RLI RLF collaboration
description
Transcript of RLI RLF collaboration
The mission of is to build and supportCommunity Learning Centersin the Rupununi region.
Yupukari
RLI
Preserve Culture Conserve EnvironmentMaintain traditional knowledge and skills Protect lands and waters
Economic opportunityGrow jobs and businesses in the village
Educational opportunityIncrease literacy in English, technology, science
Rupununi Learners is governed by a 100% Yupukari Executive Board that reports to the Village Council. The Manager and staff are from
Yupukari. Our activities grow from Village Council directives.
Supporting Village Council strategies for Natural Resource Management Planning
Nurturing and expanding Yupukari Wildlife Club activities
“Best Wildlife Club in Guyana” 2009
“Best Wildlife Club” at 2009 National Wildlife Club Festival
Winner of 2009 Ecoclub.com Award
Learning about butterfly farming
Tree ID
Long term mark-recapture study of the Black Caiman since 2005
All Yupukari crew
700 study subjects and counting
Presented at Crocodile Specialist Group Conference 2006, 2008, 2010
Funded by Saint Louis Zoo 2005-6SeaWorld Busch Gardens 2007-8 IUCN 2009-10RLI 2011
Tree Identificationbuilding local capacity in natural resource management
Partnership with Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society (GATBS) has led to 3 new proposed Important Bird Areas for Region 9
Economic opportunity“Social Enterprises” for sustainability and growth
Ecotourism : Jobs employing villagers Enterprises buying from villagers
“Rupununi Home” a multi-village business of crafting communities and supplier communities
for 3 different markets: Caiman House touristsLethem shoppersExport via Liana Cane relationship
The Guest House at Caiman House
Ecotourism at Caiman House
• Unique caiman-catching attraction• Over 350 visitors per year in 2009 and 2010• Expansion into accredited university student groups in 2011• Cited by CI for exceptional handcrafted decor
Winner of the 2009 Skandalaris Award in the Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition
at Washington University in St. Louis
for developing GLASS, the Guyana Lesley Abroad Service Semester
• Semester-long accredited study based in the Rupununi• Open to all US colleges and universities• Funds support spread of community and classroom libraries • Creates jobs, increases demand for local goods and services• Pilot set for Summer 2011
Craft-based enterprise – “Rupununi Home”
in Lethem
for export
Traditional Rupununi crafts transformed into contemporary home decor
• Preserving indigenous knowledge• Rewarding habitat conservation
for tourists
in Lethem
Yupukari Public LibraryBook-based education
Four times larger, 2007
2005
Classroom libraries
4 Nursery Schools to date7 Primary Schools to date4 Village Libraries to date
7 community requests pending
Under expansion, 2010
Indigenous Knowledge EducationResponding to a Village Survey about culture loss
IK Youth Camp 2010 Bookmaking since 2007
Yupukari
LCDS and other GoG programs
Building capacity for
Natural Resource
Management
Ecotourismjobs and
enterprisesRLI
Rupununi Learners Foundation (US) support of Rupununi Learners Incorporated (GY)
Books (15,000 to date) Caiman House maintenance & upgrades ∙Computers (250 to date) Library, Research, School & Tourism supplies ∙Two full-time staff salaries Cost of Internet & website Cost of Library ∙ ∙
outreach (9 communities) Capitalizing new craft development (5 ∙communities) Construction of volunteer housing (2 communities) ∙
Special events, new program development
• Long term sustainability by developing renewable funding streams
• Supplements RLI income with donations for the medium term
• Writes grants and enters competitions that support RLI in the short term
• Improves RLI governance through support for Board development, skill and capacity building
• US liaison for resources: