JoAnne's Achuar Project
Donation protected
Who will benefit: The Achuar People
My name is JoAnne Mowczko. I am a retired biology and anthropology educator, holding a doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction. On March 2, 2017, at the invitation of the Achuar people, I will be traveling to the Ecuadorian rainforest to initiate a second collaborative project with indigenous writers to “tell their stories” about a primitive culture attempting to preserve their way of life and protect their forest. Ideally, I could collaborate with the Achuar using 20th Century technology. However, since the communities do not have Internet, mail service, or electricity, I must to go in person to gather the needed information. I am seeking your assistance to help defray the costs of my self-funded research project. Time is of the essence. I am obligated to travel to the communities when it is convenient for my Achuar hosts. March is the month they will be available to work with me.
Backstory
In 2011, with authorization of the Achuar nation, I traveled alone to the Kapawi Ecolodge in the Ecuadorian rainforest and spent 7 weeks doing field research intended to document and reveal the culture of these indigenous people. It was a self-funded academic research project delivering a draft manuscript to them. However, they wanted to go one step further making the information available to a greater audience. In March 2014, at the request of the Achuar nation, I published my research results in a non-fiction book entitled “The Achuar of the Pastaza River: A Glimpse into their Rainforest World” , documenting the present day life and culture of the Achuar. Utilizing Amazon.com, steady sales of books have been purchased worldwide, with proceeds going to TUNA, an Achuar secondary school.
Seeing the success of publication, the Achuar became inspired to further document their culture utilizing native writers to “tell their stories”. They approached me to assist them to write “from their perspective” and to publish using my book as a base. I agreed and will return to the Ecuadorian rainforest, live with people in three different communities, and engage in collaborative writing.
Benefit
The work is expected to have two major outcomes: 1) document and publish actual stories written by native individuals; 2) create a published royalty revenue stream which will assist them in their plight to achieve improved education (especially for Achuar women). This, in turn, is expected to enable them to deal with the intrusion of industrial organizations and NGO’s. Finally, additional funds will help improve and modernize technology in their educational systems.
It’s hard to believe that these projects evolved from a casual tourist visit to the Kapawi Ecolodge with my husband several years ago. Upon returning home, I realized how little I knew about Achuar culture and how threatened and vulnerable they are with exposure to Western civilization. Little information about the Achuar was available at the time and I believed that documenting their culture would provide a resource for Eco-tourists and funds for their schools. The results of my initial project have far exceeded my expectations.
Need for funding
After agreeing to undertake this project, I came to the realization that financial times have changed dramatically over the last five years since my first research travel. I find it increasingly challenging to self-fund this project. Thus, I need to ask your assistance to help fund the continuation of this writing project. Additionally, my hosts have requested that proceeds from writing their stories in a new book be divided among Achuar schools in the Pastaza area.
I have a good track record for accomplishing what I start out to do and I expect that your support will be worthwhile. I am passionate about this project. Despite my “senior” age status, I have the energy, the expertise and the determination to accomplish it. Together we can help the Achuar have the future that they dream about. The Achuar wish to preserve their way of life and protect their forest but they realize that their children will need new skills to successfully deal with outside forces. The Achuar believe that education is the future of their tribe. I think you will find it gratifying knowing your participation in this project will be helping the Achuar.
How the funds will be used
The funds will be used for travel costs associated with visiting three remote Achuar communities located in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Once in Ecuador, travel to Kapawi, Wachirpas and Pukuan requires air travel (there are no roads). Any overage will be used to further this project.
Basic Expenses (Approximate)
Travel and lodging
Flight to Quito, Ecuador 1,100.00
Second suitcase (Achuar supplies) 100.00
Quito lodging 250.00
Flight and lodging Pastaza province 1,700.00
Community travel (fuel) and food 350.00
Flight to Pukuan 560.00
Flight to Shell 560.00
Ecuador baggage fees (4 flights) 350.00
Immunizations
Yellow fever 160.00
Japanese encephalitis 300.00
Typhoid fever 130.00
Rabies 310.00
Tetanus (T-dap) 60.00
Malaria Rx 70.00
Total $ 6,000.00
I ask that you please forward this request to others that might support this project.
Thank you for any and all support.
