1. SARAYACU JATUN MINGAY KAPARI
[Literal translation-Sarayacu All Together Shout for Life]
2. Purpose of grant,
The purpose of the grant is to support the struggle of the Sarayacu Community
(indigenous Kichwa) who are a traditional community in the Amazon Rainforest
of Ecuador. The Sarayacu Community has been so far resisting the incursion and
invasion of an Oil Company Consortium (CGC/BurlingtonResources/ChevronTexaco)
and is in great need of financial assistance to continue to defend our sacred
lands that have never been logged, mined or exploited in any way. This land
is virgin rainforest high in biodiversity in fauna and flora. Within Sarayacu
Territory exist a unique lake zone of approximately 100 lakes that are considered
sacred. Sarayacu Community is primarily an agricultural, fishing and farming
community so funds are desperately needed to be able to be effective. The community
is facing human rights abuses for defending its land, way of self-subsistence
lifestyle and culture.
3. Concrete activities that will be sponsored by the grant
Dialogue and Connections and Networking
The activities that will be sponsored by the grant are the costs of flights
for the leaders and elders that have been in dialogue with Ministers of the
Ecuadorian government in an attempt to solve this dilemma. This is of vital
importance as there is a real danger that the military at the oil consortium's
urging will become involved in repressing the people and violating human rights.
The Sarayacu leaders and elders need to take the flights due to safety reasons
to the nearest city of Puyo in order to reach the Capital of Quito. Normally,
travel by canoe takes 3 days. Travel by canoe is no longer safe or viable as
there have been explicit death threats to these leaders by pro-oil members of
other communities along the same river and the leaders need to pass these remote
areas in order to reach Puyo, as well passage for any members of Sarayacu has
been blocked. Filing expenses & basic starting costs for lawyers also need
to be covered. These leaders and elders would include:
Franco Viteri- Sarayacu President
Mario Santi- Coordinator Jatun Mingay Campaign
Jose Gualinga- Internal Relations
Sabino Gualinga- Yachak, Leader of the Elders
An important section of the connections and networking is actually done overseas
in New York City, where 2 International Representatives of Sarayacu Community,
are stationed. Being placed there gives the good advantage of being able to
cut down on costs involved in contacting and communicating and networking with
the various human rights & environmental ngo's, organizations and individuals
as well as giving advantage to be able to meet in person. Conferences and talks
are also given to raise and increase awareness, visibility and support. Various
support is raised such as economic, moral and active support. These 2 representatives
stay in contact with the community through leaders in Puyo city via internet
and phone. Currently, these representatives are also in process of organizing
an International Gathering of Solidary Organizations & Individuals to take
place in Sarayacu. Media contacts outside of Ecuador, press releases, action
alerts and monthly updates are also handled by the representatives. The activities
sponsored by the grant will be a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with the lawyer
group of an organization (CEJIL) that will bring forth the Sarayacu case before
the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. Also operating support of the
Campaign is necessary for the costs incurred such as phone, internet, travel
expenses and office supplies necessary to bring forth the work.
Juan Gualinga- International Representative
Karen Marrero- International Representative
4. Background on applicant (previous work in this or related areas).
Tayja Saruta Sarayacu is the traditional governing association of Sarayacu Community.
The leaders of Sarayacu with it's team of trusted assistants are the most indicated
to carry forth this work as they are in the position as leaders of the community.
It has so far successfully carried forward the first 2 parts of the Campaign
focused on the safeguarding of it's rainforest territories. It's financial accounting
in 2001 has been picked to serve as an example of "model reporting"
by Global Greengrants Foundation. Other related work developed in the community
includes bilingual education, a sustainable community eco-tourism program and
a program in raising tapirs.
5. Budget
*SEE ATTACHED FULL BUDGET IF NECESARY*
All Sarayacu leaders, elders and representatives work on a voluntary basis,
however, expenses need to be covered in order for the work to be realized. Full
budget is included, of which a partial NEBF $10,000 grant was won in October
2001, ($8,000 to base in Ecuador & $2,000 for international section). However
support from Grassroots Foundation is VITAL, as these items were not covered
in the original budget or proposal won. A budget section for support from Grassroots
Foundation is specifically included below.
SARAYACU JATUN MINGAY KAPARI BUDGET,
Travel expenses for Leaders & Elders
2 flights DAO Sarayacu-Puyo-Puyo- Sarayacu $800
1 flight A-TUR partial for Sarayacu-Puyo $150
Legal Expenses
Payment to Lawyer $150
Phone costs for campaign $400
Internet Connection $150
Office supplies (printer ribbon, paper, fax film, etc) $100
Transportation costs to meetings with organizations $100
NY-Washington D.C.-NY (Inter-Am Com Human Rights Trip)
Roundtrip 2 people by bus (2 x$79) $158
Local Train Metro roundtrip $6
Local Train in Wash D.C. roundtrip $4.40
Logistics $16
Total $2,034.40
6. Name, address and bank details of applicant.
*Tayja Saruta Sarayacu Community
Puyo Province of Pastaza, Ecuador, South America
http://www.sarayacu.com
Sarayacu@sarayacu.com
Phone 5933-883-875 or 5933-886-978
Mailing Address
*Sarayacu International Office
400 Ft Washington Ave. Apt#6A
N.Y., N.Y. 10033 USA
212-781-1462
If Grassroots Foundation can assist us with our noble cause, we would like to request international transfer of $1,100 to Banco Del Austro account #1601144-4 and $934.40 to Apple Bank account #400826734.
BANK DETAILS
Bank Name: Banco del Austro, Puyo Agency-Ecuador
Bank Address: Atahualpa 10 de Agosto, Puyo-Pastaza, Ecuador
Acct# 1601144-4
Name of Account: Mario Santi & Sabina Bouchat
You might need this info too:
Citibank (correspondent bank for Banco de Austro)
36148891
ABA# 021000089
Bank Name: Apple Bank (Branch #4)
Bank Address: 708 West 181st St
NY, NY 10033-7202 United States
Phone (212)-927-6440
Name of Account: Tayja Saruta Sarayacu Community
Account # 400826734
ABA # 226070584