WHAT WE DO
Every intergenerational promise begins with courageous action.
Giving Back began with a simple but powerful idea: that every generation has something vital to offer the next. Founded by Karen Peterson in Hawaii, the organization started as a bridge between elders and youth — a space where wisdom, compassion, and curiosity could meet to create a better world.
Today, that same spirit of intergenerational promise guides everything we do. We believe that to truly give back, we must protect the foundations of life itself — the forests, waters, and soils that sustain future generations.
Through our partnership with Shuar de la Selva in Ecuador, we continue this legacy on a global scale, supporting the guardians of the Amazon in their work to protect their ancestral lands and preserve the living balance of the Earth. Together, across cultures and generations, we give back to Earth.
WHO WE ARE
From living forests to thriving communities — we give back to Earth
Giving Back connects hearts, hands, and habitats. We work alongside the Shuar communities of Ecuador to protect the Amazon rainforest by supporting projects that restore clean water, healthy soil, and sustainable livelihoods. Our work is built on trust, respect, and shared purpose — honoring the Shuar’s deep connection to their ancestral lands while creating practical solutions for a thriving future.
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Our initiatives focus on regeneration — helping local families develop eco-friendly income sources such as forest-based agriculture, natural product development, and community-led conservation. By blending ancestral knowledge with modern tools, we create pathways that sustain both people and planet.
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From clean water systems and reforestation to environmental education and women’s leadership, each project strengthens the living web of life that connects us all.
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Every act of giving becomes a seed for the future — nurturing balance, dignity, and life for generations to come.
Leadership
Our leadership team works in close partnership with Shuar communities in the Taisha region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The project is guided by people who combine long-term commitment, local trust, and on-the-ground experience to ensure that each water well is planned, built, and maintained in a way that truly serves the community.
Decisions are made collaboratively, with respect for Indigenous governance, local knowledge, and cultural context. Leadership focuses on coordination, accountability, and relationship-building—ensuring that clean water solutions are reliable, sustainable, and community-owned over the long term. The wider team shown below plays an essential role in supporting this work in the field.
