Category: Français

Learning while working alongside nature’s caretaker

Matias on the left and Hope on the right.

Many of the Tandana Foundation volunteers, who have come to Ecuador on Gardening Volunteer Ventures since 2013 as well as other programs, have worked alongside Matias Perugachi and learned how to grow plants, raise crops and nurture trees in our joint efforts to make the area more productive and sustainable. We have planted trees on hillsides to break the wind and along community streets to add greenery and purify the air. We have planted gardens at the community’s health center and schools to improve nutrition, and we have worked in the fields to plant and tend crops to provide food. Continue reading “Learning while working alongside nature’s caretaker”

Checking in on the Olouguelemo Association’s tree nurseries

Tree nursery managers with their seedlings.

In the rural Malian township of Wadouba, members of the Olouguelemo Association take care of tree nurseries that they established to combat the effects of deforestation and desertification. These nurseries allow them to produce new trees to be planted both in their protected forest areas and in farmers fields. Not only do the new trees benefit the environment, but they also provide fruit to the local communities. The Tandana Foundation assists the village-run association in caring for their nurseries through providing training and other resources. Below, two Olouguelemo members each describe the goals, productivity, and associated benefits of the tree nurseries they oversee. Continue reading “Checking in on the Olouguelemo Association’s tree nurseries”

Dreams become possible through education

Gladys (derecha) después de graduarse con otros estudiantes

My name is Gladys Estefania Torres Imba. I am 20 years old and I live with my parents and my three brothers, 3 kilometers from the city of Otavalo, in the community of Panecillo. I am the only daughter in my family . My father is a bricklayer and my mother is a housewife. She did not have the opportunity to go to school, and my father only went to school until third grade, which is why he works in that profession. However, they have worked hard so that my brothers and I can receive an education. All my brothers are studying at school. One of my brothers receives a scholarship from the Tandana Foundation, just like me. Being the only daughter, I am the first in the family that is going forward with university studies.

Continue reading “Dreams become possible through education”

Advocating for gender equality in local elections

During a series of workshops on women’s leadership sponsored by The Tandana Foundation and made possible through support from Dining for Women, participants learned how to form and lead women’s associations and also shared their experiences in leadership. In rural regions of Mali, women are rarely well represented in township councils. To encourage more women to seek these community leadership positions, Oumou Kansaye used examples from her experience in politics to inspire other women during one of the workshops. In the following, Oumou Kansaye tells her story, including desribing a speech where she argued for the equal treatment of female leaders from rural communities. Continue reading “Advocating for gender equality in local elections”

Assisting a health center in providing services to the community

Through its health program in Ecuador, The Tandana Foundation works with the Quichinche Subcentro, a rural health center in Ecuador, to support its work caring for the people of the parish. Tandana collaborates with its staff to visit the more distant communities, to follow up with patients identified during these visits who need additional care, and also to support the staff’s health education work. The following is the story written about a recent collaboration by the director of the Subcentro. Continue reading “Assisting a health center in providing services to the community”

Motilón Chupa: a diverse community based on collaboration

Members of the Tandana Foundation, along with volunteers from the Ohio Master Gardener program and from several U.S. universities have recently traveled to Motilón Chupa, Ecuador, to collaborate with community members on several projects. These projects included installing a water tank to improve the community’s irrigation system and planting a garden near the school. The following is a story written by Motilón Chupa’s president about the history of the community, its diverse people, and how Tandana’s staff and volunteer support helps them achieve the residents’ long-term goals. Continue reading “Motilón Chupa: a diverse community based on collaboration”

Meet Tandana’s Savings for Change Trainer

The following is the story of Tandana’s  Savings For Change (SFC) trainer Moussa Tembiné. The SFC program is a savings and credit program for women that the Tandana Foundation has helped establish in many communities in Mali. Through this program, women are able to pool their savings and take out loans to assist them in starting or expanding micro-businesses.

Continue reading “Meet Tandana’s Savings for Change Trainer”

Working at the weather station

The following is a story by Galo José Perugachi Suarez about his life and work at a weather station in Ecuador. The Tandana Foundation has collaborated with Galo on the creation of a self-guided eco-trail and on planting trees and flowers at the weather station. In turn, Galo often educates the foundation’s volunteers about his observations at the station and the work that he does.
Continue reading “Working at the weather station”

Fixing the roof of Padre Chupa’s community school

For many years, the Tandana Foundation has partnered with the members of the community of Padre Chupa to carry out community projects, such as the roof repair that Segundo writes about.

In a very remote area, approximately 25 kilometers from the city of Otavalo, a small community called Padre Chupa is located, which is home to more than 40 families.

