Where did the Mingas go?
At 53, the September winds in Vilcabamba sometimes carry whispers of bygone days. I vividly remember my childhood in Guayaquil, when the "minga" wasn't a foreign word, but rather an integral part of the community. Neighbors would come together, share tools, and the neighborhood would be transformed because everyone pitched in. Over the years, that social fabric unraveled, turning us into concrete islands in a sea of individual anxieties.
Today, the land calls to us again with an urgent voice. After the forest fires that scarred our valley two years ago and with the imminent arrival of El Niño, Vilcabamba faces its own vulnerability.
In this context, the Vilcabamba Planetarium Festival 2026 whose main focus is the commitment to leave a "Community Legacy": a promise that our hands will touch the same land that those of the past cared for, acting before the smoke once again clouds our horizon in the sacred valley of Vilcabamba.
The Power of Anticipating: Prevention over Reaction
This movement runs counter to the current of modernity, which tends to react only when disaster makes the news. In Vilcabamba, we have decided that true wisdom lies in preparing the way while the skies are still clear. Building firebreaks in times of community peace is an act of love and respect for the bioregion that sustains us.
Recognizing our recent history compels us to understand that emergencies must be addressed before the first spark. This is a painstaking task, requiring citizens who understand that their territory is their home.
One of the trees planted by the "Collective Germination" initiative after the 2024 fires
«"Our goal is to prioritize prevention over reaction and build an organized community that actively takes care of its home.".
The Community Legacy and the reactivation of the mingas is manifested in the shared sweat and the learning of the territory as a space of life.
These workshops, coordinated with the collective Collective Germination, the Vilcabamba Bioregion, the Local Assembly for Citizen Participation of Vilcabamba, he Fire brigade, Neighborhood leaders and various local individuals and organizations are joining in, representing another step towards healing our relationship with the environment. The dates for the community work days are:
- Sunday, September 27th: Minga of firebreak construction in Saint Peter.
- Saturday, October 3rd: Minga of firebreak construction in Capamaco.
- The goal is to mobilize among 50 and 60 volunteers per day; in a space where, through physical work and learning, we seek to build layers of protection at critical points in the valley. Every effort counts!.
The goal: a network of 200 Guardians
For Carolina B. (one of the coordinators of the minga), the vision transcends these two dates, seeking to be a seed of an active network of 200 guardians which will remain operational year-round. This collective effort will reach its peak on November 8, during the Festival, when this Legacy is officially presented to the community.
From that moment on, the network will maintain the pulse of the bioregion through:
- Constant maintenance of firebreaks.
- Reforestation and restoration of affected areas.
- Permanent actions for monitoring and care of the territory.
To ensure that no volunteer is left behind, we have forged an alliance with the taxi cooperatives of Vilcabamba. We have a specific fund to cover previously agreed rates, ensuring organized and efficient transport to the work sites.
What if I have difficulty climbing the mountain?
For his part, Riky C. comments that, in this regard, protecting the valley becomes a tapestry where every fiber matters. If your hands can't hold a machete, your commitment can manifest itself in other vital ways:
- The Voice that summons: Repost the information on your social networks. Communication is the engine that drives action.
- Supply Management: Come closer restaurants, shops and hardware stores Premises for managing donations. A roll of hose or a sack of oranges is as valuable as a shovel.
- Friendly Logistics: Talk to drivers you know to arrange additional transfers.
- Dissemination Alliance: Go2Vilcabamba It officially joins this effort as a communications partner, ensuring the strength of the message.
What is needed now?
For the work of volunteers to be effective, we require professional-grade tools. It is essential to understand that this equipment is not for single use; They will be part of the permanent community team., guarded by the community for future prevention and regeneration work.
Tools and Costs Required:
- Professional brushcutters: We are looking to purchase 1 to 3 brushcutters. Reference prices: Husqvarna 545RX: approx. $1,075 USD or Maruyama BCV5020: approx. $1,059 USD.
- Hand tools: 20 shovels, 20 machetes and 20 pairs of heavy-duty gloves.
- Transportation fund: We estimate between $160 and $400 USD for initial mobilization.
Hydration and Sustenance: To fuel the spirit of 60 volunteers, we need:
- Drinking water and fresh fruit.
- Chicha, the sacred drink that brings us back to our roots.
- A hearty meal to end the day with gratitude.
How can we help today? (Channels of Action)
If you feel this calling resonates with you, here are the paths to channel your support:
- Physical Locations: Donation amphorae in Juice Factory, La Baguette French Bakery Y Aqwa.
- Digital Contributions: PayPal to email waltermoora@gmail.com.
- Direct contact: To join as a volunteer or coordinate material donations, write to us on WhatsApp. 09 397-4101.
The legacy we are building is not just a cleared strip of land; it is the recovery and reaffirmation of our identity as children of this valley. By protecting San Pedro and Capamaco, we are celebrating our territory and demonstrating that we are a community capable of listening to one another before danger knocks on our door.
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