People and nature – these two elements make up the living part of our planet. When they are in balance, both thrive, but when they are at odds, both suffer. It’s a universal truth that the mutual prosperity of people and nature are inextricably interlinked and to ultimately achieve harmony, we must work together. When it comes to the Care of the People in South America, collaborating with like-minded partners across our touring footprint – those who care for land and wildlife too – is exactly what we’re about.
People, planet, prosperity
Partnerships for change in South America
Enabling education in Ecuador
CARE OF THE GALAPAGOS
The beautiful Galapagos Islands straddle the equator and the collision of ocean currents here, render its waters pristine and its marine life abundant and exceptionally unique. These elements made this wonderland the perfect playground for the famed naturalist, Charles Darwin and are also the reason it is declared a natural World Heritage Site today. Sustainability in this distinctive and isolated environment, could prove to be one of the most important challenges the Galapagos faces in this modern era.
In 1950, just 1,300 human inhabitants occupied Galapagos, but this community has grown to over 30,000 today. Inspired to instil a long-term conservation ethos in future generations of island residents, a group of parents and leaders started the Scalesia Foundation in 1992 and in 1993, opened the Tomas de Berlanga School, an academic institution that is addressing the realities of students growing up in this globally-beloved biodiversity paradise.
We ask students and teachers to imagine a sustainable Galapagos, and challenge them to become the leaders who make ways to get us there
CONSERVATION TAKES PEOPLE
Investing in the people that will ultimately make the decisions for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands in the long-term is the approach used by the Scalensia Foundation.
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These include local authorities, citizens and entrepreneurs. Many alumni and scholarship recipients already hold key positions in the community.
EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY
The Tomas de Berlanga School strives to educate the next generation of conservation champions. Students are taught skills that include critical thinking, civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.
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The school’s scholarship program provides low income students the opportunity to access education and ensures that Galapagos diversity is well represented in the student pool.
DEVELOPING TEACHERS
By training teachers, students are subsequently capacitated to develop the skills, knowledge and motivation needed to become champions for conservation. Partnerships are essential in achieving this goal.
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Together with the Ministry of Education, Galapagos Conservancy, and Ecology Project International Ecuador, Scalesia Foundation extends the education methods applied at the Tomas de Berlanga School to all students in the Galapagos by providing educators with effective strategies to teach core subjects in the context of sustainability.
A TWO-PRONGED APPROACH
Education of learners is not limited to the classroom or textbook learning. Exposure to natural history subjects first-hand is critical and to this end, students participate in complementary practical outings.
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During these sessions, they engage in hands-on studies and are then required to interpret their experience and findings to cement and consolidate their theoretical and practical learning processes.
Caring for (and cantering in) Chile
HORSES THAT HELP
The Bayos Foundation provides care and rehabilitation to children from local Chilean communities who have physical and learning disabilities. It employs an interdisciplinary team that uses nature-based therapies such as hippotherapy (the therapeutic use of horse movement) and forest therapy to achieve healing and well-being.
MORE ON THE PEOPLE OF CHILE
Providing and protecting in Peru
Care of the children
“You might look at the rural houses in the Sacred Valley and think life there must be simple, even idyllic. However, the harsh reality is that all too often extreme poverty breeds violence, alcoholism and abuse. With no sense of hope, the light goes out in childrens’ eyes.”
These are the tragic words of Sol y Luna Foundation Founder, Petit Miribel who, for decades, has made it her mission to ensure that Peruvian children from backgrounds of extreme poverty ultimately discover the sacred gifts of love and education in the Sacred Valley where they live.
Sol y Luna Home
This little orphanage provides a loving, safe, family-centric home for children from troubled backgrounds who have suffered as victims of abuse or abandonment. It is a place where children can learn, play and trust again, slowly growing in confidence and self belief.
School
Founded in 2009, the intercultural school educates children across the age spectrum, from kindergarten to 17 years old, from various communities, often in remote areas. The majority of the learners also receive a scholarship to ease financial pressure on their families.
Roots and wings
There are two enduring gifts that one can give a child: roots and wings, so this is the title given to the programme where students graduating from the Sol y Luna School are facilitated in gaining further education. Fees, living expenses and emotional support are supplied.
Paqari
Meaning rebirth in Quechua, Paqari is a centre for disabled children, established in 2015. Every student has access to therapy and rehabilitation according to their individual needs, as well as to special academic education, counselling and social or emotional support.
MORE ON THE PEOPLE OF PERU
Our impact journey into South America
FROM PIONEERING JAGUAR AND PUMA CONSERVATION TO OUR COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
Iberá Wetlands | Patagonia | Lake District
South
America
An adventure playground
Patagonian puma
Impact story
Argentinian jaguar
Coalition
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