Naku means “forest” in the Sapara language
Naku Foundation grew from my connection with the Sapara community of Llanchamacocha in the Ecuadorian Amazon. I first visited their community in 2013 when they were just beginning their community-based tourism project. Two years later I moved to Ecuador to work more closely with the project. I noticed right away that they had something special in part because so many people who came to visit felt so moved by the experience that they wanted to donate or get involved somehow. However, there wasn’t an easy way to do that. Simultaneously, the community has a lot of energy and passion for different projects, such as protecting their culture, revitalizing their language, improving their livelihoods, and offering high school education. I could see the opportunity for a partnership while also thinking bigger and imagining other communities around the world in a similar situation of wanting to protect their land and culture, while also sharing their knowledge and wisdom with the world.
I have gained so much from my Sapara friends and have witnessed so many other people transform after visiting. It’s become very clear to me that communities such as the Sapara, who are gravely threatened by the “hunger” of modern industrial society for things like oil and timber, and under pressure to assimilate, have something incredibly important to offer the world at this time. They can help us understand what living in balance with nature and ourselves looks like. They can help us reconnect with our ancestral roots to better comprehend the purpose of humans on this planet so as to live more joyfully and create a more harmonious future. They offer an experience of a different way of being, which is incredibly important. Not only is cultural diversity paramount in our world, but valuing and celebrating different ways of being is too.
The goal of Naku Foundation is to follow the guidance of the communities it works with to uplift indigenous and traditional communities to maintain and enhance their way of life in a respectful and appropriate way, and to share their wisdom with the world.
-Jacob Farris, Director
Mission
The mission of Naku Foundation is to support the efforts of indigenous and traditional peoples to maintain and revitalize their culture, through the following:
1. Education – language, development of curriculum, materials, help to establish primary and/or secondary schools
2. Health – maternal health, train community in first aid and other skills
3. Livelihoods – support the development of sustainable local economy such as tourism, agriculture, fishing, handicrafts, etc.
4. Environment – Protect, preserve, regenerate – collecting trash, agroforestry, wildlife corridors, protected areas, etc.
5. Wisdom – trips to the community (cultural immersion), media (photos, videos, audio), written stories (stories of experiences, culture to inspire people)
How We Work
As people from a dominant, imperialist culture, it is important to know that even through the best of intentions, our cultural baggage can still interfere with doing the most good. That is why we take guidance from the communities themselves and let them educate us on what their needs and desires are in order to build trust and develop programs that do the greatest good. So-called “development” work, even if it is done in a respectful way, is long-term and requires patience. One of the most valuable assets is building a trusting relationship with the community so we can work well together.