Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Megan Christenson, Emily Hanks, Sarah Schwid, and Steven Wuerth Edited by Adele Negro
The Monterey Institute of International Studies Team Monterey 5
Acknowledgements
The environmental team of Team Monterey 5 would like to express its sincere gratitude towards the people of the Bajo Lempa for their warmth, kindness and hospitality throughout our time in El Salvador. We would also like to thank Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora for their logistical support in connecting us with Don Jos Ofilio Herrera and Jorge Garca. Jorge was instrumental in the effectiveness of our field research and we would have not been successful without his assistance. Don Ofilios enthusiasm and vision were also key elements in moving toward our mutual goals. We would like to thank Ceiba Doblado, El Llano, San Juan del Gozo, Aguacate, and Isla de Mendez for welcoming us into their communities and allowing us to host meetings in each community. We also thank our drivers for their patience, knowledge and companionship and for making our experience driving through El Salvador as smooth as possible. Chema also made us feel welcomed and was more than willing to help with any question or request. He also acted as a very helpful and effective liaison between Team Monterey, La Coordinadora and Asociacin Mangle. The staff at La Coordinadora, the building that acted as our home base, also made us feel welcomed and supported. We would like to thank the staff of Ascociacin Mangle for their time, expertise and use of their facilities and materials throughout our stay. We would also like to thank our resident interpreter and translator, Antonio Armendriz, for his tireless work and commitment to each groups project and for facilitating smooth communication between the team, local communities, Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora. We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our fearless leader, Professor Adele Negro, whose advice, patience, and knowledge allowed us to confidently move forward with our project with an attitude of solidarity toward everyone with whom we worked.
Project Summary
The Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador, specifically Zone 1, is situated in the coastal south of the country and provides habitats for a diverse group of wildlife. The area is also prone to experiencing the adverse effects of hurricanes and flooding during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. The general population of Zone 1 resides between the Jiquilisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, an area that is annually affected by hurricanes and flooding. Many of the people in Zone 1 live in poverty and do not have the resources to build safe shelters or homes that can withstand the type of damage caused by these natural disasters. Oftentimes, certain families must rebuild their homes after the wet season. Despite these challenges, there is a high level of community involvement through La Coordinadora and Asociacin Mangle. Each community in Zone 1 has its own ADESCO (Community Development Association), or group of community leaders, which meets regularly with the ADESCOs of the other communities to address various issues, including ways to supplement the income of the communities in Zone 1. The creation of an ecotourism business consisting of a network of ecotourism stops throughout the Zone has sprouted from these meetings. During its three-week period on the ground in El Salvador, the Environmental Team of Team Monterey 5 was tasked with helping to facilitate the process of designing a community
Methodology
Upon arriving in Ciudad Romero, El Salvador, and over the course of the first week, we met with la Junta Directiva of Asociacin Mangle as well as with the ADESCO of Isla de Mendez and community members of Zone 1. These meetings helped synthesize our knowledge of ecotourism and the issues surrounding it in Zone 1, and also served as the setting in which the team was able to plan its next steps in the community ecotourism project. We formulated the following four questions which shaped our methodology: 1. What does Zone 1 hope to achieve through community ecotourism? 2. Does community capacity exist for a profitable tourist route in Zone 1, taking into count the goals of each community? 3. How do we give support to community organizations so that they have the capacity to develop community ecoturism in Zone 1? 4. How do we help the communities in Zone 1 organize themselves?
The community mapping activity included the following steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Introductions, with a small icebreaker consisting of the question, What can your community offer to tourists? Community members drew a map of what their community looks like presently. The drawing was discussed with community members. Community members added a different color to the present map to indicate what they would like their community to look like in the future in regards to ecotourism. The top 3 future projects were prioritized. Strategic questions about the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of each community were asked.
Proposed recommendations in the short- medium-, and long-term for Zone1 that were based on the community mapping activity. (See Appendix 3) We designed a workshop based upon our analysis of the meeting results. The workshop provided the team with an opportunity to teach the group the basics of planning a project for the future. Each community chose one of its mid- to long-term goals and wrote out a basic work plan with guidance from the workshop packet described below.
