Author: bauerde

2022 was a busy year for REDI. We worked closely to support numerous projects throughout rural coastal Ecuador. Some of our most notable efforts include providing financial and material support for small renovations at the Centro de Investigaciones Museo Salango, working to support rural tourism through the construction and placement of signs to promote whale-watching and environmental awareness, providing funding for the annual Festival de la Balsa Mantena, collaborating with the Asociacion de Personas de Descapacidad de la Parroquia Salango, and our yearly initiative to provide holiday food boxes to families in need.

As we close out 2022, we want to thank each of our donors for their generosity. We look forward to continued collaboration and a prosperous 2023. Best wishes to all in the coming year!

Each year REDI works with dedication to support families and individuals in need in rural coastal Ecuador. While our mission continued in 2020, the need was greater than ever and we encountered circumstances that were unlike anything we experienced previous. COVID-19 put a halt to the local tourism and fishing industries in late March and it was not until July that things began to improve, albeit only minimally. Tourism continued to suffer with a near complete decline in international tourists, and a significant limited presence of Ecuadorian tourists. As is the case the world over, people in coastal Ecuador have adapted to life during the global pandemic. However, there is still a long way to go until people can enjoy a renewed sense of normalcy. This makes our commitment that much more important. December 2020 differed from previous years as this year the REDI team provided holiday food baskets to more families than ever before. Additionally, baskets were delivered as opposed to the hosting of a small reception with music and food as in past years. Despite the changes, the goal remained the same; to provide to families and individuals in need and more importantly than ever to bring positivity during such trying times. As we move into 2021 we will continue to work to support those in need and to have a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

Things are slowly returning to a sense of relative normalcy in rural Manabi. Fishing is back in full swing and tourism is picking up. As we continue to provide relief for COVID, we look to extend our impact to new areas. Most recently, this includes providing food distribution to inland regions that have limited access to ocean resources. Fresh fish are a rare treat in inland communities in the same way pork, chicken, and goat are generally reserved for special occasions in villages with direct access to the ocean. With this in mind, our team purchased fresh fish on the beach and delivered fish along with additional food rations to residents in inland regions of multiple communities in southern Manabi.

Recent news from southern Manabí indicates the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in the canton of Puerto López to be estimated at US$6 million. This is a tremendous amount given the small population of the region and the number of people who rely on tourism to make a living. Moreover, the current pandemic halted the primary industry of fishing. While things are starting to change course, with tourism opening up and fishing resuming, there is still a pressing need to support individuals most affected by the economic shutdown associated with COVID-19.

The mission of REDI is to help those in need. We do this in a variety of ways, and since April we have been distributing food to individuals and families in need. This will continue into the upcoming months as we strive to provide a little bit of relief and hope during this difficult time.

Our objective is simple. Help those in need. Our work has increased in response to COVID-19. Since April we have been providing food to families in need. Our most recent distribution was on July 7. Fifty families benefited from our support.