The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to Indigenous communities who have been guardians of the forests they live in for generations. In Orellana, one of these communities is El Eden, a Kichwa community of approximately 500 people. El Eden has a thriving Women’s Association who are working together to grow produce sustainably. Join us as we get to know them…
A growing enterprise
First, we meet Yolanda Santi, an El Eden community leader. Yolanda has been a member of the women’s association since she was just 12 years old, and has seen it grow from only 12 women to 32.
As a long-standing member of the women’s association, Yolanda works closely with her fellow members, organizes meetings and welcomes visiting organisations. Credit: Sebastián Benalcazar/NCI
The Eden Women’s Association is an opportunity for the women of the community to work collaboratively and co-ordinate the creation and sale of their products. The association’s growing success has been a great encouragement for more women to become part of the group. Yolanda says, “Before, each one of us worked individually in their land, sometimes they sold, sometimes they didn’t. Their produce got wasted. But now they can see that a common effort means an income so that encourages women to join.”
This collaboration extends to the structure of the association too, as the presidency rotates among the women. This gives everyone a chance to learn to lead and experience new skills.
Tradition and sustainability
The 32 women of the association each work in different areas to grow the crops and fruits they need to generate a sustainable income. Between them they grow Yuca, Chonta, Macambo and Plantain.
Plantain growing in the community’s Chakra. Credit: Sebastián Benalcazar/NCI
These crops are cultivated in their community Chakras – a traditional form of farming that Indigenous communities have passed down from one generation to the next. Chakra agroforestry systems support many different plant species but are all designed to coexist with the biodiversity of the forest.
Organic cultivation techniques are used to maintain soil and maximise space. Fundamentally, Chakras are intended to become part of the natural environment, using only what is needed and always respecting land and wildlife.
Chakras aim to connect with the ecosystems of the forest without the need for cutting down too many trees. Credit: Sebastián Benalcazar/NCI
This can certainly be seen in the way El Eden works. The community is dedicated to leading the way for others to protect the forest, and the women’s association only uses an allocated area of land.
Yolanda says, “The community doesn’t allow us to cut down the forest. Because if we cut down our forest, we cannot ask others not to. We must set the example. We only have 1 hectare and that way we prevent the destruction of nature.”
Yolanda and two women from the association in their kitchen, where they create a variety of natural products. Credit: Mary McEvoy/WLT
With the produce grown in their Chakras the women’s association make a variety of sustainable, all-natural products. These include Chonta flour, Plantain flour, and Morete fruit pulp – which can be eaten fresh, made into jam, or even pressed for oil to moisturise and rejuvenate skin and hair.
The women also produce ice creams and have a group called Wayruru Warmis that make arts and crafts items and clothing. These products are then sold through organisations such as San Francisco University, which sells the flour and fruit pulp.
Arts and crafts items produced by El Eden women. Credit: Sebastián Benalcazar/NCI
El Eden receives support from the Orellana provincial government to provide equipment to develop their production processes. For example, a loom was recently supplied to the community so the women can weave their traditional fibres. The Orellana government is also currently arranging a new milling machine so they can make more flour instead of having an oversupply of produce.
Now, the women’s association is keen to continue expanding. As summed up by Yolanda: “We want to sell to people from other cities, other countries, so they learn that we’re women that can thrive. I know we’re from the Amazon, but we can thrive.”
An El Eden woman practicing with the new loom provided to them through government support. Credit: Mary McEvoy/WLT
An example of what is possible
The success of El Eden Women’s Association is testament to their hard work and their dedication towards creating sustainable livelihoods for their community.
After his recent visit to Orellana, Jaime Toro, from our partner Nature and Culture in Ecuador, noted that “the women of the indigenous nationalities are approaching conservation with strength and responsibility. When we met El Eden, we saw how women are developing their small businesses to respond to individual needs and the needs of the community. The women have a very key role.”
El Eden is a thriving example of the enterprises that can emerge if Indigenous communities are given support and training. In the future, it could also be a place for other communities to visit to learn how they could set up and improve their own associations.
As part of our Protecting the Ecuadorian Amazon appeal, Nature and Culture in Ecuador will work closely with Kichwa and Waorani communities to establish a 747,000-ha protected area. Alongside preserving vital land, Nature and Culture in Ecuador will support communities like El Eden to help them develop sustainable livelihoods. Learn more about the appeal here.
