Report no. 4 from Seed and Permaculture Volunteers in
Ecuador
April 2001
By Holly Shiach

Activities undertaken during this period:

On Site at Madre Selva Instituto de Permacultura:

-Seed collection, drying, and storage
-Multiplication of various plant varieties
-Ongoing trialling of plant varieties
-Ongoing seed bank administration
-Maintenance of site
-Fruit sales
-Plant sales
-Visitor education
-Facilitation of new volunteers at Madre Selva
-Facilitation of staff meetings
-Administration of Green Grants funding
-Completion of a new access road, water distribution
channels, and gate
-Construction of new cement water tank as to Shines
design, and purchase of all new parts
-Construction of rat proof food cupboards for the
kitchen
-Construction of doors for the composting toilets
-Construction of new path and step into main building


Outreach and communications:

-Distribution of seed and plant material in
communities of San Lorenzo, Playa del Oro, Olmedo and
to Los Cedros Biological Reserve
-Processing, packaging and export of seed
-Wrote information for prospective volunteers for RIC
website and other uses
-Wrote information for student programs for RIC
website and other uses
-Communications with various prospective volunteers
and students
-Networking with various local organisations re
permaculture contracting from Madre Selva
-Trained volunteers in basic seed saving and
composting techniques at Los Cedros Biological Reserve
-Revamped the Los Cedros greenhouses with clearing,
seedsaving, planting and compost making
-Supported Nicola Mears process of planning for a
funding proposal to establish an organic seed
production business through PROBIO (national organic
certifier)
-Wrote funding application for a Vetiver project at
Madre Selva
-Sought extra funding for volunteer support


And a little more of the story....

This period began with the arrival of new volunteers
to Madre Selva. Be Ward from Australia has been a
great on the ground volunteer, adjusting quickly to
San Lorenzo life and offering assistance to various
activities and works, preparing lunches (to the
amazement of both the women in the marketplace and the
menfolk we work with!), as well as taking on
organisation of the seed export project. It was a
great satisfaction to see the first batch of clean
packaged local seeds making their way off in the post
to custodians in Australia. We hope this initiative
can be an effective part of Madre Selvas plant sales
for income generation, as well as playing a role in
species conservation and agricultural diversity. Be
has also been actively engaged in community activities
through his passion for the marimba (an instrument
originating in Africa that is central to Afro
Ecuadorian cultural life in Esmereldas: its a bit like
a xylophone). He has been studying local rhythms and
songs with marimbero Zapallo, and participating in the
local Bereju School of Marimba and Afro Ecuatorian
Culture twice a week. Funding has recently been
secured for the group to perform in Japan for Fiesta
Ecuador. Be, who speaks Japanese and regularly works
in Japan, is assisting the group with preparations and
will accompany them there in October.
Cindy Mathys from Chicago Botanical Gardens also
arrived to help with seed bank activities and
photography. She experienced harrowing side effects
from a new malaria medication still being trialled in
the states which unfortunately led to her early
departure. Its still a matter of debate which is mas
peligroso (ie. dangerous!) :the multinational
pharmaceutical companies or the mosquitoes? Cindy was
a trooper through the whole experience and a cheerful
addition to the team at Madre Selva. She continues to
support Madre Selva from Chicago with  fundraising
activites, including recent funding she secured for
Madre Selva staff to attend the RAFI Tropical
Agroforestry Forum which is due to take place in
Esmereldas in May.
Ray Biastock from Canada visited for one week, to
increase his knowledge of permaculture by experiencing
tropical permaculture first hand at Madre Selva. Ray
lent his hard working hands to the famous last haul
and spreading of gravel onto what is now the new
access road to Madre Selva. We wish him lots of luck
in his fundraising efforts for the Los Cedros
Biological Reserve on his trip home to Canada. He
plans to return to volunteer there for one year with
permaculture as his project. Good luck Ray!
This period saw the end of 5 months full time
employment of Madre Selvas commited skilled staff,
Nursury Manager Frisman Medina, Groundsman Aldelmo
and part time Director Mauro Caiso. During this time
they were able to make vital repairs and improvements
to the site infrastructure, maintain the farm,
increase plant and fruit sales significantly and
support the growing community relations with visitor
education. This was all possible through the support
of a Green Grants fund which we are sad to say expires
at the end of April. They are a great team and we hope
to secure funding so they can continue their important
work soon.
I extended my volunteer time in Ecuador by 3 months. I
am finding the work very satisfying and want to follow
through on seeking volunteers and funds, and
continuing on with the general seed and plant work at
the Institute.
Extra donations were gratefully received in this
period from Rainforest Information Centre, Seed Savers
Network, and Sustainable Futures Planning and Design.
THANKYOU!!!
Madre Selva wants new volunteers to keep the mission
alive. If you know anyone who may be interested in
supporting and participating in the project, as a
volunteer or student, either by project work from
Australia, or here in Ecuador please refer them to the
RIC website at
http://rainforestinfo.org.auprojects/Ecuador/permaculture/Madre
Selva
Donations are always welcome too, tax deductable
through the Rainforest Information Centre.
Thanks for your interest and support.
Saludos,
Holly