Philanthropy
We give back to the jungle and its people
Urku Runa is our local Native partner with whom we have a mutually desired, exclusive agreement. We have chosen this partner based on a many years long friendship between us and the leaders of this organization. The organization has as its goal the protection and conservation of their natural habitat, as well as maintaining the customs and knowledge of their native community.
Kuntur Journeys has financed the building of the Center, however we do not have ownership of anything on the Center. Urku Runa has insisted to pay us back, and they have a no-interest loan without deadline.
Everything you will see is owned by the natives. This project stimulates the local economy as everything is bought locally, and the people that work here are from the immediate area. In the past, the only money that could be earned was by going to the big cities, or by working for the destroyers of the rain forest. We are changing this by giving them the opportunity to work directly or indirectly for this project.
Status Feb. 2008: The natives are intensively building new structures, many of the locals are employed in the project. An educational program will soon start to add new staff. Provisions are also being made so that local shops can provide the necessities for the Center. Local artists are creating their art for decorations of the accommodations. We expect the elegant 16 room Maloka, foot-bridge, kitchen and out-door dining facility to be completed end of April 2008.
Status Feb. 2008: The building project is ready however we are still building on the park. Several people have a steady job however as we recently have started earning have yet to be generated. we have initiaded the reforestation of the trees we have used (100x) and have planted trees for use in the future. We have started a pilot project for reproducted of fish, we start with 3 ponds and a lake for recreative purposes. when we have the experience, we will expand to commercial growth of fish and thus created more jobs and economical activities. Furthermore we have initiated a honey production proyect to start with 5 colonies for our own honey production. There is an existing cacao production we will initiate the making of cacao butter and own brand chocolate. Other project will be a chicken farm and further coffee production for use for the tourists on the Maloca lodge and park.
St
atus Okt. 2008: The little trees are in a protected area, in the image below you see the young Killib
ordon trees, there are about 500 in the area. we have only used 20 trees for the constuction. The trees will be take care off for the next couple of years until the are strong enough the survive on their own.