Continue reading “Fixing the roof of Padre Chupa’s community school”

A woman leading by example to inspire others

 

The following is a letter written by Kessia Kouriba, a teacher in the women’s literacy program sponsored by the Tandana Foundation with support from Dining for Women in partnership with the Alpha Formation Traduction et Conception Documentaire au Pays Dogon (AFTCD/PD), a technical linguistic service in Bandiagara, Mali.  Kessia highlights the importance of women taking leadership roles and overcoming traditional gender barriers, just as she has done.

Hello members and supporters of the Tandana Foundation, Continue reading “A woman leading by example to inspire others”

Planting seeds, growing friendships

You won’t find Motilón Chupa on Google Maps. This indigenous Kichwa community high in the Andes in the far reaches of Imbabura Province of Ecuador is literally and figuratively at the end of the road. The community is a tight-knit group of people, living in isolated small houses on steep hillsides with no public buildings other than the elementary school. Continue reading “Planting seeds, growing friendships”

Many thanks from a University graduate

 

Dear godparents and Tandana Foundation members,

My name is David Cachimuel and I was a Tandana scholarship student. This scholarship has supported me since I started at the university, and now thanks to the support, I’ve finished my university studies. I’m the youngest child of a family with five siblings, and the first one to obtain a university degree, which represents a lot of pride for my family because finally someone in the family has a university degree.
Continue reading “Many thanks from a University graduate”

Joining together to keep a special teacher in rural Mali

Elé is from the village of Dianweli, about 7 km from Yarou-Plateau. He attended secondary school in Bourgouma, 3 km from his village. He is certified with a technician’s diploma (BT) from the professional school of Kayes in western Mali.

Elé composed the following passage about his experience as a subidized teacher and how the Tandana Foundation teamed with the local residents to ensure he was able to receive payment for his work and stay teaching in rural Yarou-Plateau. Continue reading “Joining together to keep a special teacher in rural Mali”

Becoming family in Ecuador

I quickly grew attached to my host family while living in Ecuador as a volunteer for the Tandana Foundation. My host sister, who is eight years old, was a very easy first connection to make. She loves to play games and is extremely bright, and within a few hours of my arrival we were already “muy amigas.” Continue reading “Becoming family in Ecuador”

Teaching literacy to empower women in Mali

Tembel Bamia, President of the women of Assa

Being able to read words and understand numbers help women in Mali shop at the market independently and succeed in their work. The Tandana Foundation has partnered with members of 30 villages to establish literacy and numeracy classes – thanks to support from Dining for Women – that teach women to read, recognize numbers and count, improving their abilities to support their families. Below are comments from two women whose lives have changed through their participation in these classes. Continue reading “Teaching literacy to empower women in Mali”

Paving a safer pathway outside Muenala’s community center

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In the remote areas of Ecuador, approximately 35 kilometers from the center of San Jose Parish in Quichinche, a small community called Muenala is located. There are more than 30 families living here and we also have a community council. My name is Martha Lanchimba and I am the president of the community. Continue reading “Paving a safer pathway outside Muenala’s community center”

Inside successful community environmental protection in Wadouba, Mali

To address the challenges of deforestation and desertification, 15 villages in the Wadouba Township of Mali have come together to discuss and make decisions about protecting the environment. The Tandana Foundation supports the locally-run Olouguelemo environmental protection association. The following are thoughts from two association members on how their work has benefited the community.
Continue reading “Inside successful community environmental protection in Wadouba, Mali”

Villagers praise new well in Ologuiné, Mali

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Hama Guindo, ancien secrétaire général de la jeunesse de Ologuiné: aujourd’hui, si vous me demandez de parler mon impression de ce puits, je ne vais pas finir maintenant. Avant la population d’Ologuiné vivais d’eau de rivières ou dans les marres qui se trouvent dans le jardin de maraichage, les animaux du village de Ologuiné, Orsongho, Kani Gogouna et Gagnaga tous venaient boire dans ses rivières et aussi c’est un lieu où les femmes font leur lessive. Continue reading “Villagers praise new well in Ologuiné, Mali”

Meet Mario: A Scholarship Student Excelling in His Studies

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Mario con su madre y hermana

Por Mario Esteban Perugachi Perugachi

Soy Mario Esteban Perugachi Perugachi, tengo 29 años. Mi familia está conformada por mi esposa, mi hija y yo. Actualmente vivimos en la ciudad de Quito por motivos de trabajo, pero nosotros pertenecemos a la comunidad de Agualongo, lo que queda aproximadamente a 5 kilómetros de la ciudad de Otavalo. Para la mantención de mi hogar y mis estudios, trabajo haciendo mantenimiento de jardín. Aunque requiere mucho esfuerza y por el momento soy el único en la familia que sigue los estudios, estoy orgullosamente estudiando con el apoyo de Tandana y la motivación de la familia. Continue reading “Meet Mario: A Scholarship Student Excelling in His Studies”

