Norberto and Junior

Volunteers typically find a leader in their community with whom to work on projects. Although there is great leadership in my community, I initially struggled to find someone who could devote the time and energy to working on community projects with me. The community had expressed an interest in acquiring and learning to use a computer, and I was excited to teach potential accounting and marketing techniques. However, it took some time to earn the confidence of the community, especially with such delicate issues as money. Throughout my first year, Norberto ( The Secretary of the Tourism Group who handles all the money) and I began working more and more together. Norberto, who used to calculate payroll by hand and had never used a computer before, now knows how to use Excel spreadsheets to calculate payroll and generate contracts in Word. Sky's the limit with Norberto.

Junior, the Chief's son, has also been working on the computer with me. He helped to create the brochures and business cards for the community. We practice English too, in hopes that one day he will be able to give presentations about the Embera culture to English speaking tourists.

I really enjoying working with these 2 guys!

The Rockin Brochure and Business Card my Community made

Lately, I’ve been working with my community on raising our tourism prices. What a delicate situation. For years, Tourism agencies have refused to pay higher prices and give only a small fraction of what they receive from tourists to my community, which can end up being about 20cents per employee for a day’s worth of work (For instance, the agencies receive up to $130 from a tourist but pay only $12 to the community). I have tried to convey to my community the leverage we have and that we are in a position to ask for and receive higher payment. My community offers an awesome experience, and tourists usually have a wonderful time. Also, if we work with other Embera tourism communities to set a standard price throughout this niche in the industry, we are in a strong position to negotiate higher pricing from agencies. Some agencies have recently agreed to our new prices, which has been a huge confidence builder for my community. However, some agencies still insist on paying ultra low prices, and I told my community to tell them to take a hike- we don’t work for free. This advice was a difficult decision to reach on my part because tourism is the only source of income in my community. The past mentality of the village has been that little income is better than none, and so they have been afraid to take the risk of loosing a client. However, I have advised my community to be firm with our new prices and take the chance on loosing some clients. As for those agencies that threaten to halt business with us because they can’t afford our new prices, I invite them to find a better deal. Chances are, they won’t and will either return to us or will pursue other types of tourist excursions. Either way, we are better off.

In the meantime, we are launching a marketing campaign to print business cards and brochures in order to promote the community and establish new tourism agency contacts. We are seeking funds for printing the aforementioned documents, making modifications to our office so we can operate the computer safely in the jungle, and building an Embera display garden to exhibit the important plants for basket weaving, seed and wood carvings, and medicine.

I have submitted a proposal for funds to be donated to this project at
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=525-099
Anyone can donate.

Whats up in the Village these days

I have a busy few weeks ahead of me. My girlscouts, who learned about AIDS during our recent outing, are going to host an AIDS Day and teach information on AIDS and family planning to guys and gals from 4 neighboring Embera Indian communities. I think my girls are excited that it is a good way for them to meet guys, which is why this information is so important. Ahh teenagers. I am also going to help train the new group of Peace Corps volunteers. I guess this makes me a Junior helping the underclassman. Hee hee. I am going to talk to them about creating an organization, writing contracts, human resources, payroll, accounting, and ecotourism services. Soon, I am also giving a Personal Finance seminar in my community- not because they asked for it, but because I’m a nerd and like that type of thing. Plus, it’s really helpful information that can help them plan for emergencies, build a hut addition, buy a boat, and achieve other goals. Famous Debora, as I like to call her since she is an extra in James Bond- Quantum of Solace, is going to help me give this seminar.



My buddies are in the new James Bond Movie: From left to right- Israel, Debora, and Vilka.