These activities were an important means to answering our aforementioned questions and they contributed to our analysis and recommendations. The primary activity of community
General Observations
Openness and Enthusiasm in Each Community Each town that we visited in Zone 1 was eager to discuss community ecotourism and welcomed our planned activities with great enthusiasm. For example, when we traveled to El Llano, they had fully prepared for our mapping activity beforehand by preparing their own smaller map to help guide them through the process. The participation of young adults in our meetings was also very impressive. They seemed very interested in the development of their community and in the conservation of natural resources. At one point in San Juan del Gozo two young community members joined the meeting and took over the mapping activity by drawing certain aspects of their community. Many ADESCOs within the area also have a youth committee, which encourages youth involvement in project planning, education, and community development. With respect to Zone 1s openness to community ecotourism, we believe that each community is indeed very interested in the concept. It is also known throughout the Zone that community ecotourism has the potential generate alternative means of income, employment opportunities, and also help to conserve the ecosystem of the Jiquilisco biosphere. For instance, in Ceiba Doblado, the women we met with demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance and extrinsic value of the tourists that travel past their town on the newly constructed highway. Ecotourism is Seasonal Because of the great variance in rainfall and temperature in the Bajo Lempa region, tourism is best described as a seasonal industry. From about May - October, also known as the wet season, hurricanes and tropical storms can discourage tourists from visiting coastal areas.
Each of the 5 towns we interviewed in Zone 1 named seasonal flooding as their biggest obstacle; not only to development, but also to attracting tourists. Currently, there is little or inadequate infrastructure in place throughout the Zone to prevent damage from floods and storms. Without well-structured accommodations, such as clean drains, the effects of the wet season could carry over into the dry season, thus hindering the potential success of ecotourism. For example, many sea turtles hatch from their nests during the wet season months. The release of the newly hatched sea turtles is a very large tourist attraction, and if the communities in Zone 1 are otherwise occupied with flooding and damage control, they will not be able to host or offer services to these tourists. Proper management of storm drains and flood control systems, such as elevated roads (which is already being done by the government on the road to Isla de Mendez), could accelerate ecotourism in Zone 1 and create a more consistent flow of additional income. Stages of Development All of the communities that we visited are in different stages of development. Isla de Mendez has some of the appropriate infrastructure--a hostel and a restaurant--to receive tourists at Villa Tortuga. The other communities do not currently have restaurants or eateries to feed tourists. Isla de Mendez also has trained community members serving as tour guides and park rangers. The only other community to receive similar training is Ceiba Doblado, which has two park rangers. Aguacate does not have electricity, potable water, or a town hall, while the rest of the communities have a town hall, access to potable water, and electricity. Although the communities are at different levels of development, it is possible for each community to profit from ecotourism in the immediate future. For example, it isnt necessary for Aguacate to have electricity in order to profit from community ecotourism, nor is it necessary for the communities to have potable water in order to serve the tourists, as long as there is bottled water available. (See Appendix 5.) Economic Situation The communities in Zone 1 do not have easy access to funds that are needed to develop ecotourism in the area. It is difficult to receive funding because the communities must go through a complicated system that not everyone understands. It was frequently noted that the communities do not have a clear or realistic idea concerning how they will receive funding and how much time it will take. Generally, communities believe that obtaining funding will take less time than is possible. Despite the lack of funding for ecotourism and the high levels of poverty, Zone 1 desires to develop ecotourism because it views it as a way to keep youth from leaving the area to find jobs elsewhere, as well as an additional source of income. The communities are aware that funding is needed as soon as possible in order to start taking steps to improve their quality of life
Final Recommendations
Create a strong network It is recommended that:
Zone 1 form a strong community ecotourism network that prevents privatization, protects the biosphere of the Bay of Jiqulisco, and utilizes each communitys unique strengths and abilities without compromising the tourism and service offerings of other communities or depleting the natural resources. the Ecotourism Committee in Zone 1 develop excursions that attract recognition and revenue to each community in Zone 1 in an equitable and evenly distributed manner. the Ecotourism Committee of Zone 1 encourage residents to become personally invested in community ecotourism: o Example 1: Form a Beach Ranger Cooperative, for which each household donates $0.25 per month toward the salary of a hired individual(s) to protect, guard and clean the beach and/or bay o Example 2: Through the youth committee, plan volunteer beach and / or bay clean up days. Examples include incentives could include a soccer game following the cleanup, pupusas at Villa Tortuga, etc. o Example 3: Offer activities involving the whole community to educate members about the benefits of ecotourism as a source of income and focused on conservation. Examples include community dance night, concerts, childrens plays through school, etc. Asociacin Mangle, along with each community in Zone 1, assist each other in creating a strategic community ecotourism plan through leading and participating in regular workshops teaching project planning, conservation, and small business planning. Strengthen the ecotourism committee in Zone 1 by including the ecotourism and youth committees as well as the ADESCOs in the planning process. o Incorporate professionals into the planning process in order to assist with the proposal writing, and ensure that these professional work closely with Asociasin Mangle to complete the proposals.
