Since 2003 the organization DESAP (Desarrollo Sostenible para la Amazonia Peruana) has been engaged in projects in the region of Iquitos. With the project MI HUERTO (my garden) they support families with expert advice in planting a vegetable garden on wasteland. In addition, several wells have been built which provide neighborhoods with water. In 2011 the project MI HUERTO RURAL was launched, serving the families living in remote villages along the rivers of the Amazon. The biggest problem in that area is the disastrous deforestation of the rainforest. The project MI HUERTO RURAL raises awareness of the problems of deforestation and supports sustainable farming. Currently 76 families in 7 communities along the Tamshyacu River, a side river of the Amazon, are being supported.

Fontana Foundation started its support for MI HUERTO RURAL in 2011 as main sponsor.  In November 2012 we reviewed the projects and met with the families by the river. By then about 16’000 cacao seedlings had been planted as well as many other fruits and vegetables. We were impressed by the work of Edgar Huacachi and his small team of agro-technicians. In December 2013 we will start a pilot project with the solar lamp “Luci”, since none of the communities have electricity.

For more information, please visit www.desap.ch