At Awasi, we believe strongly in promoting and practising equality, diversity and inclusion.
What does inclusion mean to you? from Awasi – Relais & Chateaux on Vimeo.
When the United Nations published their Sustainability Development Goals, we used these guidelines as a blueprint for our operations.
One of our latest initiatives is an integration project with the Instituto Esperanza, an educational centre for children and teenagers with disabilities in Puerto Iguazú (10 minutes from Awasi Iguazu).
Lunchtime service at our Relais & Chateaux restaurant at Awasi Iguazu, Argentina
With the help and follow-up of the institution’s director and psychologist, we looked into which areas where could get involved and help out, and decided to offer an internship at Awasi Iguazú, our Relais & Chateaux hotel in Northern Argentina.
Introducing Alan
Our first intern was Alan, an 18 year old with literacy challenges.
During his internship he worked in the excursions pantry, purchasing pantry and finally moved to the Awasi Iguazu restaurant from August to October, 2022.
His performance was really good so when his internship ended, we hired him for 6 months to continue his support in the Excursion warehouse during the high season.
His main tasks were helping the Excursion staff in the warehouse, and preparing the coolers that we use to take on excursions with guests.
Alan is very organised and methodical, so he’s been of incredible help for the rest of the team.
Behind the bar at Awasi Iguazu, Argentina
Welcoming Hernán
After Alan, Hernán began.
Hernán is 33 years old and his challenges include developmental delays, which affect his reading and writing.
Hernán followed in Alan’s footsteps working in the excursion warehouse, shopping warehouse, maintenance and finally he did training in the restaurant.
His performance of both was impeccable, he was compliant and responsible.
The rest of the Awasi team very much appreciated this collaboration and enjoyed teaching them their trade.
The restaurant team at Awasi Iguazu, Relais & Chateaux
Positive Impact
Instituto Esperanza proudly mentions the work achieved with the collaboration with Awasi (it was also published in the local press), and thanks to this initiative, a supermarket in Iguazú hired another boy from the school to be part of its staff.
Our plan at Awasi is to continue with internships with other young people from the Instituto Esperanza and to continue promoting this type of project in the area.
Students and team members from Instituto Esperanza visiting Awasi Iguazu
Opportunity for all
At Awasi we don’t have a policy but values are core to our operations.
We believe in giving opportunities to all individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or ideology.
Being inclusive is part of our identity, and here are some of our current projects, practising what we preach:
Preparing plates for guests in the Relais & Chateaux kitchen at Awasi Iguazu
Awasi Atacama
● We work together with the local community offering internships for students. The aim is to offer young people their first work experience. Students carry out internships at Awasi Atacama for one or two months training in several different areas of the hotel. This also helps us hire more local staff as we offer jobs to those who fit the role once they finish their studies.
● We make donations (monetary, food and work equipment) to the local school through raffles or participation at events.
Awasi Patagonia
● As we are located in an isolated area, our Excursions Team conducts workshops with low-income rural schools from the surrounding community, providing kids and teenagers with tools to enter tourism-oriented industries. The workshops are focused on nature preservation, camping, wilderness observation, survival skills and more.
Awasi Iguazu
● At Escuela Esperanza we offer internships for students with disabilities, as outlined above.
● We work together with the local Guarani community through several actions. We offer artistic workshops in their local school and collaborate with the direct sale of their handicrafts. Members of the community also give educational talks or workshops at Awasi Iguazu, something that is greatly enjoyed by our guests and staff.
Through these projects we seek to provide opportunities for sustainable development whilst respecting different cultures and generating a valuable exchange between local communities, our staff and our guests.