Non-Profit

Sumak Allpa Foundation 

The Foundation Sumak Allpa is a non-profit organization based in Coca, Orellana Province in Ecuador. It was started in 2000 with a mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the culture, wildlife, and jungle eco-system of this environmentally and culturally rich and diverse region. Its title means “Land of not pain.” The organization's director is Hector Vargas Duche, who works as project director. Initially the organization was approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture on March 17, 2000, and changed in to the Welfare Ministry in June, 2010.

Sumak Allpa has a proven track record having created educational programs and linguistic centers with and for the Conambo, Torimbo, Balsura, and Zapara communities. In 2004, the organization initiated a “Conambo” palm seedling planting and education program with adults and children from the Siona people (who live in the Sotasiaya village and are directly affected by the oil explorations and drillings, de-forestation, and loss of their territory.). Sumak Allpa realized that these people could regain a part of their heritage by growing and using local products. Approximately 1,200 Conambo palms have been planted so far. It takes several growing seasons before the palms can be used in housing construction.

In another initiative, Sumak Allpa began in 2010 to develop environmental education programs, reforestation programs and scientific studies about diet, mobility, and interaction of the different primates species studied on our program.