Projects in Ecuador
8 projects completed
KICHWA COMMUNITIES
3 projects completed
The Sarayaku Community, comprised of approximately 1,200 Kichwa indigenous people residing in the central Ecuadorian Amazon, have battled resource extraction from their territory for decades. Empowered by Light, with its partner Amazon Watch, recently installed solar energy systems in three communities fighting oil extraction. The systems power VHF and satellite radios enabling these remote communities to communicate with the outside world in their efforts to defend against oil expansion.
SAPARA COMMUNITIES
3 projects completed
Photo credit: Yanda
In Ecuador, the Sapara people find their culture and their way of life threatened by plans to drill for oil in the Amazon Basin. Empowered by Light has installed solar systems in three communities fighting illegal encroachment. As part of the work, the Sapara communities have also been provided with satellite communications equipment that will help them stay connected with global conservation and human rights organizations as they fight to save their territory.
Photo credit: Amazon Watch
Empowered by Light is collaborating with Amazon Watch, Greenpeace-Brazil, and others to build small, replicable solar systems for indigenous peoples like the Sapara who are struggling at the intersection of conservation, conflict, and livelihood development. These systems allow these indigenous groups to thrive as autonomous but connected communities, while also increasing their capacity to share their stories, struggles, and solutions with the wider world.
ACHUAR COMMUNITIES
2 projects funded
Empowered by Light is partnering with Kara Solar to build a solar-powered canoe and charging station for the Achuar people living along 67-kilometers of river ways in the Achuar territory of southeastern Ecuadorian Amazon.
The canoe will enable the Achuar to transport people and goods among their communities, and the onshore solar recharge station will also serve as a community center. Currently, the Achuar rely on diesel, flown in by airplane to power their boats. This combination of solar-powered boat(s) and recharging stations could be replicated throughout the Amazon to benefit numerous other indigenous people living in the region.
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