UIAW Rector Luis Fernando Sarango and
Jade Journeys founder Skye Stephenson

GIVING

Jade Journeys is proud to support universities and organizations in the Americas that are striving to preserve their traditional cultures and wisdom at this pivotal moment in planetary history. Jade Journeys founder Dr. Skye Stephenson is head of the US Donors Board of the Intercultural University Amawtay Wasi (UIAW) of Ecuador.

The Intercultural University Amawtay Wasi (UIAW) of Ecuador was developed by the United Indigenous Movement of Ecuador (CONAI). The Ecuadorian indigenous movement has been at the forefront of some of many important environmental and human rights struggles in the Americas. They recently gained a powerful victory with a new Ecuadorian constitution that recognizes Sumak Kawasi, or “Good Living” (rather than “Development”) as the key of government policy.

UIAW began to offer classes in 2006. The mission of UIAW is to have a university that promotes a harmonious relationship between Pachamama (Mother Nature) and Runa (human beings), drawing upon Andean ancestral wisdom. This university is open to all people, everywhere, but its primary audience is for the indigenous peoples of Ecuador. The fourteen nationalities and eighteen pueblos of Ecuador are all represented and welcome at this unique university. It is approved and accredited by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education, but it does not receive any budgeted public funding.

The university offers undergraduate courses in ancestral architecture, agro-ecology and intercultural education and is beginning a program in intercultural medicine. It also collaborates in offering a graduate certificate in intercultural education. It has two hundred undergraduate students. 90% of the students and 60% of the faculty is indigenous. You can find out more about UIAW at www.amawtaywasi.edu.ec

The Board of Directors of UIAW with Jade Journeys founder Skye Stephenson at the ceremony for receiving the donation

In early 2009, Dr. Skye Stephenson led a drive in the United States to raise funds for building a campus center for UIAW and Jade Journeys contributed to this campaign. In April 2009, she was able to give the Rector of UIAW, Dr. Luis Fernando Sarango, a check for $4,000. Jade Journeys LLC continues to receive any donations to this worthy cause, because UIAW has many other projects waiting funding.