Sara Vetter and I just returned from nearly four weeks in the Ecuadorian Amazon with the Pachamama Alliance. We co-led two back to back trips; one all women’s trip, focusing on the Jungle Mama’s program; and a second trip, called the Super Journey, which was led by three founders of the Pachamama Alliance: John Perkins, Bill Twist and myself.

Both trips were deeply meaningful for all the participants and made a significant difference to the indigenous partners that we were privileged to spend time with in the jungle.

Jungle Mamas Journey

Our Jungle Mama’s Journey was to a community called Yuvientsa, in Shuar territory, which is the home of Narcisa Mashienta—an indigenous woman who created and leads the Pachamama Alliance’s Jungle Mamas program. We travelled with twelve remarkable women into Shuar territory and bonded deeply with our indigenous sisters there where we worked to transform the lives of women in a male dominated warrior culture that is just waking up to the power of women’s voices.

Super Journey

On the Super Journey, our travelers had the opportunity to not only be deep in the forest with one another and the Achuar people, but also to meet with two of their newly elected leaders who briefed our group on the recent accomplishments, as well as the challenges the Achuar people are facing with both the Ecuadorian government and big oil.

Post Journeys

When we returned to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, we also had the opportunity to meet with Minister Freddy Ehlers, who serves on the cabinet with the President of Ecuador, and learned from his perspective about his work called Buen Vivir. These meetings, coupled with the experience of being together at the heart of the world, produced a powerful experience for
our Pachamama Alliance travelers—each of whom stepped up to become powerful long-term partners for the work of the Pachamama Alliance now and in the future.

Upcoming Events

We’d like to take moment to let you know about some of our exciting upcoming events. 

On August 28 -September 2 we will be on Cortes Island, BC, Canada, to co-lead a Fundraising from the Heart Workshop at the beautiful Hollyhock Conference Center. Click here for more information.

We also have a second Fundraising from the Heart Workshop, September 11-13, at the Upaya Zen Center in Santa, Fe. For more details, click here.

Please consider joining us at the annual Pachamama Alliance Luncheon event in San Francisco, on Thursday, November 19th, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Or join us in New York City on Thursday, December 3rd, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Click here for more information.

We thank you for your continual support and partnership and hope to see you at one of our upcoming events.

Love,

Lynne and Sara