Rainforest Awakenings Sustainable Tropical Ecology and Leadership Program

Rainforest Awakenings is dedicated to preserving the tropical rainforest while promoting an increased quality of life for residents and tribal members of Panama through service projects such as water catchment systems, promotion of fair trade products, and employment of tribal guides.  We are losing the rainforest at an alarming rate, approximately 185,000 acres (75,000 hectares) per year in Panama, and this affects the entire world.  Rainforests provide fresh water and oxygen for the entire planet; are responsible for the world’s weather systems, and contain 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.  The National Cancer Institute has named 3,000 plants containing active cancer fighting properties, 70% of them come from the rainforest (http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm).  Nearly 90 percent of the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty worldwide depend on forests for their livelihoods.  Fifty-seven percent of the world’s forests, including most tropical forests, are located in developing countries (http://www.nature.org/wherewework/centralamerica/tropicalforests/news/news2124.html).  Rainforest Awakenings aims to preserve indigenous cultures and rainforest ecosystems through sustainable programs that support tribes economically.

We offer programs that include a holistic approach to rainforest preservation.  Each program focuses on tropical ecology while addressing the social and economic challenges that are the root of deforestation.  Our programs include daily interaction with several different local tribes.   We empower tribes by hiring them as guides in highly critical areas, implementing service projects (where we work and stay with the tribes) to improve communities and provide opportunities for sustainable income.  Students and Rainforest Awakenings leaders personally experience the challenges facing tribal society living in the rainforests.  Opportunities to learn Spanish are abundant from immersion and language exchange. Students with a strong foreign language base may also learn the Ngobe (Guamyi) language.  Rainforest Awakening’s leaders provide students with a daily forum (the practice of council) to express their experience and learn from their peers.  Another goal of Rainforest Awakenings is to support students in creating projects that provide continued support for tribes, from student led seminars to promoting tribal products and projects.  Rainforest Awakenings is inviting students into action and leadership by providing a conduit of authentic and empowered experience.