MA Y 2014 ~ APECA NEWSLETTER APECA El Fundo: Opening New Doors in Amazonia Ever wante d to try something new? Something REAL- LY different ? Something that pu shes the e dges of your comfort zone? If your answer (to any or all of these questions) is “yes,” your natural instinct for exploration may well be kicking in. You may be re ady to participate in an ex- citing learning experience with APECA (Association Promoting Education and Conservation in Amazonia). With APECA, opportunities to learn by doing (experiential exploration), range from meditation and journaling in a jungle setting to participating in a re- search project to determine norms of growth and devel- opment of the riberenios (“riverside people”) of Ama- zonia. Other choices could be to plant trees in a village tree nursery, help in a water construction pro- ject or serve on a vaccine campaign. Taking a photo tour, camping overnight in virgin jungle or playing soccer on a village field are other options. Tree plant- ing, water project construction, vaccination campaigns, photo tours, sleeping in virgin jungle or pla ying soccer on a village field – the possibilities for involvement, learning and service are many! Most importan t - and a certainty for every participant - is working to meet the goals of sustainable conservation. APECA invites y ou to follow that in stinct. To join us. To be a part of our work. Yes, dealing with pove rty, primitive life style, nuances of the indigenous culture and a foreign language are “part of the package,” but you will be changed. You will grow more sensitive and complete. And, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime, one you’ll remember forever. APECA’s study center, El Fundo, chosen for its prox- imity to village communities, is located in the Peruvian Amazon Rainf orest up river from Iquitos. El Fundo is a s afe gathering place where community leaders from surrounding villages come for training workshops. El Fundo is accessible by boat to participants and visitors and to the government officials and professionals who provide much of the training. There are two dormito- ries, a kitchen, dining room and an open -air meeting area. Both do rmitories are multi-use, available as train- ing space and/or overnight accommodations, depend- ing upon the needs of the particular group. Collected rainwater is gravity fed to all campus water systems including the tile bathrooms, which are complete with 1 (See APECA , page 2)