RLI RLF collaboration

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The mission of is to build and support Community Learning Centers in the Rupununi region.

description

Describes how the two entities work horizontally to achieve their goals

Transcript of RLI RLF collaboration

Page 1: RLI RLF collaboration

The mission of is to build and supportCommunity Learning Centersin the Rupununi region.

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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.

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Supporting Village Council strategies for Natural Resource Management Planning

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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

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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

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Tree Identificationbuilding local capacity in natural resource management

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Partnership with Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society (GATBS) has led to 3 new proposed Important Bird Areas for Region 9

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Indigenous Knowledge EducationResponding to a Village Survey about culture loss

IK Youth Camp 2010 Bookmaking since 2007

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Yupukari

LCDS and other GoG programs

Building capacity for

Natural Resource

Management

Ecotourismjobs and

enterprisesRLI

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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: