We are proud to be living in such a friendly community where ourselves, our guests and volunteers are fully accepted and welcomed. Our neighbours greatly value the interaction and cultural exchange through meeting people from other countries, and are very willing to share their extensive knowledge and traditions. With both sides investing time, commitment and energy, a harmonious experience is achieved all round.

Las Palmas community meetings are regularly held at the hostal, and recent discussions include finding viable alternatives to cattle farming in the area. Having cows to sell milk to Nestle has been a profitable activity until now, but is unsustainable, and locals are dependent on one (not particulary ethical) company for their whole income. There is recent talk of livelihoods being affected in the near future due to the increase in importation of powdered milk, as it is cheaper from Peru and Colombia. Agriculture is likely to suffer due to the Free Trade Agreement being introduced in 2007.

We as a whole community are now thinking of ways to attract more eco-tourists and visitors to the Quijos region, as it is of direct consequence that the area will become more protected, respected and visited if this happens, which will positively impact on the local people in return.

One idea for a secondary income for the locals has been to set up a 'home stay programme' with neighbouring families. This will give travellers an opportunity to live and experience daily family life in the countryside, be part of a well established and caring community, join in with traditional farming, artesania, gardening and agricultural practices, cook Ecuadorian cuisine and practice their Spanish amongst other things. Please see the Volunteer page for more information for the home stay programme.