SOLIDARIO 10 FOR THE YASUNI: ECONOMIC REPORT

SOLIDARIO 10K X YASUNI: The  Economic Report under request of two runners


Rossana Manosalvas and Marcelo Garcia wrote comments on the http://21kx24provincias.blogspot.com blog. I contacted Rossana by email but could not find Marcelo. I thank them both for their inquiries. That’s what we should all do: question, protest and not remain silent.

Below are their words and my response with the race’s Economic Report:

“I have read carefully and was surprised to see “If there is any left over money” it will be delivered to research centers in Yasuni. The accountability should be clear, If it’s not, then you’re just using the cause’s name to make money. ”

Greetings.

Rossana Manosalvas.

“The part which says “If there is any money left over…” should be specified. The event and its expenses were supposedly planned for already. Many of us ran for Yasuni. But, if we had been told that it wasn’t certain that the money would support the cause, we may not have participated.” Marcelo Garcia.

Dear Rossana,
I don’t know your email but I hope that we can make contact through this message. When you organize a race for the first time, as in my case, there’s no way to know if there will be enough people enrolled in order to reach a balance point; let alone know if there will be any profit. We clearly stated that if there are any leftover funds they will support one of the two research centers located in Yasuni. We were able to cover costs thanks to support from Banco Solidario, a company that wishes to continue supporting the cause without seeking any benefit. Running 504kms is clear. I hope we can unite to build conscious and not doubt.
Warm hugs,
Lourdes

From: Rossana Manosalvas [mailto:rossanamanosalvas@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, February14, 2013 11:10 a.m.
To: HERNANDEZ VASCONEZ MARIA DE LOURDES
Subject: Response

Dear Maria de Lourdes:
Thank you for answering. Even though I understand that you are unable to know how many people will enroll in the race, I believe that the case of Yasuni should not be used as a motivation to compete, if there is no effective support to this vital environmental issue.
No, it is not specified when you enroll, it merely says so on the blog; about the funds available to contribute with Yasuni.
It seems like the issue of alternatives to petroleum extraction is being taken lightly. 
There are people and organizations (aside from those two research centers) that work on environmental issues; they could have supported you.
Personally, as a citizen, I exercise my right to be informed; in this case, I want to know if the SOLIDARIO 10K race does what it says, I expect that in exchange.

Greetings,
Rossana Manosalvas

From: HERNANDEZ VASCONEZ MARIA DE LOURDES
Sent: Thursday, February14, 2013 12:27 p.m.
To: 'Rossana Manosalvas'
Subject: RE: Response

Hello Rossana, thank you for contacting me and for expressing your concerns, they have been helpful. It is absolutely true that out accounting and purpose must be public. It would be my pleasure. I will publish a blog (this one) regarding that with the purpose to convey the Solidario 10k x el Yasuni’s results in other ways.

Did you know that the Challenge 21x24 (run 21k in each province for the sake of Yasuní) came to be with a single objective: to build awareness among Ecuadorians about the treasure that Yasuní is; that it is in danger, that it’s being exploited.
My idea was to run alone. But, my friends and runners that became my friends started adding along. They each devoted their money and themselves. Banco Solidario, where I work, decided to support me because this project goes hand in hand with their philosophy of sustainability. Of course I thanked them and we moved forward with the 24 provinces.
When we finished the 504kms, the over 150 runners that had come together said: What else are we going to do? My boss at the bank said: What else are we going to do? That’s why I contacted Soledad Darquea at Podium and we saw the opportunity of organizing a race that would be Cross Podium’s second edition, as a closure of the Challenge and the beginning of new paths. Until then, the objective was the same. Build awareness about Yasuni’s protection (And the Amazon in general. For example, in Zamora Chinchipe we ran through the Podocarpus Forest too; we wore T-Shirts donated by the Ministerio de Ambiente (Environment Secretary))

 Also, since the beginning (October 2010) I contacted the Yasuni ITT Initiative. They gave me bracelets, caps and also collaborated so I could obtain a permit to enter Yasuni to complete the Challenge. I have an ideological connection with Fundación Amazonía por la Vida  (Amazonian Foundation for Life) and Fundación Pachamama (Mother Earth Foundation).
When I was asked whether we would give any leftover funds to ITT, I spoke to the organizers and runners and they all said no; that it’s unsure if the initiative will reach its objective. They said we should those who are inside the park breaking their backs to protect the reserve.
The total cost for the race was $ 27, 062 dollars. We finished off paying for the following bills: chips, tents, canvases, permits, publicity, hand-outs, ciclopaseo (bike-path) and chaquiñan (narrowpath) access, press conference at the Dann Carlton Hotel, cash prizes, purchase orders, backpacks, medals, T-shirts, staff uniforms, runner numbers, buses from Quito’s southern area, portable toilets and coordination in general.

The sponsors were: Álamo (they covered each runner for the day with insurance and sponsored the event), Vivant and Gatorade (with beverages) and Banco Solidario that covered the costs that enrollment and Álamo’s support did not cover. 
As you could see, the organization was quite good; we complied with all the rules, permits and requirements for runners and the public, etc. There are always some things left to improve. But, we made a huge effort.

The surplus was ($1,250) which will be invested in an investigation project run by PUCE (Catholic University of Ecuador) and/or a book published by USFQ(San Francisco de Quito University) and the Web of Life which have awoken concern countrywide and worldwide regarding the Amazon’s treasures. It’s not much. But, Banco Solidario has the intention of sponsoring another race in Manabi (you’ll be notified) and with this, we intent to increase support for what we have proposed in this area.

Beyond providing funds to one project or another, the objective to achieve that people the territory as their own. To respect nature for the sake of their children and grandchildren. It’s the greatest collaboration that one can give. Don’t you think? To achieve a non-extractivist mentality.

I am open to any other inquiries or suggestions. We can even arrange a meeting.
Warm hugs and thanks again,


Lourdes H

PS:  Just in case, do you know Marcelo Garcia? He also wrote a comment, I would like to contact him.

From: Rossana Manosalvas [mailto:rossanamanosalvas@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 10:43 a.m.
To: HERNANDEZ VASCONEZ MARIA DE LOURDES
Subject: Re: Response
Thanks again for your thorough response. What I wrote is not intended to question your intentions, nor those of the people who believe in taking action to support a cause; in this case, to support Yasuni.
In fact, I think there should be more people like you so things can start working and moving. (…)
As regards the struggle to change our consumption-driven and extractivist mentality, we fight it each day. (…)
Kind regards,
Rossana Manosalvas
P.S. No, I don’t know Marcelo Garcia.