o
Offer consistent trainings to the ecotourism committee that can pertain to, but are not limited to: tour guide, environmental, and leadership trainings
The Role of Asociacin Mangle We recommend that Asociacin Mangle share information to the communities in the following ways: Create a standard operating procedure on how to receive funding from governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Determine which organizations can donate grant money. Provide training for community residents to serve as tour guides and park rangers Work with the communities through instructional meetings that teach people how to accomplish personal and community goals, specifically the goals that each community developed at our project planning workshop (see below).
Cultivate its unique ecotourism identity and experience using the goals they each selected during the project planning workshop that incorporate distinctive aspects of the El Salvadoran culture: o Ceiba Doblado: Create small local restaurants serving local El Salvadoran fare o Aguacate: Give tours on horseback and bike, as well as tours of the mangroves o Isla de Mendez: Improve Villa Tortugas facilities in order to attract more tourism business o El Llano: Add a water pump to irrigate their local kitchen garden o San Juan del Gozo: Not present at the project-planning workshop
Conclusions
When Team Monterey arrived in the Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador, the level of organization between community organizations (Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora) and the ADESCOs of each town, as well as their commitment to the community ecotourism project immediately impressed us, although the communities did express a desire to become more organized internally. The people of Zone 1 in the Bajo Lempa face many daily challenges that command most of their attention, yet despite these challenges and time-constraints, we found that they are equally as committed to improving the well-being of their communities and willing to put the necessary time and effort into cultivating the community ecotourism project. While each town is in a different stage of development, the meetings and workshops have equipped them with a strategy to begin the steps that will 1) improve the quality of local infrastructure 2) create job opportunities that will involve local youth, provide an additional income source, and possibly create permanent employment and 3) work toward the ultimate goal of attaining the capacity to receive tourists as part of an ecotourism network throughout Zone 1 by utilizing resources and time in a sustainable manner that does not detract from necessary daily activities. Team Monterey recommends that the communities continue to meet regularly to track progress and share ideas and experiences with each other in order to keep up momentum and facilitate an open forum of learning and communication. Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora are the glue that holds together the ADESCOs of each community. As such, it is recommended that the organization continue to host these
Appendix 3 Short, medium, and long term goals for the communities of Zone 1
(Given originally to each community in Spanish, English translations are in gray italics)
El Llano
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un comit de ecoturismo dentro de la comunidad Investigar quienes tienen acceso al mar Crear huertos caseros Capacitar a personas interesadas en ser guas tursticos en la comunidad Tener un comedor en una casa que sea accesible desde el camino Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Figure out who owns the Access road to the beach Start kitchen gardens Train those who are interested in being tour guides Start a small restaurant (could be part of someones house) near the main road Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Obtener acceso al mar Construir un vivero de Tortugas Construir un estanque para peces Construir un estanque de camarones Medium term goals (Three to six years) Obtain beach access Construct a turtle hatchery Construct a fish farm Construct a shrimp farm Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Construir un muelle Levantar la calle Construir una casa comunal Construir un rancho hotel con piscinas Desarrollar una casa de Turismo Huspedes Long term goals (Six or more years) Construct a dock Elevate the main road
Aguacate