Inauguration of the Multipurpose Building in Guachinguero

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the multipurpose building in Guachinguero

Compilado por Margarita Fuerez

La parroquia rural San José de Quichinche es la más grande del cantón Otavalo, tanto por el número de comunidades que tiene como por ser la Parroquia con más extensión de territorio por lo cual las comunidades se encuentran muy dispersas. Continue reading “Inauguration of the Multipurpose Building in Guachinguero”

A Doctor Learns From Her Patients on a Health Care Volunteer Vacation

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Kristin types notes in her patients’ medical records

By Kristin Linzmeyer

As a medical subspecialist here in the U.S., I was not convinced I would have anything to offer patients arriving at the clinics in the communities outside of Otavalo. I felt a little like an imposter at first, wanting to help but not really understanding what it is that they needed. I ended up learning more from my patients than they learned from me. Continue reading “A Doctor Learns From Her Patients on a Health Care Volunteer Vacation”

The Tangali Dairy Association – A Dream Come True

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Avelino Antamba, president of the Dairy Association of Tangalí

Por Avelino Antamba

En la parroquia de Quichinche, aproximadamente a 12.5 kilómetros desde la ciudad de Otavalo, se ubica una comunidad llamada Tangalí. Actualmente somos 144 familias, nuestro territorio es extenso y, por esta razón, las casas se encuentran muy dispersas. Continue reading “The Tangali Dairy Association – A Dream Come True”

Things That Happen in the Night – An Anecdote From Ecuador

NateBy Nate Cordick

One night, I was walking to the bathroom from the main house when I heard a strange noise. It sounded like an animal was moving through a bush, but it sounded too big to be one of the family dogs. I walked around to the back of the bathroom and almost jumped when I saw what was staring back at me; a pig. Continue reading “Things That Happen in the Night – An Anecdote From Ecuador”

Moving Mountains– Literally

cancha REACH playingBy Shannon Cantor

I recommend that you travel to the highlands of Ecuador, to the small city of Otavalo. From the terminal—its own chaos of moving people, cars, and shouts—take an old, blue bus parked in the third row from the right-hand side, with a sign in the window marked “Quichinche.” Get off after about 25 minutes, when you reach the last stop. Walk half an hour, straight up hill, through cow fields and a eucalyptus forest. Only then will you find yourself in the community of Agualongo de Quichinche. Continue reading “Moving Mountains– Literally”

Meet Yarick: A Scholarship Student Who Is the First in His Family to Attend University

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Yarick Santiago Méndez Fuerez

Por Yarick Santiago Méndez Fuerez

Mi nombre es Yarick Santiago Méndez Fuerez. Tengo 21 años. Vivo en la ciudad de Quito por cuestiones del estudio, pero soy de la comunidad de Motilón Chupa, la cual se ubica a 35 Kms. de la ciudad de Otavalo. Mi familia se conforma por tres hijas, tres hijos y mis padres, yo soy el segundo hijo y el primero de la familia que estoy en la universidad. Continue reading “Meet Yarick: A Scholarship Student Who Is the First in His Family to Attend University”

Learning by Doing: An Internship with Tandana

Camille6By Camille Greenfield

I must say it is hard to pick one moment that best describes my time with Tandana, as a part of the horticultural internship. However, there is one memory in particular that occurred in the first few weeks, which would have a major impact on my future projects. Continue reading “Learning by Doing: An Internship with Tandana”

Tandana Listens and Now Two Patients Can Hear Again

Gloria (a la izquierda) con Virginia

Por Virginia Sánchez

Coordinadora de Seguimiento de Pacientes

Creo que nunca me cansaré de decir lo afortunada que soy con mi trabajo de Coordinadora de Seguimiento de Pacientes, con la oportunidad que tenemos en la Fundación Tandana de colaborar para poder cambiar el futuro de muchas personas con nuestro trabajo diario, con las conversaciones con nuestros pacientes que no solamente tienen que ver con la enfermedad que les aqueja, sino con su entorno familiar, con los problemas con los que deben batallar día a día para poder conseguir su alimento diario, el pasaje para que sus hijos puedan seguir estudiando y puedan lograr las anheladas metas que la mayoría de veces se ven truncadas por la falta de salud, de medios económicos. De grandes o pequeños problemas en la familia, en fin mi trabajo me facilita el poder contribuir al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de muchos pacientes. Continue reading “Tandana Listens and Now Two Patients Can Hear Again”

