Palakurthi, PuneethaMcMahan, Robin D.2011-01-112011-01-112010https://hdl.handle.net/10474/1643Poverty among indigenous people in rural Ecuador, such as in San Luís de Pigulca, a small village outside the city of Otavalo, in the Imbabura Province is pronounced. A primary problem was the tendency of community members to depend on a single champion to achieve development initiatives. The program manager embraced participatory methodology blending it with the cultural value of "minga," to help community members lead and own the process of bringing about positive change. In this project, members of the community have carried out community gardening using local resources and skills. Initial monitoring results pointed to the project being on the right track but more than two years are necessary to critically evaluate and assess the value of participation in self-driven development. (Author abstract)1765376 bytesen-USAuthor retains all ownership rights. Further reproduction in violation of copyright is prohibitedSouthern New Hampshire University -- Theses (Community Economic Development)community gardensnutritionrural developmentEcuadorThesisapplication/pdf