I have observed the initiation of CONAPAC since the 1980's and have participated as a volunteer in its Adopt A School program since 2013. CONAPAC is a partnership of Peruvians and international supporters, in particular the Detroit Zoo and US teachers, and is based in Iquitos, Peru under the aegis of Explorama Tours. Donations have allowed continuous support for over 50 villages along the Amazon and Napo Rivers and their kindergarten, primary and secondary students. I admire several points in this non profit: (1) programs are designed to address specific needs of the Peruvians; (2) support is contingent on a contract among village leaders, school leaders-- local and district, CONAPAC, and Explorama staff of accepted conditions; (3) appropriate resources are provided to students; and, (4) education provided to teachers; and assessment throughout the year. When CONAPAC staff observed use of water direct from Amazon and high incident of intestinal parasites and other water borne health issues, the Adopt a Drop was initiated to provide various filtering systems for river water. Again, training, education and continuous oversight/support for village adults has resulted in fewer health issues in the participating villages. This sort of sustained programs is unique, and assessment as an integrated part and the partnerships allows for authentic communication. This is not a "Drop off and leave" program"--CONAPAC has over two decades of involvement. CONAPAC continues to identify and address issues within its capacity. CONAPAC is the most effective non profit with which I have ever interacted.
Whatever your passion, CONAPAC has something for you! Conservation? They’re on it? Children? Education? Clean water? Economic development? cross cultural experiences? CONAPAC has been working with villages in the upper Amazon for more than 30 years. They provide ongoing support to families with a hand up, not a hand out. A great bang for your buck. More than 95% of the money donated to directly to the program for which it is designated.
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I was introduced to CONAPAC in 2002 while on an adventure trip and I visited a tiny village involved in the Adopt A School project. CONAPAC began in 1993 with the Adopt A School project. Education is important in Peru, and it is free, but all the government provides is a teacher and a building. The students must provide their own pencils, pens, notebooks and other necessities for school. This is extremely difficult, bordering on impossible, for many river families. In 2019 almost 3,000 students received school supplies through this program!
But, CONAPAC is so much more than education. They are involved in conservation education, a clean water program, the construction of school kitchens, a magnificent library, and economic development.
CONAPAC gets an A+ in fiscal responsibility! Approximately 96% of all donated money goes directly into the program not salaries or overhead costs.
CONAPAC even encourages volunteers to get involved. You can actually see where your money goes and visit the village you are helping. Once you meet the people (to whom you are giving a hand up not a hand out) and you put faces and personalities to your donation your life will be changed forever. Mine was.
My first of many trips to Peru with this amazing organization was in 2019. I was overwhelmed at the commitment to education these people possess, often taking their children to school in a canoe when the villages flood. The first village we visited was quite large and we met in a large community room. The children were seated around the perimeter, in their white shirts and dark pants or skirts, not a wrinkle in them (there are few if any electric irons). There was not a peep, this huge room of children with their excited eyes watching us expectantly. They were so well behaved, but too somber. So I grabbed a ball and I saw their eyes light up mischievously, and I started a game of volleyball, they soon were laughing and playing. I also love to dance and there is always music at the villages so another way I would engage the children was to dance with them. They also loved my phone and loved taking selfies!! I got a really bad case of jungle fever from those children and I will be going back every year until I no longer can, and I adopted a village!!! This organization does so much for these people and they are such good stewards of our help!!!!
I was introduced to CONAPAC and the Amazon Adopt-A-School program in 2008. I am a teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada and was given the opportunity for a presentation for my students by someone who traveled there. We were, as a school, motivated to help this amazing organization because of how much of our students donations went directly to benefit the Amazon Adopt-A-School program, the conservation efforts and economic developments. I have traveled to Peru the last five years as a volunteer and have seen firsthand the tireless efforts of every person within this organization and the immense impact that they have had within the communities. This program has allowed us to involve thousands of students in Las Vegas form a connection with the children of the Amazon while donating to assist with the education and conservation efforts with this incredible organization.
Estamos muy felices de haber sido invitados por el Laboratorio de Ornitología de Cornell para colaborar con CONAPAC en el Taller para Docentes 2019 “Celebra las Aves en la Amazonía Peruana" para llevar conocimiento y el amor por las aves a los docentes de diferentes localidades.
Reconocemos y felicitamos la gran labor que realiza CONAPAC para apoyar la educación de las niñas y los niños de la maravillosa Amazonía Peruana, el compromiso con la comunidad para poder asegurar la calidad de vida de las futuras generaciones, viviendo de una manera sustentable.
Gracias por apoyar a las comunidades de la Amazonía Peruana, acercando el conocimiento así como las herramientas y la tecnología necesaria para que puedan desarrollarse plenamente.
Gracias por hacernos sentir como en casa, fue un honor colaborar con ustedes.
