Yawanawa Relief Fund

Here is the message they have asked me to share:

Hello Friends and Family in the US & abroad.
 
We want to share a plan of work with you and count on your support in this new endeavor. 

This moment of change, in the whole world, has also been affecting our life here in the forest, in all aspects, mainly financially; the live and collective work have all been canceled. 

We are in absolute isolation, which also makes it very hard for us to send handicrafts and what we produce in the forest as a means of support for the survival of our indigenous people. 

As you know, we are a small community, but our family has grown in the number of people and this has increased our needs and expenses.

We are concerned about our food security and for our quality of life.

And we want to make an invitation to everyone who wants to come and experience our forest when this Pandemic passes.

We need to guarantee good nutrition and improve our structure to continue the activities, as Mawa Yuxyn [Waxy's village] is still in a process of construction.

This plan of work, in addition to supplying the emergency and basic needs of our families, aims at sustainability, food autonomy, and preservation of our Amazonian forest.


GOALS: 

1) Our initial goal is to gather R$ 30,000 ($6,000 USD) to improve the quality of food.

To purchase basic food, essential medicines, build a pond to raise fish, and begin construction on spaces to start raising small animals like chickens, ducks, and pigs.

2) Planting of foods for agricultural production - R$ 30,000 ($6,000 USD)

At the Mawa Yuxyn Center, families will plow fields, areas to plant bananas, cassava, papaya, watermelons and beans.

Reforestation: The areas that have already been used are reused with fruit plantations.

Setting up vegetable gardens. 

Traditional Medicine: we will separate virgin areas to plant sacred medicines, strengthing our spiritual studies of the sacred and ancestral knowledge. 

3)  Improve water supply in basic sanitation R$ 10,000 ($2,000 USD)

This is a fundamental need for quality of life because natural waters such as rivers and streams become dirty during the rainy season from floods and cause diseases.

4) Improve boat transportation as it is the only means of  transit to and from our indigenous land R$ 45,000 ($9,000 USD)

The number of boats and engines are not sufficient for the activities of all families, as they are used to take us to the city, in case of any emergency, and to fish and hunt in the river. 

5) Improve the infrastructure R$ 35,000 ($7,000 USD)

Construction of houses, purchasing engines, generators, and solar panels to shelter the residents of Mawa Yuxyn.

As we said above, our most important goal now is the construction of the pond for fish farming, as it can only be done in this period, which is the summer here in the forest from May to August. When the rain returns in September, we will no longer be able to work on this until May 2021.

We already have a small natural igapó (a small arm of the river), and we want to build on it and transform it into a beautiful pond. With that, we want to leave the hunting and fishing areas for breeding. Allowing animals that are at risk of extinction to grow.

We want to preserve our forest and explore nature in a sustainable way because it's inherent to our survival and our spirit is linked to it. 

We wish to use modern technology to our advantage. Thus, we will be able to bring all these improvements and work during this Pandemic, improving the Mawa Yuxyn Center to receive each one of you who feels the call to come and visit our house in the Forest.

Immense gratitude for the collaboration of each and everyone!!! 

Wishing health to those who vibrate through the forest and its inhabitants!!! 

Long live the Yawanawá people!!!


ABOUT: 

Hello everyone, I want to thank you for taking the time to read about this fundraiser.

This village and Waxy (Wa-she) have made a profound impact on my life. 

I was able to visit their center last year and participated my first diet in the Yawanawa tradition.

Like many other indigenous communities, these unprecedented times have greatly affected Waxy's center, Mawa Yuxyn (Ma-wa Yu-sheen). Her village faces risk of infection and has been impacted by closure of international borders to receive visitors, which has been their primary means of revenue.



Mawa Yuxyn is important because it is one of the only villages in this territory founded and run by a female leader.

Waxy is one of the first women to undertake the spiritual initiation to become a Pajé (shaman) in the Yawanawa culture.

Her story and work is revolutionary for the Yawanawa people and women's rights worldwide.

She has made a huge impact on my life so I was eager to create this campaign after she asked for help.

Thank you for your time, love, and support.

Sincerely,

Brandon