Update
from Kumanii, Ecuador
Dear Colin, I
am very sorry to inform you that we are closing
both Kumanii Lodge and Foundation. Over the last
6 months, the guerrilla FARC has moved into our
region, and they are now controling it entirely.
It is too risky for us to bring tourists and volunteers
into the area, and also our own Foundation members
and workers are potential kidnapping targets.
Although it has been so sad for us to give up after
this much investment of time, resources, and hope,
we feel that we have no other choice. Evidently,
Ecuador's new president favors the FARC, like his
role model, Chavez, and he did not allow the Ecuadorian
army to take any action to control the guerrilla
on time. At this point, I believe it is too late.
Even if the government watned the FARC to leave,
it would be very difficult, and bloody, to get them
out.
Although
the FARC is now controling most aspects of the villagers'
lives, they are not allowing any logging or mining
in the area. I suppose that is the one small piece
of good news.
Kind
regards,
Alyssa
Kumanii Foundation
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