ALTERNATIVE INCOME 

Met steun van Wildlife & People Suriname geeft de Kwintigemeenschappen nu zelf vorm aan hun eigen ecotoerisme-initiatief. Het project is opgezet met inclusieve participatie en benadrukt de versterking van vrouwen. Rollen binnen het initiatief inclusief onder meer gidswerk, gastvrijheid, ambachten en natuurbescherming. Dit zorgt ervoor dat de voordelen lokaal blijven en het beheer en de bescherming van de natuur versterken.

When the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR) was established, the nearby Kwinti communities were not sufficiently consulted. Without fair benefits or rights, some have resorted to unsustainable practices, negatively impacting both their environment and their livelihoods. Ecotourism offers a promising alternative. Currently, tourism in the region is largely dominated by external parties. Local involvement is limited and often reserved for men, exacerbating gender inequality and excluding women from economic opportunities. 

From the outset, this initiative has been driven by the community itself, fostering a strong sense of ownership and responsibility among the Kwinti. With long-term support from WPS, the focus is on strengthening local governance, monitoring, and expanding opportunities within their ecotourism program.