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un Comit del Ecoturismo Recoger fruta (mangos, coco, maran) para vender en bolsas a los turistas, o traer turistas para recoger fruta por s mismo Alquilar bicicletas para pasear por el camino, ver los rboles frutales, el paisaje, etc. Dar excursiones a caballo Vender refrescos de jugo a los turistas Capacitar individuales interesados en ser guas tursticas en la comunidad Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Pick fruit (mangos, coconuts, cashews) to sell in little bags to tourists or bring tourists in to pick their own fruit Rent out bikes for trail rides and to view the different fruit trees, see the countryside, etc. Give tours on horseback through the town Sell homemade juice to tourists Train those who are interested in being tour guides Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Vender jalea de frutas Vender mantequilla de maran Vender vino de maran Amplificacin de la luz elctrica Crear una ruta de cayucos dentro de los manglares Medium term goals (Three to six years) Sell homemade jelly or marmelade Sell homemate cashew butter Sell homemade cashew wine Connect all members of the town to the electrical grid Create a tourist route for canoeing through the mangroves Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Pedir / obtener acceso al camino privado Construir un estanque de camarones Levantar las calles Desarrollar microempresa de frutas
Long term goals (Six or more years) Ask for permission / obtain Access to the private road Construct a shrimp farm Elevate the main roads Develop a small business model for harvesting and selling fruits
Ceiba Doblado
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un comit de ecoturismo Abrir el parqueador de nuevo Construir ranchos en la playa con hamacas y cobra los turistas Vender cerveza / refrescos en la playa (*Pero hay que recoger las botellas) Poner comedores en casas cerca del camino Tener das voluntarias para limpiar las playas Capacitar individuales interesados en ser guas tursticas en la comunidad Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Open up a pay per stay parking lot for beach go-ers who park on community property Construct tiki huts on the beach with hammocks and charge tourists for use Sell cold beer / refreshments on the beach, but remember to collect the bottles Set up small restaurants in houses near the main road Schedule volunteer beach clean-up days Train those who are interested in being tour guides Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Limpia el drenaje Construir su propio vivero de Tortugas Limpiar los manglares para que sea libre de basura Medium term goals (Three to six years) Clean the main storm drain Construct a turtle hatchery Clean up the mangrove area and keep it clear of garbage Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms)
Construir una Cabaa
Long-term goals (Six years or more) Build a Cabana style hotel for tourists
Isla de Mndez
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Invitar otras comunidades para participar en sus proyectos Mejorar los baos en Villa Tortuga Hacer un mapa de las rutas
Mirar los mapas comunitarias Introducciones Charla de Metas a Corto Plazo Seleccin de Meta a Mediano Plazo Actividad de Planificacin Presentaciones de los planes Hacer cita para la prxima reunin
Introduccin - Como Planear un Proyecto Antes de empezar en trabajar en su proyecto es muy importante tener un plan. Estas cuatro preguntas ayudan en preparar su plan. Piensa en estas preguntas antes que empezar su proyecto. Qu?
Quin?
Quines van a estar en la delegacin o comit de este proyecto? Quin sera un buen lder del proyecto? Quin tiene experiencia en estos proyectos?
Cmo?
Cules actividades son necesarios para cumplir el proyecto? Por ejemplo, Quin va a pedir permiso del gobierno regional?
Cundo?
Cundo van a terminar con cada paso del proyecto? Cundo van a terminar con el proyecto en total?
Charla de Metas a Corto Plazo Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Discute las siguientes recomendaciones. Qu piensan? Pueden pensar en ms?
Invitar otras comunidades para participar en sus proyectos Mejorar los baos en Villa Tortuga Hacer un mapa de las rutas Colgar fotos de las otras comunidades y las actividades que hay
Arreglar la Villa Tortuga o suelo, bicicletas, camin, techo, piscina Arreglar cabaas
Quines van a estar en la delegacin o comit de este proyecto? Quin sera un buen lder del proyecto? Quin tiene experiencia en estos proyectos?
Cmo?
Cules actividades son necesarios para cumplir el proyecto? Escriba los pasos que son necesarios para este proyecto. Dnde est el proyecto? En cul parte de la comunidad quieren tener el proyecto? Hasta cundo va a operar el proyecto? Quin o quienes est(n) en cargo de cada actividad? Cunto cuesta?
Cundo?
Cundo van a terminar con cada paso del proyecto? Cundo van a terminar con el proyecto en total?