Cecilia Alvarez y Juan Flores
Green Jay Bird Conservancy
Cancún, México
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We are very happy to have been invited by the Ornithological Laboratory of Cornell to collaborate with CONAPAC in the Teachers Workshop 2019 "Celebrate Birds in the Peruvian Amazon" to bring knowledge and love for birds to teachers from different locations.
We recognize and congratulate the great work carried out by CONAPAC to support the education of girls and boys of the wonderful Peruvian Amazon, the commitment with the community to ensure the quality of life of future generations, living in a sustainable way.
Thank you for supporting the communities of the Peruvian Amazon, bringing knowledge and the necessary tools and technology so that they can be fully developed.Thank you for making us feel at home, it was an honor to collaborate with you.
Cecilia Alvarez y Juan Flores
Green Jay Bird Conservancy
Cancún, México.
I am very proud to be a donor to the fine work that is being done by Conapac. The organization does a very good job of supporting the rural villages while seeing that the same villages respect the environment around them. The group has a small hardworking staff so I know the vast majority of my donation goes to supported causes.
CONAPAC is definetly the best organization to help people, mainly children, in the peruvian amazon rainforest. I had the opportunity to be a volunteer many times with CONAPAC. It is amazing the great job that they do.
Desde hace nueve años comparto esperiencias inolvidables con Conapac, la amazonia peruana se ha convertido en un paraíso, gracias a sus recursos naturales y su gente. La educación se ha convertido en una herramienta fundamental del desarrollo sostenible y la conservación. cada día un niño es una esperanza al futuro para asegurar que el pulmón del mundo siga protegiendo a millones de personas... Gracias a Conapac esto ha sido posible.
I have volunteered then worked directly for CONAPAC since 2005. I now sure on the board of directors. There are many causes and many more good people out there with whom I could associate myself. However, every year of engagement with this NGO's goals and the people and institutions involved (Amazon Explorama Lodges and the Detroit Zoological Society) has only strengthened my resolve and commitment to its causes--environmental education, clean water and community economic development in rural Peruvian Amazon communities .
This is a phenomenal organization. They work hard to meet the needs of local communities in the Amazon (clean water, farming, education ect). I've experienced first hand their work providing educational materials and opportunities for students. They work hard to partner with local communities and foster a love and appreciation of nature within each community.
In country partnerships are invaluable to small nonprofits like ours (Adopt a Village). CONAPAC has been that invaluable link, and so much more.
The current Director of CONAPAC goes the extra mile in partnering with rural communities along the Amazon and its tributaries to build a more sustainable future.
For over 5 years, CONAPAC has identified villages in need of water filtration, school community kitchens, and potential micro business projects.
I traveled to the Peruvian Amazon this past April and saw first hand how CONAPAC assists communities to grow crops more effectively through agricultural and conservation trainings, as well as providing support in marketing their agro products. I also visited several villages that, with CONAPAC assistance, have successfully planted native crops for which agro buyers have been identified down river in Iquitos.
It would not be possible for our small non profit to participate in such promising projects without partnering with CONAPAC.
As a Board member of IFED (International Fund for Economic Development) which is a CONAPAC Partner, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the efforts of this organization in the Peruvian Amazon. IFED has been part of and a long time supporter of many of the CONAPAC endeavors, from the sewing project, to the library, to the chess club, and the impact of these undertakings has been a joy to witness. More recently, under the capable direction of Brian Landever, CONAPAC has undertaken a long term and sustainable project by which the local rural communities receive fruit tree saplings, agricultural training, and ongoing logistical support. Buyers in the city (Iquitos) have agreed to purchase fruit from these growers, bringing sustainable income to each of the communities involved. Mr. Landever approached this significant project with much pre-planning with both short term and long term goals. Those goals were not just related to the agricultural and logistic aspects and challenges of a project of this scope and type, but the related financial needs as well. In short, there is in place a well-thought out plan to achieve a significant benefit for the communities which CONAPAC serves. I mention this because often non-profits mean well and dream big, but execution fails because the organizations cannot plan and project in a business-like manner. CONAPAC brings passion and marries it with solid operating procedures, and IFED looks forward to further collaboration with this organization.
As the founder and owner of Global Access 2030 (a water filtration system), I have had the privilege to work with Brian Landever and CONAPAC and visit villages along the Amazon and Napo Rivers. CONAPAC provides access to our water filtration system to over fifty villages in the Peruvian Amazon. Staff instructs residents regularly on the use and maintenance of the water filtration system and the benefits of safe drinking water. Regular follow-up visits ensure the filtration system is functioning properly, filters are cleaned daily, bacteria and parasites are non-existent, and the system is in good working condition. They are dedicated to, and deeply concerned for safe, clean drinking water and healthy environments.
GREAT JOB CONAPAC!
It was my first going to Peru and participated in the CONAPAC's Adopt a School project. The whole experience was amazing, fulfilling, and one-of-a-kind I admire the promises that CONAPAC has made to the villages and people, which is that they no matter what, they would deliver the school supplies to the participating villages. I am proud and honored to partake in this program.