Amupakin

Help preserve traditional indigenous practices with at this homestay in the Amazon rainforest

Basic information

Experience

Sleep

Impact

Start collaboration:

2018

Directly impacted families:

Indirectly impacted families:

Project description

Situated deep within the Amazon rainforest, Amupakin is a women-led birthing center focused on traditional midwifery practices. Conserving indigenous birthing methods that were practiced for centuries until the arrival of Western medicine, Amupakin helps women with natural, vertical births through traditional tools and techniques based on ancestral wisdom handed down for generations, including plant medicines and chants. The center also offers traditional steam baths and traditional medicine to both men and women, as well as the opportunity for tourists to stay at the center and learn about Kichwa culture and gain a deeper understanding of the forest. The homestay experience grants the center economic sustainability, so that it can continue to train women in traditional Kichwa midwifery practices and preserve their indigenous culture.

Travelers visiting Amupakin can enjoy an indigenous homestay experience as well as local meals and nature tours, where they can learn more about traditional midwifery practices and indigenous culture.

Involvement of V Social

Supported by the VSocial Foundation since February 2019, Amupakin has been able to obtain its community tourism certification. In addition, VSocial has helped the center to strengthen its product for tourists, as well as providing technical and administrative training and workshops.

Start collaboration:

2018

Directly impacted families:

Indirectly impacted families:

Support for Amupakin

May 2024

EUR 1,002 - Marketing laboratory Ecuador

May 2024

We conducted a three-day marketing training session with two representatives from each of the six supported community projects from various regions of the country. With this, we aim to support the internationalization of the community projects.

This initiative addressed a key need voiced by the Community-Based Organizations in our network during last year's V-Conecta, our first in-person gathering of Latin American organizations in Colombia. Topics included economic development, market segregation, sales skills, sustainable tourism practices, and cultural, natural, and heritage resources.

We covered travel expenses, food, and participation in the marketing laboratory held in Yunguilla, Ecuador.

Nov 2023

EUR 2,400 - Participation in the first V Social Encounter

Nov 2023

Kelly, young leader at Amupakin, participated in the inaugural annual gathering of projects funded by V Social in Colombia in November. During this event, 16 projects hailing from various corners of Latin America convened in person to engage in discussions about lessons learned and to strategize for the upcoming year, 2024.

Our primary goal was to empower the beneficiaries with a more influential role in decision-making within V Social, allowing them to shape the organization's priorities and focus areas. This approach placed a greater emphasis on the voices of those we serve. Notably, for many participants, this event marks their first opportunity to travel outside their home country, adding an extra layer of significance to this transformative gathering.

The allocated amount for this support is an estimate derived from the total costs incurred in organizing the gathering.

Jul 2023

EUR 2,390 - Kitchen equipment + minor infrastructure adjustments

Jul 2023

Support was provided for the purchase of kitchen equipment and kitchen infrastructure to improve the gastronomic service in the community.

These improvements are not only for the practice of tourism, but also improve the conditions of the kitchen used by the project members.

Your impact

Archidona

Country: Ecuador

More than 35 families directly benefit from this community project by providing services such as accommodation and other tourist-focused natural, cultural and ancestral experiences, with another 12 families benefiting indirectly through the supply chain. But by combining community-based tourism with a traditional midwifery birthing center, Amupakin has a much wider impact, offering employment and training to prevent young people leaving the area in search of opportunity and by preserving indigenous Kichwa practices.

Their story

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