Newsletter: ¿What Are Your Plans This Summer?
- Joshua Holmes
- Mar 15, 2024
- 4 min read
The following is an El Terreno newsletter published on 15th March 2024
Summer is fast approaching and we've been building some exciting projects with interns on important issues.
Multi-projects are generally more enjoyable for interns and impactful in the community, so we thought we would send out this special newsletter for those of you wanting to develop your resume through a hands-on project this summer. Read on to find out more!
Joshua Holmes
Founder, El Terreno
Understanding Gender Equality in Rural Ecuador
Conversations on gender equality in the Global North are a hot topic right now. Here in rural Ecuador, however, traditional gender roles are more accepted.
However, as men are typically the breadwinners and women take responsibility for domestic chores, females have less access to economic, educational and life opportunities.
It's sensitive topic and so it's important that we understand the situation clearly before imposing our own views on the local culture.
Last year, Julia (USA) started some of this work looking into the challenges around teenage pregnancy in early 2023. She learned that the 26%+ adolescent birth rate is largely down to a lack of education rather than prejudice. As a result, she designed and delivered several workshops in the local school to help educate girls on their reproductive health and contraceptive options.
Watch her final presentation below:
As of late-May 2024, five interns (with interests in film-making to psychology to project evaluation) will be passed the baton during a multi-week research project to understand the lives that women and girls live in the nearby communities.
The results should lead to a pilot project to address one of the core issues they uncover, using the design thinking methodology. We're excited to see what this will produce!
If you're also passionate about gender equality and want to find out how you can be a part of this project, while building your skills and immersing your in new cultures, sign up for a discovery call today!
"Everything Begins with Water"
The quote in the header came from one of the community leaders in Pímbalo, when we took interns to learn how they protected thousands of hectares of highland marsh, in order to increase economic opportunities and reduce migration.
If you have been following us for a while you'll know how important water security and safety is to communities surrounding Atandahua. If we are going to restore local ecosystems and mitigate the inevitable effects of climate change, it will be a project that will span years.
That's why, this summer we're building a team to carry the successful work of previous interns, which has already resulted in the unification of 7 water committees and planting of 15,000 trees in key strategic locations where water sources emerge.
It's great for a wide variety of skillsets - from ecology, agriculture, engineering, community development, cartography and social enterprise.
So if helping low-income communities gain access to clean, reliable water is important to you, and you want to see how you can build a sustainable development career, arrange a free call to discover how you can join us this summer for an unforgettable trip to the Ecuadorian Andes.
Financial Education for Communities
Local people in the community estimate that 10-20% of the local population has migrated in the last couple of years - the majority leaving illegally to the USA. This crisis is primarily caused by the economic downturn that Ecuador has faced since the pandemic.
As the government rises taxes to fight its war on drug traffickers, things are will remaining challenging for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it's important that those still here to take control of their money, however, most don't keep any financial records.
We are currently working to collaborate with the CARE Foundation, who over the last 30 years, has developed a community savings and investment model that helps motivated individuals keep track of their finances, save for a rainy day and even make money though a community investment fund.
As of May 20th, we will be working to deliver this programme in rural communities and are inviting interns from the around the world to participate in the implementation of this tried-and-tested programme, and help low-income communities take control of their financial future.
If this sounds like something you'd like to support, while gaining valuable non-profit experience this summer, arrange your call to find out how you can get involved.
Final Touches on the Adobe Restoration Project
After a year of internships and volunteer groups, we are so close to completing the restoration of 'Gina's Cabin', an abandoned 100-year old adobe building which we are transforming into charming accommodation for future interns and tourists in order to bring in a source of income to a family of which many members have been forced to migrate in search of work.
It's been a fascinating journey for everyone involved, and each step has brought it's own construction challenges and rewards. We've worked with local craftsmen, used traditional materials and made amazing progress to restoring this beautiful house back to its former glory.
Learn a little from Alina and Elise what's involved in an Architecture and Sustainable Building internship at El Terreno:
In two short weeks we will have another volunteer group from the UK to stomp around in the mud, brush off hand-made roof tiles and work on hand-crafted furniture. We are then looking for more interns to join us to take us through the home straight to get the house ready for visitors!
We'd love to have your help to get us over the finish line. It's a great opportunity for architects and builders looking to take the alternative route to the conventional building systems and recover the use of centries-old building techniques that are affordable, in harmony with nature and help to preserve Ecuador's beautiful cultural heritage.
If this sounds right for you, book in your call today:
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