With your continued support and generosity, we are transforming present challenges into unique and powerful opportunities for the future.
We have launched a new program as an extension of our Aventureros curriculum. Several of our older participants have become well known and respected members of the community due to their hard work and activism and we want to offer them the opportunity to become a Guia, or "guide" in English. We know that ecotourism is the number one business here in town, and we know that this group of young leaders has the potential to make a huge difference for themselves, their families, our visitors, and the community by being a part of it.
Creating this opportunity for our 17 most dedicated Aventureros is so important to us that we have already started! Our very first Guias went out on the pangas with graduate students from Miami University just last week to share their local knowledge and skills. A new program, of course, does not come without some additional costs and needed support. In order to continue to provide our Guias with opportunities to become guides and leaders on each panga this summer, we will need to rent 24 extra boats throughout the season at a total additional cost of about US $10,000.
We are committed to providing each of our 17 Guias with opportunities to lead, and we sure could use your help. For every $1,000 we raise, we can fully support one of our Aventurero Guias for the summer season. This includes the additional boat rentals, VSI staff mentoring, meals, as well as additional leadership and training opportunities.
Your contribution makes a meaningful difference in our mission to protect and conserve the natural world. Will you sponsor a Guia?
*Note that you may also maximize our ability to be flexible to the students' needs by making your donation recurring (monthly, quarterly, or annually)