Alexandra Goldstein

Alexandra Goldstein expressed this view in an interview with Periódico INTAG. The U.S. student, who attends Bates College in Maine, where she edits The Bates Student, spent a month working as a volunteer with the newspaper.

Alexandra decided to work with Periódico INTAG to learn firsthand about community journalism. It also fit in with her career goal: she hopes to work as a newspaper or book editor one day. Among her more immediate goals is a return to Intag to learn more from its residents. In fact, she loved the region so much that she invited family and college friends to visit this beautiful place.

What impressed Alexandra most about Intag's people was the way they defended their land against the mining threat. "It surprised me that they were even willing to put their lives in danger," she added. Alexandra participated with residents in a march in support of the Mining Mandate in Quito on April 18. The Mandate led to the cancellation of 4,274 mining concessions whose owners had not complied with the law. Alexandra also visited Junín, one of Intag's communities whose residents have experienced first-hand the presence of a Canadian mining company, where she "learned a lot from the people." Alexandra is convinced that mining the copper under Junín's forests and farms would be a mistake, "because nature is more valuable than minerals." She believes that large countries, like the U.S. and Canada, use smaller countries like Ecuador for their own profit rather than for the benefit of the smaller countries where mineral deposits are located.

In the festivities in honor of the "Señor de Intag," the crucified Christ, Alexandra enjoyed the parade, with its floats and groups of dancers from local communities." She believes that people in Intag should hold on to their traditions and customs because, in addition to having cultural value, they attract tourists to the region.

On the subject of Periódico INTAG, she said the newspaper is an important medium because it allows people to exchange ideas. Also, there is no other medium that both keeps residents informed about local, national and international events, and encourages people to read and improve their reading skills. She enjoyed working with the newspaper team, and writing the stories she was assigned to cover helped improve her Spanish. Alexandra also offered a recommendation: a larger staff would lead to more ideas and points of view.

During her four-week stay in Intag, Alexandra lived with the Rivera-Vetancourt family. She assures us that Silvia, the lady of the house, is a first-rate cook.

Alexandra Goldstein expressed this view in an interview with Periódico INTAG. The U.S. student, who attends Bates College in Maine, where she edits The Bates Student, spent a month working as a volunteer with the newspaper.

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