Ozogoche

Overview

Cuviví, the indigenous Ecuadorean term for the upland sandpiper, holds deep meaning for the communities surrounding the Ozogoche lakes in the Andes. Each year, these birds journey south from North America, and by September, they arrive at the Ozogoche lakes, where many tragically dive into the frigid waters. A girl living nearby has an uncle in the United States, and she considers a trip there herself. Meanwhile, she eagerly anticipates the return of the cuvivís, though their numbers have dwindled in recent years as the lakes continue to dry up.