Regarding Universal Basic Income: basic income is an amount of money given periodically and unconditionally to all residents of a community to guarantee their economic subsistence. In other words, the UBI is supposed to be universal, individual, and unconditional.
The Network of Seed Guardians (RGS) in Ecuador accepted the invitation of Misereor, a German agency for welfare cooperation and social, ecological and economic transition, to implement a basic income pilot project (RB+) in the country. RGS identified 60 people who will receive a monthly income of US$250 for two years, with no conditions on the use of these resources.
A particularity in the approach of this project is that seed guardians have proposed partners from their local environments, who have shown interest in moving towards a regenerative transition, sustainability and the Common Good.
A latent threat
Since Juliana was a child, mining has been a latent threat. Those who oppose it, like her family, risk being seen as enemies of progress or even losing their lives. But tireless resistance was the key to last year’s (2023) decision by the citizens of the Metropolitan District of Quito, through a popular consultation, to ban all mining. However, says Juliana, “we should not let our guard down, because the consultation did not affect the concessions already granted in the area”. Moreover, the deceptive attempts of the companies to carry out consultations in order to open the way for exploration continue; it is known that there is gold, silver, bronze, and the ambition to extract other metals has not ceased, at the cost of destroying forests and rivers.
Disguised as people interested in regenerative ranching and reforestation, the miners tried to buy farms in the Andean Chocó. “But after a few years”, says Juliana, “we learned of their objective: they began to bring in machinery, and many people in the community were in favor of it. It was a terrible conflict. The mining companies are destroying the social fabric”. They even tried to buy Juliana’s brother’s farm. “But my brother didn’t want to sell, because his farm is his greatest treasure. I think that’s what drove me to stay and create something that could be profitable without exploiting the land “, says Juliana, who at a young age saw many neighbors give in to the ease of receiving money instead of taking advantage of the fertility of their farms. “That was one of my inspirations”, she continues, “to say no, I want to stay here and create something that is good for the community and for us”.
Natural cosmetic
To leave Juliana’s house, located in the heart of the forest, you have to cross three rivers, something that Juli, who travels by bicycle, enjoys doing, but it complicates sales. Later, they decided to move the production center to the urban part of Quito, where Gabriela’s family offered her grandparents’ house, which had to be renovated to become a laboratory-workshop. It was at this time that Juliana received the Basic Income. Juliana recalls with emotion: “It came from heaven; we made a minga (collective work), we knocked down walls, we painted it, we made it beautiful”. They were also able to invest in a stainless steel table and dark glass containers for essential oils, which are necessary for the quality and registration of their products.
Sales are made online, in several specialized stores in Quito and in Mindo, a tourist destination in the Andean Chocó. At the moment, they have not hired any staff, but between Juliana and Gabriela, are responsible for all the functions of Parwa. They are proud to support small farmers through their enterprise.
Now they listen to me
Parwa’s success has had a very positive impact on the community, especially among women and young people who say, “We can do something, too”. It is neither common nor easy for women to have the opportunity to lead productive processes. In the case of Juliana, who is not only a woman but also the youngest, it has been crucial to keep attending courses and trainings, among which the Design and Permaculture Course organized by Yakunina (https://www.yakunina.com/) in Mashpi stands out. Her family’s farm has always been organic, avoiding agrochemicals. However, certain methods of strengthening soil regeneration, biodiversity and articulating various aspects of daily life for sustainable living, as proposed by permaculture, were new to Juliana. “In my house,” says Juliana, “they started to listen to me; they said, yes, we think she knows. And now I think it’s super nice, because in this farm that we bought, it’s like I’m in front of it ”.
Life projects
“We had a dream, together with my siblings, to buy a farm to avoid exploitation and to preserve biodiversity. And we were all in love with a farm in Pachijal, which is beautiful, with crystal clear water and full of forest. But it was difficult, we didn’t have the money to buy it”, says Juli, referring to her latest project with which she identifies deeply. When she learned that the Basic Income project would be extended for another year, to 24 monthly transfers instead of 12, Juliana took the risk of taking out a loan to participate in the purchase of the farm with her 7 siblings. Juliana’s idea is to move to the farm, build a maloca (communal dwelling) and lodging to welcome tourists who are looking for nature, vegetation and rivers instead of fast food and internet. “Last week we welcomed tourists for the first time in this farm, they loved the place”.
“I have several projects”, Juli concludes, “and the Basic Income has helped me to implement them. At first, it allowed me to do the improvements in Parwa together with Gabriela. But now this project is on its own. The last transfer of $250 will be made in June, in three months. But I am already super-prepared”.
Motivation that is contagious
Despite being the youngest, Juliana has managed to reconnect her siblings’ life projects. “One of the things that has been very strong for me is seeing my siblings with full dreams: of the farm, of tourism, and it has been very difficult for them to achieve what they have always wanted. They always deviated. They always took different paths”, says Juliana. This has given Juliana the motivation to focus on one goal. “I think that if my siblings had received a basic income, they too would have achieved their life’s projects”, Juli concludes.
They have not yet named the farm they bought, but Juliana already has her favorite: “finca de las nutrias” (Otter Farm), in reference to the constant spectacle of these animals enjoying the river and the fruits; and, laughing, she confesses: “I think they will have to accept this name”.
Messages to the Future
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Authors:
- Jorge Krekeler | jorge.krekeler@posteo.de
- Michelle Ruiz
Design:
- Gabriela Avendaño.
Photos:
- Juliana Miranda
- Jorge Krekeler
Contact information regarding the documented experience:
- Juliana Miranda
- yulianita1002@gmail.com
- Instagram: parwa.ec
- Facebook: Parwa cosmética natural
- Red de Guardianes de Semillas – RGS
Edition:
september 2024
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