We are very pleased to make the following announcement:

YACHANA FOUNDATION - WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND ASHOKA CHANGEMAKERS COMPETITION

Yesterday the Yachana Foundation won an international prize in the World of Geotourism, Conservation, Education and Sustainable Development. The Yachana Foundation (www.yachana.org.ec) - which counts within its various activities Yachana Lodge (www.yachana.com) - a rainforest Lodge, Yachana Gourmet (www.yachanagourmet.com) - a Fair Trade chocolate company, and Yachana High School - a practical school for the youth of the Amazon is one of three winners in the National Geographic and Ashoka Changemakers competition. (http://changemakers.net/en-us/competition/geotourism)

It is with great pride for Ecuador that Yachana receives this prize and at the same time recognition of the work that the Yachana Foundation is doing in promoting the protection and conservation of Amazon cultures and the rainforest environment in this wonderful country of Ecuador.

The competition started with 323 participants from 83 countries, 15 finalists remained in a first selection. Of these 15, three were chosen by international voting by the internet and Yachana was one of those! Winning is a great honour for Yachana and Ecuador and represents a window where the whole world can see both Ecuador as a country and Yachana's Sustainable Development and Education project.