SOCIO ECONOMICAL

Local from the neighboring communities working in the drying process of the cacao seeds

It seems like yesterday when we just started with this dream, back in the 80’s. At that time, extensive cattle ranching used barely 10% of what today the same amout of territory is capable of using.

The existence of Santuario Macao was not possible without the enormous labor and cognitive contribution of our staff, all coming from the surrounding local communities. Since its inception, the reserve has grown year by year in the number of its members. Today more than twenty people make up 80% of the sanctuary’s total workforce.

As the use of the territory and land evolved, it was necessary to hire and train more people to occupy various functions. Several young people, adults, women and men from the communities currently occupy specialized and managerial positions, contributing both to the progress of the sanctuary and to the integral development of their communities.

It seems like yesterday when we just started with this dream, back in the 80’s. At that time, extensive cattle ranching used barely 10% of what today the same amout of territory is capable of using. The various productive ventures of the Macao Sanctuary have exponentially increased employment, thus contributing to the reduction of migration of young people to the cities.

It is a pride for all of us that people from communities with the lowest development rates in the country have grown together with the sanctuary. It is an honor to see them lead this process of regeneration and transformation of their own territory.