Traditionally, in many local communities, jobs and economic freedom for women are limited. While many lodges in the Amazon do not hire women as an employment policy, in our Kichwa community and at Sani Lodge, all members of the community are included. In fact, we proudly partner with the SANI WARMI project, which empowers the women of Sani Isla to run their own business making and selling artisan crafts constructed from local seeds, vines, and fibers. This business provides a sustainable source of income for the women and their families while encouraging the protection of over 42,000 hectares of pristine rainforest from outside intrusions.
Sani Warmi also manages the freshwater turtle reinsertion project, where guests can adopt, for a contribution, a small «charapa» turtle from the rescue center for its release, thus contributing to the repopulation of this endangered species.
The Sani Warmi project was started in 2008 in partnership with the nonprofit Rainforest Partnership, based in the United States, besides the local Conservación y Desarrollo. The project was started to fight against the increasing pressures the community has faced from greed companies wanting to use our lands for oil prospecting. Sani Warmi combines small business development and environmental education in order to make this project successful in helping to protect over 42,000 hectares of pristine rainforest.
Sani Lodge and Sani Warmi are emblematic projects in the South American Amazon and are a world reference for the conservation of tropical forests. Together, they have managed to merge sustainability, community work and tourism in a responsible way.