PAMELA BUCUR DE AREVALO, from the United States, has been living and working in Iquitos for over 23 years. Previously having been a science teacher in the States, she brought organizational and teaching skills with her. It was her vision that brought the Adopt-A-School program to fruition. As a principal with Explorama and founding member of CONAPAC, she has been steering CONAPAC every step of the way as it has grown and evolved over the years to meet each new challenge.

JAIME ACEVEDO CACERES, a native of Lima, Peru, has worked for Explorama for over 20 years. His background includes extensive experience in tourism, food service, construction, agriculture, and business marketing. His part-time CONAPAC duties include the oversight of our many productive projects, as well as, other areas in which CONAPAC can use his expertise and creative ideas.

 

 

AMNER ISMODES SOPLIN, who has been with CONAPAC since its beginning, has been our greatest promoter of the importance of improving rural education and environmental consciousness in the villages. Born in the community of Tamanco on the Napo River, Amner knows more about the river communities than anyone else at CONAPAC. His insight into river life and the relationships he has maintained have been invaluable resources for the Adopt-A-School program.

 

MARCOS OVERLUJIS VASQUEZ is a native of Peru and a biologist graduated from the University in Iquitos. Marcos organizes our service projects with student groups, runs workshops for farmers and community leaders, facilitates all of our sustainable projects, such as mini-water treatment plants and fish farms, and maintains communication with communities we serve by inquiring after their needs and requests.

 

ALBERTO VELA MUÑOZ, a native of Peru, is our education specialist. To say he is qualified is definitely an understatement. Alberto has worked as a teacher in rural schools, as a teacher educator, as a member of the Board of Education in Iquitos, and as administrator of the Ministry of Education’s Office for Rural Education in Iquitos. As our educational program coordinator, Alberto is responsible for CONAPAC’s teacher and community leader workshops, water workshops, and all community evaluations.

 

SINTIA SMITH SNYDER is from the United States, currently living in Iquitos and working full time for CONAPAC. A previous AAS volunteer, she now handles the majority of the responsibilities for Adopt-A-School, as well as coordination of CONAPAC special projects and communication with our world-wide donor base.

 

 

 

JAMES PASMINO ESCOBEDO is our newest staff member, an accredited school teacher who has had extensive experience working in the rainforest. He will be working in the jungle five days a week, using Marcos’s old boat to visit villages on a regular basis. We expect James to be able to answer questions, find solutions and encourage cooperation among community authorities, residents, teachers, parents and students. Improving our project oversight, supporting and retaining teachers, plus assisting with service projects are just a few of the things we hope to achieve with James on board.