Project Report
| Jul 18, 2012
Protecting the Tribal Council
By Charlotte Hallaways | Executive Administrative Assistant LRFF/CR
![Rapid growth in the Rio Sol]()
Rapid growth in the Rio Sol
Without even the old rancho in which to meet, the Maleku Tribal council are struggling more than ever to meet and remain a united force. After the old ranch burnt down we hoped to have the new ranch built by June, but unfortunately we still lack the funds to do so. We continue to help the Tribal Council in every way we can but every day the need for a communal meeting place becomes more urgent.
The Tribal Council formed with our help to unite the tribes 3 villages and govern the tribe’s communal lands. The council is essential if the Maleku are to reclaim, and regenerate the ancestral land that was taken from them and destroyed by non-indigenous farmers. Without somewhere of their own to meet and plan this reclamation, they must rent a venue which costs them greatly.
We are continually working to secure the $1000 we need to get this much needed ranch built before the council fall apart. Please wish us luck.
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Apr 26, 2012
Burning of the Old Rancho
By Roberta Ward Smiley | Founder and CEO, LRFF
![The New Rancho Bienvenido]()
The New Rancho Bienvenido
I have new news concerning the old Rancho Bienvenido. I was out at Palenque Tonjibe in mid February to visit my friend Bienvenido Cruz Castro, for whom the rancho is named.
As we sat on his front porch talking he asked if I’d noticed the old rancho when I walked by. Dumbly I said “no, why?” Bienvenido said, laughing, “Well, last month a neighbor was burning his yard trash and a spark landed on the old Suita palm roof and caught it on fire. It went up like a pyre, amazing!”
Check out the photo I took that day of the burned rancho. Come on everyone the Maleku Tribal Council needs a meeting place more than ever. They have been unable to meet because of a lack of a common place and need to continue their project planning sessions.
I submitted an application for a small grant from the Rainforest Biodiversity group to help with the remainder of funding needed to rebuild Rancho Bienvenido. With all of your help and theirs we can get the rancho built by June.
![Progress of trees planted June 2011, Rio Sol]()
Progress of trees planted June 2011, Rio Sol
Links:
Feb 7, 2012
Great News for the Maleku Tribal Council
By Roberta Ward Smiley | Founder and CEO, LRFF
![Bienvenido Cruz C., Pres. of Council w/Daniel]()
Bienvenido Cruz C., Pres. of Council w/Daniel
After a long wait and many obstacles the Maleku Tribal Council received their legal registration in January. They are now a nationally recognized organization. This means they now have the ability to apply for grants to implement the many community projects they've been planning.
We attended a meeting last October conducted by directors of the UN's Small Grants Program in Costa Rica. They encouraged members of the Tribal Council to make their priority pushing forward to receiving their legal status to apply for a Small Grant (up to $20,000).
The old Rancho Bienvenido is still standing but continues to deteriorate. The Council needs a meeting place more than ever now.
Thank you again for your generous donation to the Rancho Bienvenido project. Please pass this report and project to others you know. Maybe they will feel as passionately as you do about this simple, straightforward project.
![Rio Sol nursery next to the old Rancho Bienvenido]()
Rio Sol nursery next to the old Rancho Bienvenido
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