We believe people everywhere can benefit from the bounty of the Amazon without destroying it, starting with

the people who live there. The people of the Amazon are the stewards of this natural resource. They have much to teach the world about all that the rainforest has to offerincluding benefits to health and the environment. Runa is a hybrid social enterprise, composed of both forprofit and non-profit organizations in the US and Ecuador. Runa works with indigenous people to share the secrets of the Amazon by creating new markets for products they produce. One of these secrets is Guayusa (gwhyyou-sa), a native Amazonian tree leaf that has been brewed like tea by indigenous communities as a source of energy and nutrition for thousands of years. By producing guayusa, Runa creates positive impact using a unique breadth of organizational capacity and flexibility. Our triple bottom line mission: planet, people, profit, works towards rainforest conservation, creation of profitable livelihoods, and promotion of the ancient wisdom of native cultures. Fundacin Runa is the non-profit branch of Runa based in Ecuador. We aim to provide tools and resources to indigenous communities and farmers associations, working towards their vision of sustainable development in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We focus on three core areas: social empowerment, community development, and environmental management. We are looking for volunteers and interns to work with Fundacin Runa in Ecuador to further our community development programs and grow our ecosystem conservation and research programs. Runa offers volunteers a unique opportunity to directly experience the cultural, environmental, and organizational elements of our work in collaboration with our diverse team of professionals. We both engage in and actively support the traditions we represent, and work hard while having a good time. Interns with Fundacin Runa will take on longer placements working alongside our team in the Amazon. They will work on a range of projects, contributing to ground breaking research on Guayusa and developing sustainable projects with indigenous communities. In addition to enjoying life in the Upper Amazon, volunteers and interns will engage in the rigorous and dedicated culture that characterizes Runa. As an American-managed organization, communication, transparency, and dialog are hugely important to us, and we provide constant support, training, and guidance to our volunteers and interns. Our 30-person staff in Ecuador is often called La Familia Runa because we are so close, supportive, and have such a good time together. The people of Runa are forward-thinking farmers, young entrepreneurs, and seasoned advisorsall working together to pioneer new ways to create value that benefits people and the planet. Our Fundacin Runa Executive Director, Eliot Hines, graduated from the Yale School of Forestry, and actively works with all volunteers and interns to share his knowledge and guide their experiences. Runas work is highly collaborative, cutting edge, and adventurous at every turn. We invite you to join us in the Ecuadorian Amazon!

Internship program We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic and adventurous interns to join us in the Amazon jungle and help support the growth of this budding social enterprise. Interns with Fundacin Runa will have the chance to take on groundbreaking research in a range of fields described below. Interns will work alongside our experienced technicians and engineers in the field, and also have the chance to participate in cultural exchange events and guayusa ceremonies. Accommodations: Volunteers and Interns stay in Casa Runa in Tena. The house is a 3-story house and sleeps 6-7 people. It is a 10-minute walk from the centre of Tena in Barrio Las Hierbitas. The house has a kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, hot water and a balcony with a hammock and a beautiful view of the river and the jungle. All bedding is provided. Volunteers and interns are responsible for their own food, but often cook communally.

Price: $1600 for 8-week program and accommodation $200 per week for additional weeks Length of Project: minimum 8 weeks Internship opportunities Community Development: Interns and researchers on our community development team will work with Fundacin Runa and the farmers association to survey the needs of indigenous communities. Summer 2011 interns began the process of designing the survey, field work is now needed to interview all 60 communities who work with Runa. This information will be gathered for planning of future projects . Agroforestry System Design: Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a native holly tree to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Historically, the tree has been wild harvested or cultivated in small quantities. Runa works with indigenous farmers to boost production of guayusa by growing it in agroforestry systems. Researchers on our agroforestry team will work with farmers and Runa field technicians to design a participatory research initiative. Agricultural Economics: Interns and researchers on our economic team will investigate the costs and benefits of guayusa production in the Napo region. They will work with our local field team and farmers to calculate net present value of guayusa plantations, opportunity costs, and the social/environmental benefits of production. Forest Conservation and Watershed Management: Interns and researchers on our conservation team will work in the communities of Santa Rita and Alto Tena to monitor conservation buffer zones around the Colonso Protected Forest. The Colonso Forest is a 10,000 hectare (22,000 acre) reserve of primary rainforest that serves as the water source for the towns of Tena and Archidona. Requirements: o Minimum age 18 o Minimum 8 week commitment (40 hours/week) o Industry professionals, graduate/undergraduate students majoring in international studies, environmental science, policy, business, agriculture, or a related field. o Full travel & medical insurance o Necessary vaccinations o Necessary flights & visas o Experience in Latin America and/or working in a rural setting desirable Contact Information

After Volunteering or Interning with Runa: Runa deeply values the time volunteers and interns give to support us in our project, and we are committed to supporting our interns and volunteers after their time with us. Below are some examples of how we have supported previous volunteers and interns. Volunteer hired as full time Sales Rep in USA with benefits Volunteer hired as Regional Coordinator in Ecuador Volunteer hired as Volunteer and Internship Coordinator in Ecuador Volunteer hired as Architect in Ecuador Helped volunteer get new internship with bustling tech start up in San Francisco Fully paid to bring volunteers to Las Vegas to attend the World Tea Expo with Runa Helped volunteer receive a Fulbright Grant to come back and work with Runa. Wrote recommendation letters for MBA programs Intern hired as graphic designer Volunteer Profile Name: Gaby Costa Age: 23 From: Loja, Ecuador Gabys Experience: I volunteered for Runa about a year before finishing my university studies. I found not just a new way of doing business, but also a meaningful objective behind it. I found a real sense of life purpose. Ive always been interested in development, and I think Runa finds an excellent way of reaching it through fair trade. What I also found attractive is that many small communities participate in Runas project. I remember that a Runa tecnico called Silverio took me to visit a Kichwa community. He explained the indigenous customs to me, for example how there is a curaca who leads the group. He taught me a few words in Kichwa so I was able to say hi and thank you when it was needed. It was the first time in my life that I was in such close contact with a family from this side of Ecuador. Its such a worthwhile way of understanding the wisdom and nature of the people. Moreover, I met interesting people from the United States, Mxico, Brazil, and Europe. The experience mixes a lot of elements; encouraging intercultural education, commerce, training and fortifying the cultural heritage. Also I had the chance to get to know the deepest and wildest part of naturethe pacha mama (mother earth) and its stories. It was very meaningful to take such a trip, both spiritually and from an academic perspective. I am glad there are people engaged and working towards Runas goals.