In the lush vegetation of the Amazon jungle, in the community of Arara, “Aula Viva” was carried out for 3 days, an educational work promoted by the Foundation for the Conservation of the Amazon (FUCAI).
This project creates integration and learning spaces for students from the communities near the largest river in the world so that these native peoples can conserve, in the best way, the environment and their cultural traditions.
In conversation with Click Verde, Ruth Consuelo Chaparro, director of FUCAI, pointed out the transformative impact that this organization has had, which has worked for more than 33 years in cultural, environmental preservation and community development.
“Fucai accompanies community processes of self-development that reaffirm identity, preserve the environment and work for the good life of the people”
Furthermore, the expert emphasized the importance of these community development processes, to strengthen identity and preserve the environment, especially in the peripheral regions of Colombia, which she notes currently face serious challenges.
“Climate change is a reality. The climate has been altered, the winters are stronger, the summers are also stronger and the people have to pay a very high price, there is deforestation in several regions of the Amazon, there are mining and hydrocarbon processes, there is still predation. of the environment and the challenge of these peoples is to defend the territories, that is why the indigenous guards are there, to defend the environment and defend the people who have multiple threats”
The first day carried out in this activity included rituals for blessing seeds for reforestation, as well as different activities for reflection on scarcity and abundance.
On the second day, the communities worked on reforesting the farms, where indigenous children grew their own food, promoting sustainable development; They ended this day by playing traditional games to preserve their culture in a fun way.
The final day of this edition of “Aula Viva” in Arara ended with ancestral dances, preparation, tasting of local dishes and culminated with the graduation of the diploma in Amazonia, Indigenous Peoples and Native Ritual Cuisine, endorsed by the Javeriana University of Cali.
“Aula Viva” stands out as a great orderly and significant initiative to preserve the traditions of these indigenous communities and promote the protection of the Amazon and the environment. This experience exemplifies how these communities contribute to a healthier planet.
