Koraa

What happens where the salt water from the ocean and the sweet water from the river meet? Chocolatillo straw

Women living in the border between Ecuador and Colombia, carefully work the chocolatillo straw.

The Epera Siapadee community emigrated from their natal Colombia in the late 1960’s and were sadly displaced from their land due to violence and forced recruitment by irregular armed groups.

Now they have settled in Ecuadorian territory, 30 minutes by boat along the Cayapas river. The Epera keeps a community based economy and production. Their main sources of income are hegemonically agriculture and fishing.

Although their income has decreased considerably, they have seen a slight growth through their handcrafts, but still they continue to live under the poverty line.