In March, various activities related to the Kapawi Ecolodge were officially transferred from the direction of Fundación Pachamama to the Kapawi Center for Ecotourism(CEKSA, abbreviation in Spanish). This includes the Kapawi English program, the Kapawi eco-tourism land zoning program, the university of tourism study program, and the participatory budgeting project.
This handover comes after Fundación Pachamama provided close support to Kapawi , first in the run-up to the hotel transfer to the Achuar from Canodros tourism company in 2008, and then afterwards, during the first two years of Achuar ownership and management of the hotel in 2008 and 2009. This also reflects the culmination of many years of work in conjunction with CEKSA and the communities who are directly impacted by the presence of the Kapawi Ecolodge in their territory, improving their capacities to manage these activities on their own over time.
English program
The English-teaching program originated from the desire of the Achuar federation that the Achuar be able to independently manage their tourism enterprise as soon as possible, which includes the ability to speak directly with the English-speaking guests of the hotel. The English program is divided into two parts: a program at the Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve, that is managed by the Achuar administrator of the Lodge; and, the Bilingual Technical School in Kapawi community, where English classes, have been recognized by the Achuar Educational Administration of Pastaza.
Territorial zoning project
The territorial zoning project responds to the need of the Achuar to find a harmony between the traditional needs of the communities, like hunting, fishing, and gathering, and the tourism needs of the Lodge, like healthy flora and fauna, and the maintenance of the forest in excellent conditions. After various weeks working collaboratively with the involved communities and the Lodge, a map was created detailing the territories impacted by the Lodge. With this map finally created, the hope is that the Lodge and the communities will come to an agreement on a sustainable and collaborative management of the natural resources in the area. Many communities have already agreed not to hunt or fish in certain areas of their territories, so that tourism can instead take place there, mainly in the form of nature trails.
University of Tourism study program
Since 2007, with support for the higher education of Achuar students, five talented Achuar have received training in the University of Tourism Specialties, focusing on Administration of Tourism Companies. They graduated in 2009, and four of these Achuar students have received management positions within the Kapawi Ecolodge administration, further contributing to achieve the Achuar dream to be decision-making leaders within the tourism project in their territory. Nevertheless, the education of these five students has not ended, and plans are underway for them to continue studying and growing professionally to be able to confront the challenges associated with managing a highly complex tourism company.
Participatory budget project
The participatory budget project grew out of the need to assist communities in managing their increased income as a result of the Ecolodge in a democratic and transparent fashion. This project continues to be facilitated by Fundación Pachamama, but the communities are now managing the income from tourism in their territory. Participatory budgeting has responded to the needs of three communities to receive training in financial management to be able to decide on how to distribute their income through a process of direct democracy. A transparent and democratic internal financial management by these communities that benefits all community members serves as motivation for the growth of sustainable management throughout this and other associations.
Pachamama wishes CEKSA much luck in the above steps of the Ecolodge’s management, emphasizing that while transferring these activities to the company, it does not mean Pachamama is pulling out of the processes of the Ecolodge. Rather, Pachamama sees this as an appropriate moment to hand over these activities for a more independent and autonomous management of the Lodge.
