SKY Katitawa

In Kichwa, Sumak Kawsay Yachay means “Beautiful life with education.” Located in the vibrant Indigenous community of Salasaca, Ecuador, our foundation is dedicated to preserving and nurturing the rich culture and traditions of our people through education. Founded in 1996, our mission is rooted in nurturing the cultural richness and traditions of the Salasaca community through education and mutual learning. Volunteers play a crucial role in our foundation's journey. They engage in meaningful cultural exchanges, sharing their knowledge while immersing themselves in Salasaca's traditions.

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Activities include:

• Teaching English: Classes cater to different age groups, fostering dynamic learning environments from Monday to Thursday at SKY's Katitawa school.
• Pachamama's Garden: Volunteers assist in gardening under the guidance of Francisca Masaquiza, who oversees the cultivation of a variety of essential vegetables like zucchinis, peppers, and potatoes for sustenance within our volunteer community.
• Community Maintenance: Every week, volunteers gather to deep clean Hosteria Pachamama, focusing on communal areas such as the kitchen, living room, communal bathrooms, terraces, and their bedrooms. Volunteers are expected to promptly clean the kitchen after use and ensure their bedrooms are tidy, including removing sheets before departure.
• Cultural Exchange: At the SKY Foundation, cultural exchange is at the heart of our mission. Long-term volunteers play a pivotal role in coordinating diverse activities that enrich both our community and their own experiences. They lead language classes, facilitate workshops, promote cultural awareness, and manage our social media channels.​ ​
• Community Work: Volunteers contribute to ongoing social and community projects. Recent efforts include constructing a home for a widow with three children and one grandchild. This work is intermittent, so if you're interested in participating, please inquire beforehand.

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​Volunteers experience rich interaction and immersion within the Indigenous community. They actively engage in local festivities and celebrations, such as baptisms and weddings. Volunteers are warmly invited to observe and participate in cultural traditions like weaving fajas, spinning yarn, and preparing traditional dishes such as colada morada, guinea pig with potatoes, and llapingachos. On special occasions, volunteers may even have the chance to wear traditional Salasaca clothing.​​

​Volunteers are the heartbeat of our foundation. At the SKY Foundation, volunteers don't just give their time; they embark on a unique journey of cultural exchange and mutual learning, guided by the principle of "Ranti Ranti". This concept emphasizes reciprocity, mutual respect, and shared learning, where volunteers share their knowledge and skills while learning from the rich culture, traditions, and way of life of the Salasaca people. These interactions forge lasting bonds between volunteers, community members, and the land of Salasaca itself.​​