Small money can make a big difference
When we stumbled across this remote beach in Southern flores, Indonesia - we fell in love. It's stunning. We spent more and more time with the local community and fell even more deeply in love - they have a rich culture, strong families and a deep connection
to their land. However, they are deeply impoverished - the first road only reached the area in the 80's. One of the only income streams available was taking and selling turtle eggs to traders from Jakarta!
Changing a community and saving the turtles
Working with the community we developed a new plan. We hire the former poachers to become "Rangers" they protect the nests and get paid. We help teach English, guiding and conservation. With volunteers and guests we are developing sustainable income streams
that they never had access to. The model we are putting in place is already a success, with the support of the whole community.
Until the overall project is financially self-sustaining (in 2017) we will need support for protecting the nests. This can be small donations, volunteering or just coming and joining us for a few nights!
* $50 saves an entire turtle nest!
* We have 5 nests on the beach now that we don't have funds for :(
* We expect at least 5 more nests during the upcoming low season - when we will have no income sources
* We have already saved more than 1,000 turtles in 2015
Your support helps us continue this model for others to follow.
We are showing the community that their natural resources have a clear financial value. That these are not things to be sold - but parts of their heritage that others value. The protection of the nests is the first step in this program.
* There are several community members who go before sunrise each morning to look for nests or hatchings
* If nests are found, we mark the spots with GPS, check if location is appropriate (won't get washed away, damaged by predators, etc)
* The nests are checked periodically over the next 45-60 days
* Most hatchings occur during New or full moons when tides are highest
* After the hatchings we examine the nests, counting the shells and helping any still trapped babies.
* Once a nest is hatched, we reward the Ranger with a per-egg payment (Typically $50) in public ceremony.
* This is more than a typical monthly wage, and also models the value.
It takes time, passion and funds - we already have two!
We are committed to this community and to this project. Having already put more than one year in to this and a huge hunk of our heart, we have spent all our money! We need your help to protect the turtles over the coming months - we are actively making a
positive change with more than 1000 turtles saved in 2015,
Help us and get amazing treats!
For $25 we will send you a hand-drawn turtle made by one of the children from the village
For a $100 donation we will name a nest after you AND send along a turtle drawing!
That amazing person who contributes $500 - you will get a hand-woven Songke. These are worn as skirts by both men and women. The weaving takes more than 30 days to make a single one, and is the primary source
of income for the women of the village. One of the women from the village is willing to give one of these to an amazing donor!! We will also name a nest after you AND send along a drawing of a turtle!
Anything over our donation goal goes towards building a new water supply for the village! That's cement, sand/gravel and piping. The water supply is about 1km away from the village and the total cost for materials is about $1000. So please don't hesistate
keep giving!
Learn more:
http://www.wickedadventures.com/pante-hera-turtle-beach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pantahera
