Aguadulce is a community of about 30 families living in both the cloud forest and páramo ecosystems between Bogotá and the town of Choachí. Apart from a few small shop owners, the people of Aguadulce primarily depend on agricultural activities, such as potato and dairy farming, to support their livelihoods. 

 

Several years ago, the Choachí mayor's office provided the means for 13 local community organizations to begin operations in the area. Providing the initial training and uniforms, the local government's hope was to develop Choachí's tourism offering. Unfortunately though, by the time we began working with Ventana de la Luna, they were one of only two organizations remaining...and they were almost at the point of giving up. An association that began with 14 guides was down to a small handful. They had a great product, but without the right connections it was almost impossible to reach potential visitors.

 

Today we are still working to support the association of local guides by bringing visitors to the area, but we are also working with individual members to enhance economic empowerment through small business development.

 

Additionally, we have begun to partner with the school in Aguadulce to develop local capacities and give students access to alternative educational opportunities. The school currently has two separate classrooms for 31 students in 7 different grades, most of whom come from nearby Aguadulce and other small communities within the area.