Muisne, a difficult territory
The canton of Muisne, in the province of Esmeraldas (Ecuador), is known as isla del encanto (enchanted island). The communities that
they live in this land – beautiful – they have been linked, for generations, to the fishing activity: a hard job, but one of the few that the canton offers. This is a difficult territory, where the opportunities for work, education and development are scarce, but crime is high.
Inequalities and economic and social vulnerabilities are the slippery slope on which the girls and boys of Muisne grow up.
Sunrise+: AMU’s project to accompany change
For this reason, AMU has chosen to create – with the Sunrise+ project – a path of professional training and conservation of natural resources , so as to promote eco-sustainable work and entrepreneurship opportunities and combat the ecological damage that is also increasing the social vulnerability of these populations. 
The Sunrise+ project is enriched by a whole series of activities, so to speak, collateral – such as moments of play, training on values, psychological sessions – which are an added value to transform the habits and behaviors of children, young people and adults who make up the communities of the canton of Muisne. These activities are carried out by the Ecological Clubs , who are entrusted with the task of transforming the future of such a complex land.
Jimmy, a boy from the Eco Clubs
Jimmy is an eighteen-year-old boy , a member of the Ecological Clubs network, who has experienced first-hand the impact of this new path supported by Sunrise+ . His “before” days were spent between studying and helping in his father’s mechanical workshop. The rest of the time he spent without many alternatives, waiting for a future that was perhaps already written. Joining one of the Ecological Clubs has determined a decisive change of direction.
Living in a climate of brotherhood
“My life has changed – he says – I found myself surrounded by a group of people who try to help others, in every way, and
with great care for the environment. And they do all this with joy and good humor.”
The climate of brotherhood that reigns in the Ecological Clubs also infects Jimmy, and pushes him to reflect: better here than to fall into the traps of crime, better to work for a positive change, rather than let things go on without any hope of improvement. And he states: ” Being surrounded by people who encourage me to grow in a positive way makes me stronger and more capable of making the right decisions and rejecting the temptation to join criminal gangs”.
