Several national and provincial authorities visited the Wa’iya community on November 17, 2021, where they learned about the field activities of the Raíz Ecuador Foundation – CAEMBA. We built a collection and processing center for Amazonian bioenterprises, constructed with bamboo, in this community of the indigenous Siekopai (Secoya) nationality, in the province of Sucumbíos.
The construction of the collection and processing center was funded by Alianza Ceibo and will serve to process the products collected from the bioenterprises of several surrounding communities. It will be managed by the Siekopai Women’s Association (ASOPROASIENW). Tanya Montenegro, representative of the Program for Support to the National System of Protected Areas (PASNAP); Henning Weise from KFW; and Anita Ortiz, Director of the Department of Nationalities and Afro People of the Sucumbíos GAD, attended the event. They learned about the different processes involved in bioenterprises such as nea pia (black chili), casave (yucca), fariña, and chontaduro, ancestral Amazonian delights.
They also met ASOPROASIENW, an important pillar of the «Amazon Bioenterprises» project. Anita Ortiz, from the Sucumbíos GAD, explained about the agreement between the Sucumbíos GAD, Raíz – CAEMBA, and the Lianas Center Foundation. To conclude the visit, the visitors enjoyed delicious Siekopai typical food.
Stakeholders involved
We extend our gratitude to the Alianza Ceibo Foundation; the Emergency Fund for the Amazon, from the Rainforest Foundation; the German Development Bank (KFW); the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ Ecuador); the Small Grants Program of Ecuador (PPD), from the United Nations Development Program Ecuador (UNDP); Canopy Bridge; the Lianas Center Foundation; the Support Program for the National System of Protected Areas (PASNAP) of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition of Ecuador.
