Researching the immigration conflict in The Valley of Longevity.

Our program focuses in an around the town of Vilcabamba, in the southern region of Loja in Ecuador. Known as the valley of longevity, Vilcabamba natives are known to live over the age of 100. This once quiet town became overflown with tourists and foreign settlers after receiving international attention in the 90s. Locals have been struggling to cope with these drastic changes. POF works together with local communities to research the impact of ongoing changes and find ways to systematically build a path towards sustainable development. We hope to contribute to fostering the local communities’ unique culture of living, characterized by a high respect for natural rhythms and provisions.