). This project started in March 2007 and is still going on. On June 28, 2010 the engineers visited the tilapia fish farming project for the analysis and recommendations for the management of the tilapia and the selection of females and males. There are now 10,000 tilapias in 13 ponds.
The aims of this project is first to improve the daily alimentation of the families of the foundation and after that the rest of the inhabitants of Sarayaku. Half way of the year 2009 they were already able to eat the fishes. Besides the people of the foundation can sell the big tilapias and the small fishes to the people of the community of Sarayaku to let them reproduce. In this way it will also give the people of the foundation an income. They are already selling the tilapias.

2. - Handicrafts project
With the closure of the shop in May 2009 we continued to sell ceramics, beads of seeds, an jewelry of seeds. We are working to make these products on the shop's new website to sell. Unfortunately, with much delay, because the shop is still not finished. The aims with the handicrafts are to finance (part of it) our projects, especially replacements of the outboard motor.

3. - River transport project (purchase of an outboard motor)
This project has been financed by the foundation MIVA from Holland with the amount of 3.984,00 dollars. The members of the foundation of the project - as compensation - have built a canoe of cedar wood with a capacity for 10 persons. The canoe is 11 metres long and 95 centimetres wide. The turbo motor is of the trade mark Yamaha with 40 HP short legs. The project helps to give a better exclusive service of the river transport and there will be three shifts weekly on the route Sarayaku - Canelos - Sarayaku. Materials can be transported for example by finishing the construction of the health centre of the Ecological Foundation Tiuti Wally without renting a canoe with high costs. Besides the volunteers, the members of the foundation, ill persons and people of the community can be transported. The project has been financed in the month December 2008 until early 2010. The proceeds from the seeds jewelry seeden beads and pottery we finance replacement and maintenance of the outboard motor, gasoline, oil and tools.

4. - Health project (construction of a health centre)
This project is funded by the Foundation Share4More, Rabobank, Dutch Embassy in Quito and private donations from the Netherlands with an amount of $ 30,899.88. The health center has a small measuring 10 by 8 meters and a construction of cement and wood. The roof is made of ecological tiles. An expensive, but very durable construction. The construction began in September 2008 and ended in 2010. The health center has a small measuring 10 by 8 meters and a construction of cement and wood.
The health center has four formats: a room (with shower and toilet) for medicines, first aid and sister, a room for the doctor, a dental room and a waiting room with public toilets. The building is now also used for the giving of vaccinations.

5. - House for volunteers and visitors
This house was built for accommodation for international visitors and foreigners. Moreover, the accommodation for the volunteers of the Ecological Foundation Tiuti Wally. The project is funded by private donations from the Netherlands with an amount of $3.083,75. The (simple) house for volunteers and visitors currently has a room with three beds. Still missing 2 rooms with 13 beds, a dining room, a kitchen with supplies and sanitation, shower, toilet, sink etc. We are still looking for financial support to finish the house with interior.

6. - Freezer for vaccinations (solar panels and freezer)
On August 28, 2010, the craftsmen of the Ministry of Health of the Province of Pastaza have installed solar panels for cooling vaccinations in a freezer. This freezer is now in the health center. Both the panels and the freezer are financed through the Ministry of Health, Pastaza Province.

7. - Satellite phone / laptop
The satellite phone is in use since March 2010. Thanks to the donation of a demo solar panel and demo solar charger we can use the satellite phone using solar energy. This donation comes from the company  Micromedia in Nijmegen (Dutch largest distributor of software, games and consumer electronics). A mini laptop is in use by the Secretary of the Foundation.

8.- Cleaning of the river Bobonaza
In July 2010, the municipal government of Pastaza has financed the cleaning and removing sticks and stones from the river Bobonaza. A distance of about 150 km from Sarayaku to Latasas.
The obstacles were a danger to the (motor) boats in the river.
There were 11 men and 3 women, cooks and 2 motorboats to work over a period of 8 days.

9. - Ecological Path
In July 2010, the Provincial Council of Pastaza has financed the construction of a one kilometer paved path (stones and sand).The paved path was built from the airstirp to the sector Mawka Llakta.
Seven families were working in total a month.

10. - Visiting medical team
The medical team from the Ministry of Health in Pastaza has brought this year three visits to the new health center Sarayaku. From 3 to 5 days each in April, May and November.
The medical team comprises three people, a doctor, a nurse and a dentist.
The female doctor is from Sarayaku and the dentist and nurse are from the city.
The visit of the medical team was to give the vaccinations to newborn babies, pregnant women and all the persons between 18 and 65 years.
They have had the vaccinations for yellow fever, flu and tetanus. Further to get away the parasites, general medicine and vaccinations for dogs against rabies.
But as well cleaning and pulling teeth.
Some of the medical and dental equipment is in use by the team and is supported by the Netherlands Embassy.