So, where in the world IS Leslie Arney?

We knew she was elusive, we knew she could go incognito and not be heard from for weeks... but this is getting rediculous.

Truth be told, our loving and beloved little Leslie has embarked on a purpose-finding, community-serving, world-changing adventure.

The purpose of this site is to give you all (you could be a complete stranger for all I know) a glimpse into her adventure, and a chance to help her cause. We hope to inspire and give you those warm fuzzies your grandma warns you about.

Aaron and I had the pleasure of visiting Leslie in Estero de Platano (Esmeraldas, Ecuador), the small village where she has been volunteering since September. She works with an organization called Yanapuma(http://www.yanapuma.org/en/index.phpp), which is a sustainable development non-profit based in Ecuador.

The amazing and encouraging thing about Yanapuma and Leslie's task, is that they take a totally different approach than most development organizations. How many times have we all heard of first world do-gooders, with all good intentions, implement development projects in the developing world, only to have them fail and leave the people and environment of those communities no better and sometimes worse off. Not to mention blow money that could have been used much more efficiently and effectively elsewhere.

BUT! Yanapuma has employed Leslie to become a part of Estero de Platano, to understand the dynamics, desires, and needs of this community, so that they can implement real change that comes from the people. Her mission, which she chose to accept, is (as you may have heard her say) to "hang out." She teaches school, holds the occasional meeting with leadership groups in the village, and most importantly, gets to know the people. This ensures that preconcieved ideas of what we think Estero needs is erased, and then real help can happen.

For all of us that know Leslie, we can expect that everyone in Estero de Platano adores her, and it is quickly becoming her home. While she intended to return to the states in January 2009, she's realized that staying a little bit longer makes Yanapuma's chances of starting long-term grassroots sustainable development in Estero so much better.

As much as Leslie wants that to happen, Aaron and I want to happen even more. There is no better person in the world than Leslie to open her heart and mind to understand the needs of Estero, to gain the trust and love of the people there to motivate them, and then work her ass off to accomplish whatever projects the community decides to move forward with.

Yanapuma is in the process of prioritizing possible projects for Estero, based on Leslie's experiences there. Soon, things are going to be kicking off.

BUT THERES A PROBLEM - Leslie either has to return to the US when her visa runs (April) out or when her money runs out (definitely sooner than April). At a pivotal point in Yanapuma's efforts in Estero, Leslie leaving before a project really gets going would be crippling to the process.

SO - let's do what we can to make sure that Estero has a fighting chance. KEEP LESLIE IN ECUADOR. $8 buys her another day there, and enough days buys one giant step for sustainable development. Click the link to the right and spare some change, sir. It's going to mean a lot to her and to a lot of other people.

Oh, and before you do - browse these pictures.