Challenge Background
Oyacachi, an indigenous community on the edge of the Ecological Reserve Cayambe Coca, two hours drive from Quito, was devastated by a massive mudslide on the afternoon of June 26, 2015. One third of the village was destroyed. Three months later, this unique, colourful, and historic tourist destination offering hot springs, wooden handicrafts, and spectacular views of the Andes, is working hard to recover its previous flow of 45 thousand visitors per year, now down to a trickle each weekend.
Project Mission
Reestablish the progress baseline for the local community to recover its economic, social, cultural and political sustainably based on their strengths such as social capital, natural resources, the cosmovisión of the Kichwa tradition, and the abilities of the locals.
Overall Objetives
• Achieve holistically oriented goals working with each segment of the community: Women, children, disabled people, elders, artisans, and the community leaders.
• Work with the community to rebuild its economy and reconnect people by being part of a sporting event (MaracachiTon,a 5K and 10K run with the participation of 1000 athletes (from Quito, Cayambe, and other parts of the country and from around the world). This event, scheduled for November 29, 2015, will include not only the runners but also their families, creating a significant impact on the economy and, more importantly, reestablishing Oyacachi as an outstanding tourist destination.
Objectives by segment
➢Indigenous Women
o Offer workshops related to customer service in ecotourism, gastronomy and handicrafts, improving the quality of production and service delivery
o Evaluate mental health as a result of the traumatic effect caused of the mudslide incident and offer workshops building self efficacy.
➢Children
o Offer courses focused on core subjects using a playful methodology to stabilise their cognitive and emotional process
o Offer classes in English with a family focus
➢Youth
o Involve them in productive activities related to the sporting event
➢Elderly
o Working with youth, create oral histories using technology that include their stories, customs, and community legends to present the day of the event
➢Artisans
o Provide business training using the Business Model Canvas, focused on their products and services, to to promote and sell their products to local tourists and to market outlets in Quito.
➢Quito community
o Invite Quiteño citizens to get involved in this kind of event while they enjoy nature and get exercise
➢Public, Private, Civic Sectors, Academia, Media (EcoHelix)
o Invite key stakeholders collaborative in social issues, base on Corporate Social Responsibility
➢Beyond Chacay (Chaca in Kichwa means Bridge) Foundation
o Conduct research and Community Development using baseline surveys with a pre and post event timeline, identifying and involving Partners (stakeholders) that are the blades of the propeller and achieve building bridges between local tourists and community leaders as agents of transformation.
Product
Marathon 5K- 10K
Target from 18 to 60+
Cost USD $ 25.00
Goal: 500 athletes
Problems-Challenges
* Families hosted by relatives. (up to four families living in one home)
* Fear of the impending of El Niño Storm
* Lack of quality, consistent information in the media about the community and its plight
* Road Infrastructure neglected
* Insufficient information about this hidden paradise.
* Community buildings and school house destroyed
* Children and young people without access to education .
* Women without income because of lack of traffic in the craft center .
* Emotional problems among the inhabitants ( post-trauma stress and anxiety).
Solution
Rebuild the town
Rebuild the Ecotourism Program
The Challenge
Governmental problems,(economy, natural disasters and political instability) lack of budget for cases like this.
Lack of strong leadership. They are peaceful indigenous group that don't do claim much for their rights.
The Assets
Great community collaboration and trust in all we do
The social media has been a boom.
A lot of people interested in the idea.
An option for tourists to visit instead of Cotopaxi with is in erupting process.
Available Resources
We don't have a budget but we will use the income from the Marathon.
I am looking for big companies sponsorship.
References
Posner Center Hack, International Development Hackthon,
CHALLENGE BRIEF: Comunidades Unidas Peru