Parents and Volunteers Build a Wall to Protect Bilingual School

Tandana estudiantes voluntarios ayudando a terminar la pared

Por Rosa Saravino

Mi nombre es Rosa Saravino soy Directora de la Escuela Intercultural Bilingüe “Ati Pillahuasu,” que pertenece a la comunidad de Panecillo. Yo no soy de esta comunidad pero trabajo más de 30 años en este lugar y conozco a la mayoría de los padres de familia y ellos a mi. Esta escuelita empezó con dos profesores en el año de 1980 más o menos y con una cantidad de 15 estudiantes aproximadamente, estas clases para los primeros estudiantes de la comunidad funcionaba en una casa comunal muy antiguo, en un solo aula, con sus mesas y sillas improvisadas, conforme aumentaron mas estudiantes, la comunidad ha logrado conseguir una casa con dos aulas, después una casa más, así poco a poco la escuela se ha construido con ayudas por parte del gobierno, de otros fundaciones y organizaciones. Continue reading “Parents and Volunteers Build a Wall to Protect Bilingual School”

Olouguelemo Association Committee Members Reflect on its Environmental Initiatives

Olouguelemo committee members

The Olouguelemo Environmental Association, with which Tandana has partnered since its inception, is made up of 15 member villages in Mali. Each member village selects committee members, who represent their village at meetings of the whole association. Continue reading “Olouguelemo Association Committee Members Reflect on its Environmental Initiatives”

New Foot Prosthesis Puts A Spring In Richard’s Step

 

Richard y su madre

Por Richard Jesus Almeida Bravo

Soy Richard Jesus Almeida Bravo y el primer hijo, tengo 21 años, y hace dos años termine mis estudios del colegio en carrera de Contabilidad y Administración (polivalente), actualmente no estoy en ninguna institución, somos de etnia mestizo, mi familia esta conformada por mi madre Luz Bravo, mi padre Domingo Almeida y mi hermana Joselyn, vivimos en una casa arrendada, de la familia trabaja solo mi padre para sustentar a la familia. Mi hermana recibe beca de Tandana. Continue reading “New Foot Prosthesis Puts A Spring In Richard’s Step”

Tangali and Tandana Team up to Build a Community Kitchen

La iglesia de la comunidad de Tangali.

Por Margarita Fuerez

El día lunes, 17 de Julio se realizó una primera reunión entre integrantes del cabildo de la comunidad de Tangalì y representantes de la Fundación Tandana Ecuador. En este encuentro el presidente de la comunidad, Marcelo Pineda, expuso sobre el deseo de la comunidad de ejecutar un proyecto con el apoyo de la Fundación Tandana y un grupo de Voluntarios que visitarán la comunidad. Por parte de la Fundación están presentes Don Vicente Pazmiño, encargado de proyectos comunitarios, Verónica Pazmiño y Ximena Buller quienes van a estar juntas con el grupo apoyando durante su estancia en el país y Herman Snel subdirector de programas. Todos están presentes para escuchar cual es el pedido de la comunidad y cuál es la necesidad de realizar esta obra. Continue reading “Tangali and Tandana Team up to Build a Community Kitchen”

Scholarship Shifts Sorrows to Smiles

 

Josué David López Perugachi en 2017

Por Josué David López Perugachi

Mi nombre es Josué David López Perugachi, tengo 17 años, estudiante becado de la Fundación Tandana. Estoy en el último curso del colegio en la Unidad Educativa Otavalo y la carrera que estoy siguiendo es Físico Matemático. De la familia soy el segundo hijo y el único hombre. Tengo una hermana mayor y tres hermanas menores, vivo con mis cuatro hermanas y mis padres. Somos siete personas en la familia. Mi hermana mayor ya termino el colegio y se graduó también con la ayuda de Tandana. Continue reading “Scholarship Shifts Sorrows to Smiles”

More Than One Home

Melissa (right) with her Tandana host mother

By Melissa Seehausen

During Tandana Orientation, I almost always volunteered to introduce the Tandana blog and find a volunteer from the group to write a blog post. “It’ll be fun and easy!” I sang.

To all those who I placated with this claim, consider this my formal apology.

I returned from Otavalo, Ecuador, from Tandana, and my host families eight weeks ago.

I have started this blog post seven times. Continue reading “More Than One Home”

Meet Trinidad: A Scholarship Student Who Knows Knowledge Can Break the Chains of Slavery

Hace 6 años empezó realmente la mejor parte de mi vida, una mañana tuve que empacar, para comenzar un nuevo viaje mi maleta repleta de tristeza, de angustia, de miedo, de sueños y la esperanza de mis padres; dos maestros que con su humilde sueldo sacaban a sus 4 hijos adelante, paso el tiempo y jamás olvide la promesa de regresar convertida en una gran mujer. Continue reading “Meet Trinidad: A Scholarship Student Who Knows Knowledge Can Break the Chains of Slavery”