Many years ago founders of our commune discovered a tree on a river island. The leaves of this tree when crushed and boiled produced a burgandy liquid that could be used to dye string bags and clothes. The tree is called Sani (purple in Kichwa) and the founders took this name for the commune, Sani Isla Comuna (Purple tree Island Community). So later the lodge became Sani Lodge and our logo is the Sani Garza or Roseatte Spoonbill. Actually one of the best places to see the Roseatte Spoonbill is in the entrance to Sani Lodge.

Kichwa is the language spoken by the local members of the Sani Isla Commune, as well as Spanish. Kichwa has also become known as an indigenous ethnic group, and is a composite of various other indigenous groups.

There are over 400 members of the communa who make their living by subsistence agriculture and hunting. As well as working for Sani Lodge, other lodges in the area, and oil companies.

We focus on the wildlife and natural beauty of the Rainforest at Sani Lodge. The commune lives mostly on the side of the Rio Napo and Sani Lodge is located inside the forest on the lake Challuacocha.

All men and women make up the commune in Sani Isla and have a right to voice their opinion and vote in the 5-7 hour meetings that take place on the 1st Sunday of every month. Decisions are generally made by consensus, and the commune acts as judge, arbitrator, administrator of loans, and much more.

Education – is viewed as the future of the community and Sani Lodge is already helping to sponsor English teachers in the school, fund education, and facilitate scholarships for its members to study in Quito or abroad.

All profits generated from Sani Lodge are either reinvested in the lodge or into the Sani Commune. Here are some examples of investments in the communa…

• Communal store - Since there are no roads to the Sani Isla Commune, all supplies are brought in by river transport and products are sent out by the same means. The need for a store is vital, where goods can be bought, sold or traded. This is especially important since the commune is trying to reduce hunting in all areas of their property.
• Transport – Sani Lodge pays to transport, for members of the commune, agricultural products to the market and return with goods from Pompeya and Coca.
• Agriculture – All fruits, vegetables, and free-range chickens that are produced in the commune are given priority to be sold to Sani Lodge at outside market prices.
• Handicrafts – Any handicrafts produced by the commune are sold directly to Sani Lodge guests.
• Administration, Financial Support – Sani Lodge pays a monthly fee to the Sani Isla Commune to be used in anyway they see fit.
• Administration bonuses – Sani Isla’s President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer all receive a small monthly salary from the lodge.
• Medical Emergency – Sani Lodge pays for any and all medical emergency services needed by members of the commune.
• Latrines - Improving health conditions starts by building latrines for every family at Sani.