Let NEW MASCULINTIES shine!

Our volunteers are essential in our project. Among many other things, they support us in our library, outdoor activities, language classes and after school help with homework.

The presence and interaction of our male volunteers with our boys and teenagers is crucial. It may take some time to establish a connection between them, but once that’s done, it can become a long lasting bond.

Diego Hartman, a young man who came to volunteer from Germany, is a clear example. His easy going nature and huge smile, makes it simple to become his friend.  I’d like to share a conversation I had with him.

Diego, tell me a little about yourself and why you decided to come volunteer at A Mano Manaba. 

Hello, before going to university I wanted to see the world and help people of the most vulnerable social groups in a developing country. I found the project in Don Juan called A Mano Manaba. I was fascinated about the diversity of work you can do. We work with children, teenagers and young women. I came to this project in Ecuador because these groups are the most vulnerable in a society full of toxic masculinity. 

Regarding “Machismo” in Manabí, what was your experience like? What was challenging for you? 

You feel the “Machismo” not only in the men on the streets, in the clubs or on the beach. You see it everywhere you go and not only in the men but also in the behavior of women. This was one of the most challenging things I had to learn because I always thought that women were the victims who wanted to liberate themselves of this mentally and physically damaging environment of “Machismo”. But it’s more complicated: with no income of their own, women stay in this environment to protect their children from more difficult situations. “Machismo” is not always marked by big actions, there is a “micro-machismo”, small gestures to show that they are the coolest, strongest all in all the best, like for example: to drive the motorbike without helmet or to drive only with one hand. 

Have you seen any change from the boys and girls in this respect? What do you think should be done in order to continue promoting “new masculinities” in the Manabí culture?

I see the children changing every day. In order to prevent physical punishment, we talk with the children a lot about these topics.The change in boys and girls starts when they realize that they can decide what they want to do in the library and for how long. This is the first step towards personal independence. 

As you can see, at At a Mano Manaba, we have been very fortunate to have Diego and many other volunteers support our project.

Thanks to your generous support, we sustain our programs and strive to do more.

Dear friend: 

In the midst of a wave of drug related violence unleashed upon young men in northern Manabí, our community library with its yough programs s perceived by many young people and their families as a lifeline.  Young people are investing time and effort in our marine conservancy program protects them and other marine younglings currently  endangered, while offering prospects of a professional career.  

Over the 8 years of operation, our community Library receives an average of 100 weekly visits.  This number is composed of three age groups: 

1. Ages 6-10 - 80% attendees; 
2. Ages 10-12 -15% attendees; 
3. Ages 12-18 -5% attendees.  

Since the beginning of this program, group 3 ages 12-18 increased its assistance by 200%.

With your help we can continue offering a safe haven for youth.  A recent chronicle alerts:

" Homicides of Ecuadorians between the ages of 15 and 19 years old went up by 500% over the past five years." 

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2023/1011/Youth-violence-national-priority-as-Ecuador-votes-in-presidential-runoff

The families of this group of adolescents. are dependent on fishing and set on their ways.  Boys are expected to join the fishing crew as young as 13, and teenage pregnancy is rampant.  This group of adolescents have known each other since early childhood. With no environmental awareness all had taken for granted the 8 kilometers of pristine beaches that line the village. No, they are marveled by the discovery of the ocean floor: “I had never thought about what was underwater and now I can’t wait for our next diving trip to see the incredible liveliness of the ocean floor” says David (15).

Maria Jose (30) is the marine biologist who runs the program enthusiastically says: “this has been my biggest accomplishment as Coordinator of Educational Programs for Ceiba Foundation. Ceiba works in conservation, research and environmental education, therefore, being able to develop this project with the House of Trades connecting teenagers with their natural environment, promoting the understanding of the dry forest and the ocean, is an extraordinary achievement. I believe that people protect what they know and love. Personally, it has been extremely satisfactory to work with teenagers and see first hand, how they become our ocean and forest guardians.Besides promoting the understanding of ecosystems and the importance of preserving them, this project aims to open the horizons to the participants by showing them how they can dream and become anything they want and pursue different careers. My aim is to keep working on this project long term, increase the number of participants, create awareness among teenagers about the importance of protecting the environment and eventually see them happy pursuing their dreams.”

We want to thank your empathy and active support, we are very proud to have you on board. 

Gracias! 

A mano manaba

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