Support Yuturi Warmi in creating a community-led tourism initiative!

We are four students, Joris, Mila, Isa and Kate from the University of Delft, participating in a project in Serena, Ecuador, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We are collaborating closely with the Yuturi Warmi, a group of women who are part of the Indigenous community Kichwa. They are known as Ecuador’s first indigenous guard led by women. The women are actively fighting against (illegal) mining companies encroaching on their territory and harming their environment. The name of the group is derived from their indigenous language, in which ‘Yuturi’ refers to an ant that is known for its strong resistance and protection of their territory. And ‘Warmi’ means women. Just like the ants, the women share a collective responsibility to protect their environment, which they feel interconnected with and view as an ancestral gift passed down through generations. 

Right now the Amazon is being taken over by (illegal) mining companies, already 65% of indigenous communities in Ecuador have been affected by this. The Yuturi Warmi wants to create more awareness about the impact this industry has on their livelihood, culture and health and fights for their territory. 

So how does our project support the Yuturi Warmi? 

In this project we will be focusing on co-creating a regenerative tourism business. The women of the Yuturi Warmi want to stay independent from the extraction industry. Therefore they need enough income to support themselves. To do so they dream of having a tourist lodge within their community that provides multiple tourist activities. During the project we will be co-creating with the women a start-up tourism-business that is ecologically and ethnologically friendly. The business is led by the community in which the main priority is that their voices and needs are the core of the project. To bring this vision to life, we aim to engage tourism activities that represent cultural elements of the community of Serena. The women of the Yuturi Warmi want to share elements of their culture with tourists, to gain understandance about the importance of sustaining their environment. Another important part of our project is to co-create English workshops with the community. The women want a better understanding of this language as it has become necessary to be able to enter the job market and can contribute in spreading awareness

So why do we need your help?

We are seeking financial support for acquiring materials needed for the English workshops, as well as equipment for tourism activities. Think about specific materials needed for the activities, facilities and advertisement. Every bit helps, and all extra funds will go directly to the Yuturi Warmi to support their fight against the extraction companies and to support the community in their livelihood.

For more information about the Yuturi Warmi you can visit their instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/yuturiwarmi/