TO DATE, THE BAHIA ECO-CLUB HAS HAD
15,000 engaged students.
70,000 trees planted.
100 beach cleanups.*
* Numbers are calculated estimates based on collected data from local + exchange programs.
OUR PROJECTS
Bahia de Caraquez is a coastal city born of three unique ecosystems - marine, river, and tropical dry forest. The region has suffered greatly from many natural disasters, among them destructive earthquakes and landslides which were worsened by lack of environmental management. A history of natural resource exploitation, deforestation and un-sustainable agriculture in this region increases the importance for motivated and informed environmental leaders.
OUR MISSION
To develop environmentally conscious community leaders through action-oriented environmental education and sustainable community-based projects that result in tangible changes in the lifestyle of their communities.
OUR TEAM
Marcelo grew up in a community with many challenges and began working hard since he was very young thus he knows first-hand the power of meaningful work in the development of young adults. He was born in Bahia and coming back to make the place better gives him great satisfaction. He graduated from Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí with a degree in Tourism, choosing the subject because it was the meeting point of some of his passions; a love for the natural landscapes and an interest in the different cultures. He was an intern for GSE during his studies and this experience increased his knowledge of environmentalism and added an interest in education. He thinks local youth working together in their communities will change the lives of the students and improve the places where they work.
He served as Intern, Program Assistant, and Local Program Manager during his time with GSE. Marcelo brings to our team his valued knowledge of bamboo construction, his out-of-the-box creativity when designing new projects, and his ability to make just about anyone laugh. Marcelo is a key player in the success of our program.
MARCELO VALENCIA CEDEÑO
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Maya was born and raised in the San Geronimo Valley of Northern California, where she first became involved with GSE through a 2010 high school trip to Bahia de Caraquez. Upon her return, she worked with GSE to create Drake High School’s first school garden, which marked the beginning of her GSE love affair. Since then, Maya has participated in four GSE exchange trips, worked as a Student Rep at Seattle University and U.C. Santa Barbara, completed her first season in Bahia as an Exchange Coordinator, and is delighted to return to Bahia as Exchange Program Manager. With a B.A. in Environmental Studies from U.C.S.B., Maya is excited to use her environmental expertise, love for adventure and enthusiasm for education to empower young environmental leaders in their local communities, and abroad.
She served as Campus Rep, Exchange Coordinator, and Exchange Program Manager during her time with GSE. Maya brings to our team her background in environmental education, her cross cultural perspective, and her passion to teach while learning alongside the ecoclub students.
MAYA NORMANDI
MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS,
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
LEADERSHIP CREW
ALFONSO SEBASTIAN MIRANDA IBARRA
My name is Alfonso Sebastián Miranda Ibarra, I am 19 years old, I am from Ecuador, I live in the city of Bahía de Caráquez, I study in the Universidad Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria of Manabí where I study Environmental Engineering. I am a lover of nature - I like to find new places surrounded by flora and fauna, go camping and take part in environmental activities such as beach and mangrove cleanups, reforestation and more.
The ecoclub is an important part of my life because apart from allowing me to meet new people who have the same tastes for nature as me, it guided me to my university studies. The ecoclub has helped us to be better people, to further our English and whatsmore, it has helped my city heal from the problems associated with deforestation.
YAMILÉ LÓPEZ MOREIRA
My name is Yamilè Lopez Moreira, I'm from Bahia de Caraquez, I'm 19 years old, and I study at the Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabì. I like meeting new people, caring for nature, and teaching others to care as well. I do so by participating in beach cleanups, reforestation, and sharing knowledge and culture with students from the exchange program.
The ecoclub has been an important part of my life for a few years - besides helping me to care for the environment, it has also given me the opportunity to make friendships that are still present despite the distance, and memories of landscapes and places that I will always remember. The club gave me the opportunity to learn another language and to carry out many activities I wouldn’t have otherwise done.
RANDY EDER MENDOZA GARCIA
I'm Randy Mendoza from Bahía de Caráquez, an irreplaceable city with land full of life. I am 16 and I study at Fanny de Baird High School. I enjoy learning about the environment, making friendships across the world, and working to change society’s ways of thinking in order to help our earth.
It brings me joy to know that people worldwide care for our planet, participating in community service, beach cleanups and even reforestation. With the ecoclub, we have changed our city by learning how our daily actions can damage the planet, cause an imbalanced world. Because of this, we work to bring awareness and for a healthier planet. Working together makes us stronger, and if we are always united we will achieve great things. Please help us change the world and share knowledge.
CECILIO MOISES MOGRO ZAMBRANO
My name is Cecilio - habitant and Bahialover, music lover and nature lover, and a student at Eloy Alfaro University studying tourism. My dream is to fully master the English and learn more languages. The ecoclub has taught me that with my way of being I can change the world and inspire others.
The ecoclub has shown me that with our different talents, we can come together as a single being to change the world. The ecoclub has inspired me to want to be a Trip Leader when I finish University and to continue helping the unique and irreplaceable city of Bahia de Caraquez where I was born, and where I will die.
GEMA
LÓPEZ MOREIRA
My name is Gema, I am 18 years old, and I live in Bahía. Through the ecoclub, we can educate the children about environmental issues so they can learn to help our community, through actions such as reforestation.
Since 2016 I have been so involved that I spent all my time in the nursery. The ecoclub redefined my friendships - we are all connected for the same purpose, to help the environment. In each beach cleanup, we learn something new. In each reforestation project, we see the green trees transform the view. In each camping trip, we laugh over our memories. I don't want to let go of these beautiful learning moments.
ANDRÉS GREGORIO CARPIO MIRANDA
My name is Andrés Gregorio Carpio Miranda, I am 20 years old, I am from Ecuador and I live in the city of Bahia de Caraquez. I am a student at the Uef Pcei de Bahía de Caraquez. I enjoy being in nature and learning from nature, which has helped me to become more aware of how to care much more about our planet.
The eco club is very important for me because it has made me change as a person. The ecoclub has taught me a lot about nature, it has allowed me to meet many people and make lasting friendships from across the world with those who have the same interest in taking care of nature and teaching others.