Warm regards,
JoAnne
My name is JoAnne Mowczko. I am a retired biology and anthropology educator, holding a doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction. On March 2, 2017, at the invitation of the Achuar people, I will be traveling to the Ecuadorian rainforest to initiate a second collaborative project with indigenous writers to “tell their stories” about a primitive culture attempting to preserve their way of life and protect their forest. Ideally, I could collaborate with the Achuar using 20th Century technology. However, since the communities do not have Internet, mail service, or electricity, I must to go in person to gather the needed information. I am seeking your assistance to help defray the costs of my self-funded research project. Time is of the essence. I am obligated to travel to the communities when it is convenient for my Achuar hosts. March is the month they will be available to work with me.
Backstory
In 2011, with authorization of the Achuar nation, I traveled alone to the Kapawi Ecolodge in the Ecuadorian rainforest and spent 7 weeks doing field research intended to document and reveal the culture of these indigenous people. It was a self-funded academic research project delivering a draft manuscript to them. However, they wanted to go one step further making the information available to a greater audience. In March 2014, at the request of the Achuar nation, I published my research results in a non-fiction book entitled “The Achuar of the Pastaza River: A Glimpse into their Rainforest World” , documenting the present day life and culture of the Achuar. Utilizing Amazon.com, steady sales of books have been purchased worldwide, with proceeds going to TUNA, an Achuar secondary school.
Seeing the success of publication, the Achuar became inspired to further document their culture utilizing native writers to “tell their stories”. They approached me to assist them to write “from their perspective” and to publish using my book as a base. I agreed and will return to the Ecuadorian rainforest, live with people in three different communities, and engage in collaborative writing.
Benefit
The work is expected to have two major outcomes: 1) document and publish actual stories written by native individuals; 2) create a published royalty revenue stream which will assist them in their plight to achieve improved education (especially for Achuar women). This, in turn, is expected to enable them to deal with the intrusion of industrial organizations and NGO’s. Finally, additional funds will help improve and modernize technology in their educational systems.
It’s hard to believe that these projects evolved from a casual tourist visit to the Kapawi Ecolodge with my husband several years ago. Upon returning home, I realized how little I knew about Achuar culture and how threatened and vulnerable they are with exposure to Western civilization. Little information about the Achuar was available at the time and I believed that documenting their culture would provide a resource for Eco-tourists and funds for their schools. The results of my initial project have far exceeded my expectations.
Need for funding
After agreeing to undertake this project, I came to the realization that financial times have changed dramatically over the last five years since my first research travel. I find it increasingly challenging to self-fund this project. Thus, I need to ask your assistance to help fund the continuation of this writing project. Additionally, my hosts have requested that proceeds from writing their stories in a new book be divided among Achuar schools in the Pastaza area.
I have a good track record for accomplishing what I start out to do and I expect that your support will be worthwhile. I am passionate about this project. Despite my “senior” age status, I have the energy, the expertise and the determination to accomplish it. Together we can help the Achuar have the future that they dream about. The Achuar wish to preserve their way of life and protect their forest but they realize that their children will need new skills to successfully deal with outside forces. The Achuar believe that education is the future of their tribe. I think you will find it gratifying knowing your participation in this project will be helping the Achuar.
How the funds will be used
The funds will be used for travel costs associated with visiting three remote Achuar communities located in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Once in Ecuador, travel to Kapawi, Wachirpas and Pukuan requires air travel (there are no roads). Any overage will be used to further this project.
Basic Expenses (Approximate)
Travel and lodging
Flight to Quito, Ecuador 1,100.00
Second suitcase (Achuar supplies) 100.00
Quito lodging 250.00
Flight and lodging Pastaza province 1,700.00
Community travel (fuel) and food 350.00
Flight to Pukuan 560.00
Flight to Shell 560.00
Ecuador baggage fees (4 flights) 350.00
Immunizations
Yellow fever 160.00
Japanese encephalitis 300.00
Typhoid fever 130.00
Rabies 310.00
Tetanus (T-dap) 60.00
Malaria Rx 70.00
Total $ 6,000.00
I ask that you please forward this request to others that might support this project.
Thank you for any and all support.
Warm regards,
JoAnne
Organizer
JoAnne Mowczko
Organizer
Yuma, AZ
