In Costa Rica the Maleku tribe work with LRFF to recuperate & reforest their lands. They created the Tribal Council but need a meeting place. The men build the traditional “rancho” with little funding
The Maleku inhabit 600 has. In 1977 the Costa Rican gov’t. returned almost 3000 has to the Maleku. Before the law came into effect 33 yrs. ago these lands passed into the hands of non-indigenous farmers who deforested it for cattle farming. LRFF and the Maleku are reforesting the land they live on and we’re buying back the rest to be reforested as acquired. The Tribal Council, who govern the new communal lands, needs a meeting place. Presently we are borrowing venues costing us precious time
The new rancho will give us headquarters for our work, plan our projects and will be used for ceremonies. It is a sustainable structure made from natural forest materials and will provide employment for local young men to construct and maintain it
The traditional space provides the 12 member council a boardroom to plan land acquisitions, reforestation, community development, consider proposals from the residents and hold traditional ceremonies
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
