Planting Seeds, Strengthening Care, Sharing Water!
Updated: 1 day ago
The following is an El Terreno newsletter published on 07th May 2026
Hola there,
At the start of the summer season, we've already been able to leave a mark on rural communities, and as we brace ourselves for even more arrivals we're excited to share what they can achieve in the coming months
As always, for those who can't join us in person, you can always support our efforts of co-creating a more vibrant, prosperous, and regenerative world through a donation - such as helping us with more filter installations!
Joshua Holmes
Founder, El Terreno
Learning to Plant Magic Beans
Learning from experience is one of our guiding principles here at El Terreno. As our Chochos project has gained more traction, we wanted to learn more from communities who have already transformed their agricultural practices and livelihoods through the Andean Lupin bean. |
That's why our interns, Anna 🇧🇪 and Lizzy 🇩🇪, organised a site visit of a community processing centre in the neighbouring province of Cotopaxi. They invited 22 local farmers, community leaders, interns and agronomy students from Universidad Estatal de Bolívar to learn about successful techniques in cultivation and processing.
Through hands-on learning, participants explored sustainable farming techniques, soil management, and traditional processing methods that preserve both nutritional value and ancestral knowledge. |
The visit not only strengthened practical skills but also highlighted the importance of connecting academic education with real-world community wisdom, creating stronger bridges for future collaborative projects in sustainable development.
They also stopped off at the breathtaking Quilotoa Lake to take in some of the amazing landscapes Ecuador has to offer. |
Apply today to join the next cohort of Sustainable Agriculture interns and help create lasting change in rural Ecuadorian communities. |
Strengthening Healthcare Capacity
Noah 🇩🇪, an intern in the Medicine & Public Health programme, contributed directly to strengthening Ecuador’s emergency medical response by providing specialised training to doctors and staff of the Ecuadorian Red Cross. |
As an experienced physiotherapist, he was able to share international best practices while learning from local realities. Noah’s workshop helped enhance clinical skills and preparedness among healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
This meaningful knowledge transfer demonstrates the value of our internship programmes in building local medical capacity and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations across the region. |
These skills are hugely valued in rural Ecuador – if you're looking for a meaningful travel experience to put what you know into practice, click below to arrange your free discovery call! |
More Clean Water for Rural Schools
Thanks to our generous donors and fundraising efforts, such as Yasmin's 🇺🇸 cake sale in Madrid, we have been able to continue strengthening rural public health by installing yet more water filtration systems in rural schools in the region. This important contribution provides safe drinking water to students and teachers, addressing a fundamental need in the daily school environment. |
The school’s director was highly enthusiastic about the initiative, and with the support of Neiser, the system was successfully installed and paired with practical training sessions for teachers on proper use and maintenance – guaranteeing long-term sustainability and impact. |
This initiative is improving daily learning conditions for students, promoting better health and empowering communities with essential resources and knowledge. |
These vital community activities are made possible thanks to donors of the El Terreno Foundation. Here in Ecuador, a little goes a long way, and every contribution will go directly to projects for rural communities in the Andes. |
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