ABOUT US
Humans for Abundance is a flagship program of Fundación Pachaysana, a non-profit organization that began operations in 2015. Based in Ecuador, Fundación Pachaysana collaborates closely with indigenous and rural communities to restore ecosystems, re-story identities, and promote socio-environmental justice.
Our foundation operates four key programs:
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Humans for Abundance – A socio-environmental restoration initiative focused on regenerative practices and community-led conservation, described in detail on this website.
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The Forest School – An formal schooling initiative co-created with indigenous women to educate the next generation of forest protectors. It blends ancestral knowledge with essential Western skills, all while learning in their native Kichwa language. Learn more on this website.
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Rehearsing Change – A fair-trade study abroad program that unites international students and local communities to co-create solutions for global challenges through experiential learning. Discover more at www.pachaysana.org
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Unlearning – A professional development program that emphasizes decolonial education, inviting participants to unlearn oppressive systems and embrace transformative ways of knowing and being. Find more at www.pachaysana.org
THE HUMANS FOR ABUNDANCE STORY
Born from a deep connection to the land and the people who have lived in harmony with nature for centuries, Humans for Abundance began its journey in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. We recognized that forest conservation and biodiversity restoration are not only environmental imperatives but also essential pathways to cultural resilience and community empowerment.
For generations, Indigenous communities have been forced to live a story shaped by a colonial legacy—a narrative that teaches them to exploit their forests and extract natural resources simply to survive. This imposed system has led to deforestation, toxic monoculture, and unsustainable cattle ranching practices, endangering both the environment and the cultural fabric of these communities.
At Humans for Abundance, we partner with communities to rewrite this story. Together, we are envisioning and creating an alternative path—one that transitions from destructive monoculture and deforestation to regenerative agriculture and the cultivation of food forests.
In this vision, community members become Restorers. By combining ancestral knowledge with modern sustainability practices, they create what the world urgently needs: restored ecosystems, thriving biodiversity, and sustainable food systems. Working within their own territories, these Restorers not only benefit their communities, but contribute to the wellbeing of the entire planet. They are the architects of a future where nature and humanity flourish together.
This journey is made possible through the partnership of Co-Restorers from around the world. These partners provide the financial resources necessary to sustain the work of restoration. Humans for Abundance is the bridge, leveraging technology to create a platform where Restorers and Co-Restorers unite in community - one human family working collectively to regenerate ecosystems and restore human dignity.
THE FOREST SCHOOL STORY
The Forest School is an initiative born from the vision and wisdom of indigenous women who recognized education as the key to breaking the cycles of poverty and environmental degradation. These women understood that the survival of their ancestral knowledge—essential for forest conservation and biodiversity protection—was at risk. With the youth of their community migrating to distant cities in search of education, the forests were left vulnerable to deforestation, and their rich cultural heritage risked being lost forever.
In response, these women called for the creation of the Forest School—a transformative, long-term solution to preserve their ancestral wisdom and empower future generations to thrive. They envisioned a space where young people could learn to protect their forests, reconnect with their roots, and contribute to the global fight against climate change. Unlike business ventures prioritized by the men, the women saw education as the pathway to restoring their lands and revitalizing their community.
The Forest School blends traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices, equipping students with the skills needed to restore ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. Taught in their native Kichwa language, the curriculum blends ancestral wisdom with essential Western skills such as mathematics, English, and Spanish. The school prepares students not only to become guardians of the forest but also leaders in building a sustainable future for their community.
By keeping the youth rooted in their community, the Forest School serves as a vital force in preventing deforestation, strengthening cultural resilience, and fostering sustainable solutions for both the environment and the local economy.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to restore and conserve the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity by empowering people who live in key regions to take concrete, immediate action. At the same time, we aim to create lasting socio-economic impact for indigenous communities who live on the frontlines of sensitive ecosystems.
OUR VISION
Humans for Abundance was founded with the purpose of uniting people globally in what we like to call "the biggest clean-up family party ever." In Latin America, we call these gatherings “mingas,” a tradition where neighbors and friends come together to work in solidarity for the collective well-being of all.
OUR DECADE-LONG APPROACH
Humans for Abundance partners with indigenous families in Ecuador to restore ecosystems and re-story identities through a decade-long, holistic approach. We focus on forest conservation, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable climate solutions while addressing socio-economic challenges.
We begin by identifying communities ready to transition from destructive practices like monoculture to regenerative systems. By providing economic incentives, families become ecosystem Restorers, enabling agroforestry and ecological restoration.
Programs like Rehearsing Change bring international students together with community members, fostering knowledge exchange and healing historical wounds caused by oppression and biodiversity loss. The Forest School prepares the next generation of forest stewards, securing long-term ecosystem conservation and youth empowerment.
Through interconnected efforts in restoration, cultural revitalization, and leadership development, we create a sustainable future for both the land and its people.
OUR VALUES
I Am Because We Are
At Humans for Abundance, we love the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are." This value is at the heart of everything we do, recognizing that our individual well-being is tied to the collective well-being of our communities, our ecosystems, and the Earth.
Pluriversality. We are co-designers of the pluriverse, where multiple ways of understanding the world, of knowing, and of being are valid and valued. We reimagine diversity as pluriversity, treating others as they want to be treated and celebrating marginalized voices.
Balance. We are constantly seeking balance, a creative process realized in interconnection with all living beings.
Justice. We seek to dismantle oppressions and create just alternatives. Our resistance is rooted in collective creation. We act in solidarity, recognizing that our struggles and movements are interwoven.
Celebration. We party in community. If there isn’t dancing, it isn’t revolution.
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