Runa LLC/Fundación Runa

We now have seven fully constructed nurseries in Ecuador, and about 10,000 plants growing in nurseries alone, with another ~ 30,000 on the way next month.  We also just finished a Quality Control design for a factory that will produce 3,000 kilos of dried guayusa* per month.  We are planning to start the full architectural and structural designs this week, and are planning to break ground next March-April-May.  So, now would be a great time to explore alernate fueling sources for the factory, to see if we can incorporate a more sustainable technology sooner rather than later.

Since we started work in Ecuador, we have made major steps in developing supply chain.  In Napo & Pastaza provinces, we currently work with about 650 farmers in 80 different communities. We planted approx. 50 hectares of guayusa agroforests in October, and our goal is 150 in November.  All of this was done via our field teams of indigenous agronomists, technicians, and agricultural engineers, who are still expanding our network to dozens of communities monthly. 

All of our work has been done directly in partnership with Amazonian communities, with whom we seek to build relationships based on transparency, honesty, and constant dialog.  These are the major values of Runa’s work, and translate into the message we are working to build with consumers.  We recently started sales of whole leaf guayusa, and will soon be selling it in bagged form as well.  Through this, we can introduce all the benefits of the plant, as well as its history and central role in the indigenous cultures of Ecuador, to the American marketplace.  We are building a strong brand, and working to develop great-tasting all natural bottled products, to further expand this exchange of plant traditions within the Americas.  All of us at Runa feel very fortunate to be playing a central part in this work, and are very grateful for the opportunity to build this work and these connections.  In many ways, this is the fruition of all of our dreams, as well as the dreams of the communities with whom we work.  With such a solid base, our future feels very bright.

*A truly balanced stimulant with a naturally sweet taste, guayusa - a caffeinated holly leaf from the Ecuadorian Amazon - not only contains caffeine to awaken the mind, but also is rich in vitamins and amino acids to fortify the body.  Its combined effect is one of sustained energy, mental clarity, and what the indigenous Kichwa people call "mental strength and courage."  Indigenous hunters drink guayusa to sharpen their instincts and call it the "Night Watchman" because it helps them stay alert and awake all night.  Guayusa is an excellent tea for an early morning wake-up call, an afternoon boost of focus and attention, or a late night lift of energy.

Personal Statement

I have always placed a high value on integrated living; I place the highest importance on finding ways to combine my passions and values with the other priorities in my life to find fulfilling and satisfying work. I’ve always found that the people I most admired were those individuals who manage to live fully as complete and empowered humans, while devoting themselves to a cause larger than any one person. It is incredibly fitting, then, that “Runa”, the Kichwa word that we chose for our project and organizations, means “fully living, empowered, and spirited human being.” Runa combines my myriad skills and passions, my community and networks, and my desire to actively create a body of work that will have lasting positive effects on the world. Runa's work addresses aspects of conservation, public health, community development, agroforestry, social entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation. It spans two continents, three languages, the public and private sectors, and numerous cultural spheres. Our stories and heritage - both of the US team and our Ecuadorian partners - are an incredibly important part of what we expect to be the public appeal of Runa and its products, and sharing lessons and stories is one of the most powerful things to contribute, both through Runa and as an SII Senior Fellow.