Saraurko

Experience indigenous culture at this women-led community hotel

Basic information

Experience

Sleep

Impact

Directly impacted families:

Start collaboration:

2019

Project description

There are often few development opportunities for indigenous communities, and for Saraurko in southern Ecuador the situation is no different. As a result, communities around the village of Saraguro have taken their future into their own hands, providing development opportunities for both women and young people, thus creating a viable alternative for young people leaving their ancestral lands in search of employment. Through tourism, these indigenous communities are reclaiming their indigenous identity with the aim of developing together as a community, promoting their culture and sharing it with tourists. Many of the project leaders are not leaders within their community, allowing them a new perspective on how to develop their community-based tourism project.

Travelers visiting Saraurko can enjoy traditional meals and accommodation at an indigenous-owned hotel, take part in a cultural ceremony to repay the land as well as nature tours to local beauty spots, including waterfalls, mountains and caves. Visitors also have the opportunity to visit artisans’ houses, where they can learn more about local crafts and sample beer at an indigenous craft brewery.

Involvement of V Social

Supporting Saraurko since March 2019, the VSocial Foundation has helped the community obtain its community tourism certification, and financed training and workshops to help develop the project and strengthen its tourist services. By connecting the social project with international tour operators, VSocial has also been able to increase the number of travelers to the project.

Directly impacted families:

Start collaboration:

2019

Support for Saraurko

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 at the first V Social Encounter

Nov 2023

Lauro, member of Saraurko, 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 3,000 - Supply of construction materials + barista workshop + website improvement

Jul 2023

The needs of the Saraurko project were identified, and it was agreed that the training in gastronomy, the renovation of the website and the improvement of some bathrooms were the priority to improve the touristic service for the network of communities that benefit from the project.

Your impact

Saraguro

Country: Ecuador

The Saraurko community tourism project directly benefits more than 20 families, all from different communities, with another 50 families benefiting indirectly through a ripple effect of secondary services. By creating a cross-community network of projects, Saraurko is thus able to have a much broader impact on the wider community, improving both the infrastructure and wellbeing of local, indigenous communities.

Their story

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