A short presentation I did for the Norwich Sea Scouts on my time in Ecuador, prior to getting them to raise funds for projects in another country.

1. Ecuador – A wildly Different place Kit England

2. A little bit about me 22 years old Currently doing a Masters degree in ‘Environment, Politics and Globalisation’ Travelled after finishing my first degree Quite adventurous – liked the idea of exploring new places So why Ecuador?

3. Ecuador in Context One of the smaller countries of South America Colonised by the Spanish in 1531 Bordered by Columbia, Brazil and Peru

4. Some facts About Ecuador Population 13.4 million people Capital city is Quito Main language is Spanish Important for conservation – plants, animals and birds Also home to Galapogos Islands Divided into 3 main regions

5. Geography of Ecuador West – Amazon region - Hot & rainy Highlands (“La Sierra”) – Home to Andes and cloud forest Coast (“La Costa”) – cool and dry

6. What I was involved in Worked at ‘La Hesperia’ Biological Reserve and Research Station Practiced Rainforest conservation, organic farming and community development. Also learnt about some other things– making coffee, history, horseriding... The works!

7. Forest Conservation Large amount of deforestation Growing in the wild is hard! Start as saplings in the nursery Planted out in reforestation lines Looked after for 3 years

8. Organic Farming What is organic farming? Includes animals, as well as fruit and veg Tries to be sustainable – so that people don’t have to rely on other people. Difficult to farm in South America Surprisingly bad soil! Inconsistent climate – Lots of rain!

9. Community Project Trying to raise funds to help buy a building for the people of the local town (‘La Esperie’) Aim to provide childcare to enable Mothers to work Also to provide training to people in I.T. Eventually looking to become an agricultural co-operative Sharing of resources – seeds, tractors, labour Sharing the profits of what they make Don’t have to be in Ecuador to help – I’ve been raising funds since I left!

10. Not just about volunteering! Visit wasn’t just about volunteering – a chance to travel and meet new people Kayaked around the Amazon, visited ‘Mitad del Mundo’ (the Middle of the World), local market towns, and the Incan city of Ingapirca

11. More information La Hesperia website: http://www.volunteersecuador.com/ JatunSacha foundation: http://www.jatunsacha.org/ingles/ Any Questions?