Mexico

The Travel Foundation is working with Mayan villagers in the Mexican jungle to help turn their jam making skills into a sustainable source of revenue.

Using tropical fruits which are traditionally cultivated by these communities, such as papaya, and the more unusual "pittaya" (cactus fruit), the project provides an economic incentive to protect the jungle as well as a means for the villages to earn a good income.

The jams will be supplied to local tourist hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, helping to give tourists an authentic taste of Mexico, and will also be available in gift shops and other tourist outlets. 

Setting up a jam-making kitchen in the middle of the jungle has not been an easy task and "Reduce My Footprint" funds will help support this venture by investing in alternative energy sources for the community business.