Sustainable Tourism Empowers Education at School in Puembo

Ecuador boasts immense natural, cultural, and historical riches, yet faces challenges like poverty and limited opportunities. From the start, we aimed to positively impact our society. Through the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education’s Sponsor a School Program, we’ve brought joy and support to hundreds of children in Puembo since June 2022, offering a token of gratitude to the remarkable country enriching our and our clients’ travel experiences with unforgettable memories.

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Sustainable Tourism Builds Brighter Futures

Rebecca Adventure Travel, alongside EcuaFina (Rebecca Adventure Travel’s sister company specializing in responsible trading), is resolute in its mission to generate a positive impact within Ecuadorian communities through education. The Antonio de Ulloa school, located in Puembo, Ecuador, is in urgent need of revitalization. In June 2022, we initiated a crowdfunding campaign to champion this cause. Moreover, our joint efforts in August 2022, uniting Rebecca Adventure Travel, EcuaFina, and local communities, materialized in a voluntary communal undertaking known as a Minga. Shoulder to shoulder with the community, we undertook the task of cleaning, painting, and organizing the school facilities, leading to tangible transformations. However, much work remains, and your contribution to our crowdfunding campaign is invaluable in propelling this endeavor forward. 

Sponsor a School Program

• June 2022: We began our Sponsorship of Antonio de Ulloa School.
• August 2022: We collaborated with volunteers on a remodeling event to improve school facilities.
• December 2022: Our first annual Christmas event featured snacks for the children and educational games for the school.
• June 2023: On Children’s Day, we inaugurated a school library with 400 donated books, complete with a bookshelf.
• December 2023: Our second annual Christmas featured snacks for the children and educational toys for the school.
• June 2024: On our annual Children’s Day event, we taught the children about Galapagos animals with games.
• April 2024: We began offering weekly English lessons taught by an American girl who lives in Puembo with her Ecuadorian husband.

Our Sponsorship

Our commitment to responsible tourism is deeply rooted in uplifting communities. In June 2022, we joined the Sponsor a School program, supporting Puembo’s Antonio de Ulloa School. Just two months later, a transformative remodeling project improved facilities for 300 students. In November, a Christmas celebration brought joy to the kids. 2023 saw us continue the path to elevate education by inaugurating a library on Children’s Day. We closed the year by reprising the Christmas event, gifting educational toys to nurture talents. We hope this becomes an annual tradition in our sponsorship program! Discover more about each initiative below as we strive to enhance education and enrich lives at Antonio de Ulloa School. But first, check out this video of our experience with the children!

Travelers and Communities Collaborate Through Sustainable Tourism

After visiting the school in June 2022 and seeing its needs, Rebecca and her team launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for infrastructure improvements. Thanks to donors from around the world, they were able to take the first step in repairing the school by organizing a minga (collective work) with the local community. In the Ecuadorian highlands, the school year starts in September. To improve Antonio de Ulloa’s facilities before the 2022-2023 school year, the minga was set for August 27th. More than 25 volunteers collaborated to paint and clean the school. Together, our team, faculty, and parents renewed the school for nearly 300 students aged between five and 15.

Renovating Facilities

Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina volunteers started their work at 8:30 AM, equipped with rollers and brushes. Myriam, the school director, divided the tasks into two groups: one for painting and one for garden cleaning. The painting team covered the entrance and walls in white, orange, and light blue, reflecting the school colors. The cleaning team removed weeds, pruned, discarded dry leaves, and wiped down garden furniture. After a snack and bonding time, both teams cleaned and mopped the floors, preparing the school for students to start the new year in September.

Fostering Hope at Christmas

We know that true community impact requires persistence. To continue supporting the kids at Antonio de Ulloa, Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina launched a joint campaign in November 2022 to host a Christmas event for the students of Antonio de Ulloa school. Funds raised were dedicated to providing each child with a special Christmas gift. This gesture of kindness brought immense joy to the children, highlighting how even small contributions can create a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Empowering Education on Children’s Day

On Children’s Day in 2023, Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina united for an inspiring initiative. Through fundraising efforts and the generosity of supporters, they established a school library at Antonio de Ulloa school, enriching the lives of its students. The library, stocked with books and educational resources, was unveiled during a vibrant event featuring clowns and a shared meal. The impact of this effort was profound, demonstrating the power of collective action in nurturing young minds.

How To Be a Responsible Traveler

Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina pledge to achieve four short-term goals:

• Provide technology, connectivity, and school supplies.
• Improve infrastructure for kids.
• Repair and upgrade school facilities.
• Build new additions to school facilities.

As a responsible traveler, you can actively contribute to community development. Here’s how you can help:

• Volunteer as an English teacher. Courses are held in school facilities, allowing you to connect with families and immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture and traditions.
• Donate electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops in good condition.
• Participate in tourism courses for students and families. These courses aim to improve customer service and help local businesses become sustainable.

Additionally, support Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina’s crowdfunding campaign. Despite the assistance provided during the minga, Antonio de Ulloa’s infrastructure still needs urgent renovation. With your support, we can help renew Antonio de Ulloa’s school! When you book a tour with Rebecca Adventure Travel, you contribute to sustainable tourism in Ecuador.

Choose a Community Adventure Tour

Rebecca aims to encourage travelers to be as responsible as possible.

We are dedicated to sustainable travel, striving to give back to local communities and actively participate in their daily lives. It is in line with these values that we joined the Sponsor A School Program, to contribute to a sustainable tourism ecosystem. “The best way to align with the Responsible Travel Strategy is by contributing directly to local communities, helping them preserve their cultural identity, and empowering them through education”, explained Rebecca Braak, Founder of Rebecca Adventure Travel and EcuaFina. This initiative reflects our commitment to responsible travel and its impact on local communities.

Our goal, along with EcuaFina, is to be as socially, ecologically, and economically responsible as possible. We encourage responsible travelers like you to take action when planning a trip to Ecuador. Book a trip with us and become an ally of locally managed, environmentally responsible tourism! Did you know that sustainable travel is on the rise? According to a 2022 Expedia Group Media Solutions survey of 11,000 travelers, 9 in 10 prefer sustainable options when they plan their trips. By choosing a tour with us at Rebecca Adventure Travel, you’re helping create a more responsible tourism industry in Ecuador.

Get in touch

• Slow Adventure: Redefine Tourism
• Safeguarding the Galapagos Islands – Responsible Travel
• Shaping a Sustainable Future Together