Even More Ways to Create Impact
Updated: 1 day ago
The following is an El Terreno newsletter published on 05th June 2026
Hola there,
Another month, another great set of activities with the help of our interns, donors and collaborators!
And with so much in the pipeline for this season, we'll have some amazing things to share over the coming months too.
Joshua Holmes
Founder, El Terreno
Honouring Andean Traditions: Celebrating Pawkar Raymi at El Terreno
Pawkar Raymi, an ancient Andean Kichwa ceremony meaning “Festival of Flowering” or “Festival of Many Colours”, is a traditional celebration dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth) to express gratitude for the abundance of the land and the flowering of the crops. |
The ceremony took place between participants and locals at El Terreno, creating a meaningful space to connect with the cycles of nature and the richness of Andean culture. It began with the sharing of fruits and the representation of the spirits of nature, followed by a sacred fire where plants were offered as a gesture of gratitude. |
The experience continued at a nearby waterfall, where medicinal plants were used for a cleansing ritual, culminating in a moment of purification in the water – renewing both body and spirit. This powerful gathering served as a beautiful reminder of the deep connection between community, nature and ancestral wisdom. |
Moments like these enrich our programmes by bridging cultural understanding and fostering deep respect for indigenous traditions and environmental harmony. |
Amplifying Andean Soundscapes
For almost five years, El Terreno has brought together international participants and rural indigenous communities to co-create vibrant, prosperous and regenerative communities through the Andean philosophy of randi randi – reciprocal exchange. |
In 2025, El Terreno collaborated with In Place of War’s EarthSonic Archives to capture the living soundscape of the Andes. Local creative Inti (meaning “sun” in Kichwa) Manobanda recorded and shared the sounds of Chimborazo with international audiences as part of the EarthSonic Fund. This initiative widens access to nature sound recording and increases knowledge of the environment and local biodiversity among indigenous and Global Majority youth. |
Strengthening Agroecology Techniques for Farmers
Our Agroecology & Community Farming volunteers visited the foundation Su Cambio por el Cambio to receive a technical talk on sustainable agriculture and explore their ongoing projects. During the visit, Anna 🇧🇪, Kody 🇨🇦 and our local team member Klever 🇪🇨, who works directly on our chocho plantation, were accompanied by local farmers from the Atandahua area. Together, they learned practical strategies focused on strengthening local farming through environmentally friendly and regenerative techniques. |
The team gained valuable insights into innovative methods of soil regeneration, natural pest control and efficient water management that can be directly applied to our own agricultural initiatives. They also had the opportunity to see first-hand how different crops are being cultivated using ecological approaches that enhance both productivity and environmental health. |
These enriching experiences not only expanded the volunteers’ technical knowledge but also inspired new ideas for improving our chocho bean project. The exchange of experiences between the two organisations highlighted the power of collaboration and shared learning in building more resilient and sustainable farming systems in the Andean region. |
These types of visits reinforce the importance of connecting with other local initiatives, fostering a network of mutual support that benefits both communities and the environment in the long term. Support our chocho bean project and help expand regenerative agriculture in the Andes – donate today and be part of the change. |
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