Solidarity Worker: Ecuadorian Amazon

Read about Lori Neuman-Lee's Amazon Summer below!

Join with SELVA, a women-led environmental and human rights organization in Ecuador, to work on issues of vital concern to the rainforest and the plants, animals and people who call it home.

•  Learn about threats to the rainforest by petroleum production

•  Be a part of a program to help native people make an income from the rainforest by harvesting it sustainably

•  Work in a forest area being used as a medicinal plant nursery-and learn from shamans about the uses of such plants

•  Do field work assessing environmental quality

Transportation and modest living expenses are born by the volunteer and NCP. Other in-country expenses are covered by SELVA.

Lori Neuman-Lee and Siona leader Delio in the Cuyabeno National Park in Ecuador. Lori and her brother Mark spent two months working with NCP partner SELVA on forest preservation projects. Significant funding for Lori and Mark's experience in Ecuador was provided by the REAP Foundation.

Amazon Summer-Lori Neuman-Lee

This summer gave me one of the best experiences of my life. My brother Mark and I journeyed nearly 3000 miles from Des Moines, IA to Quito , Ecuador . When we arrived in the beautiful mountainous city, we were greeted by Pieter Brower, from Foundacion Selva, a partner of New Community Project . After a short stay with Pieter in Quito , Mark and I met Mariana Almeida, the executive president of Selva.

Mark and I traveled over the Andes Mountains to the Oriente Region of Ecuador , which is in the very eastern half of Ecuador. We stayed at Foundacion Selva's beautiful lodge next to the Aguarico River.

The lodge is nestled in a tract of beautiful rainforest that has remained untouched by the outside world. Monkeys, birds of hundreds of colors, poison dart frogs, caimans, and amazing trees and flowers surrounded us. We worked in a 2.5 hectare area of land, part of it purchased by New Community Project. The area had once been a barren sandbar. Seven years ago, secondary trees and banana plants were planted here by Foundacion Selva. When we arrived, Cofane tribesmen worked to clear the area, using their machetes. The secondary trees were left standing, to provide shade for the area.

Mark and I followed the Cofanes, planting primary (hardwood) trees and bamboo. We worked hard, clearing the area, digging holes, and planting the trees.

During this time, Mark and I worked with the Cofane shaman Aurelio. Aurelio showed us the medicinal plants that the Cofanes have used for ages. Mark photographed the vines, fungi, and trees.

We traveled into the deep wilderness of the Cuyabeno Reserve. Here we met Delio, the shaman of the Siona tribe. He showed us a variety of other medicinal plants that his tribe uses. While in the Reserve, we experienced the wonders of the jungle to a greater degree. We saw Pink Amazon River Dolphins, parrots, a sloth, countless monkeys, caimans, an anaconda, opossums, tarantulas, bats, toucans, and so many other wonderful things.

Mark and I lived in awe for our summer. There were times when it was difficult, but more times when it was wonderful. We met many new people that changed our lives for the better. It is our fervent hope to someday return to the Ecuadorian jungle and see the trees that we planted-grown big, tall, and beautiful.

Contact David Radcliff for more information at dradcliff@newcommunityproject.org