Hi, we are fund-raising on behalf of indigenous peoples living in Madre de Dios, in the Peruvian Amazon - the most biodiverse and culturally diverse region of Amazonia, in south-east Peru.

Coharyima (an organisation representing indigenous communities in the Alto Madre de Dios) have again approached us to support their biannual congress - their fifteenth - to be held in early February, in the Harakbut community of Barranco Chico.

The Congress brings together three representatives from each of the seventeen indigenous communities in the Alto Madre de Dios to discuss the issues impacting their communities and their programme, plans, etc for the next two years, further to the main FENAMAD Conference held a few days earlier.

They are hopefully that we will match our funding in many previous years - $1,500 (£1150) (TReeS can cover half of this from central funds).

Coharyima represents Harakbut, Yine and Matsigenka communities, including four communities inside Manu National Park: Tayakome, Yomibato, Maizal and Palatoa as well as many around the periphery and several communities whose traditional lands lie within the Amarakaeri Comunal Reserve. David Attenborough has recognised this area as one of the most important regions on the planet for biodiversity. Furthermore, several of these communities adjoin territories visited by the Mashco-Piro: a group that chooses to live in voluntary isolation from the western world - the ‘uncontacted’.

Coharyima have to deal with many issues ranging from those attempting to contact the ‘uncontacted’ (including now social influencers!), illegal loggers and gold miners, increasing tourism and cocaine production related activities.

Indigenous communities traditionally discuss matters and resolve issues by meeting in person and it is for this reason that their biannual meeting is so essential to their well-being and we request your support.