Project OKO
Our
Story
Get to Know Us
Started through a partnership between Ecuadorian non-profit Fundación Raiz and U.S. students Vinson Martin and Daniel Eaves, Project Oko has constructed clean water solutions in over 15 Siekopai and Quechua communities in the Amazon Rainforest. Our goal was always simple, to provide clean water solutions to every person in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon, protecting indigenous culture and health and preserving the largest rainforest in the world.
01
Local Emphasis
Our team operates with a strong commitment to local indigenous leadership and autonomy in decision making. We prioritize hiring and training indigenous technicians to be the architects of our solar well systems, which not only benefits our projects but also provides a source of income for the community. We believe in empowering and supporting the communities we work with, and this approach is at the core of everything we do.
02
Water is the Answer
Access to clean water is one of the greatest gifts you can give a community. Clean water decreases spread of infectious disease and, in the Amazon, exposure to cancer-causing heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. On top of this, time spent collecting water by women and children can now go towards starting businesses and pursuing education. For many families, this can be key in improving economic status and quality of life.
03
Environmental Impact
Multiple studies have shown that the presence of indigenous communities greatly reduces deforestation and environmental destruction. However, without access to basic human rights such as clean water, many indigenous youth are leaving their lands in search of better lives. This migration opens up parts of the rainforest to oil and logging companies. By working together to provide basic necessities to indigenous communities, we can empower them to protect the largest rainforest in the world.
