CONAPAC is another organization that has played a major role in the Amazon Project Term experience for many years. CONAPAC stands for the Conservation of Nature Association of Peruvian Amazon Culture. It’s dedicated to protecting the Peruvian Amazon and promoting conservation efforts in the region through its Adopt-A-School program, installing clean water systems, and sustainable development projects. CONAPAC has conservation agreements with rural communities in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, requesting that each community dedicate itself to the well-being of its environment and the development of its community. In return, they offer a variety of education and action-based programs to help both educators and communities thrive. Working with CONAPAC this year has shown us how important partnership is, especially through the community project we took part in, which you'll hear more about later in the magazine!
Roldan Hildago was our guide during our nine days in the Amazon, however, he was so much more than that. Roldan has been a part of the Peru Project Term experience for twenty years, and has played such an important role in what we take away from our time there. He is the embodiment of what it feels like to be in the rainforest, and he taught us what it truly means to be family in such a short amount of time. The stories he shared with us and his vulnerability opened us up to so much, which created an environment of love everywhere he went. He was there with us every step of the way, laughing with us, translating for us, educating us, sharing with us, and allowing us to be our authentic selves. Everyone deserves a Roldan in their lives, and we are so grateful to say that he will be a part of ours forever. He is a leader, mentor, life lesson coach and friend!
EKOAMAZON is an non-profit organization created by Mr. Rossi, Claire Kurnick (‘14), Liesl Eschbach (‘14), and Brenna MacArthur (‘14), who were a part of the Peru Project Term experience in 2014. Since then, EKOAMAZON has been a part of our journey to the Amazon each year, helping us create educational opportunities to sustain life in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. This organization emphasises partnership across both sides of the equator, allowing us to work together with the communities in Peru to create opportunities to florish for all. The Cultural Strengthening Centers we raised money for last year at Night of Exploration were funded by EKOAMAZON, along with the medicinal garden located at Puerta Alegria. This non-profit has been an essential piece of our experience, and has created so many opportunities for both us and the Peruvian communities.