Empowering Indigenous Girls in the Peruvian Amazon

As the year comes to a close, we want to share a story that reflects the power of education when it is rooted in identity, leadership, and hope.

Liz is a Wampis student living and studying in a school residence in the Peruvian Amazon. From an early age, she learned that school is not only a place to gain knowledge, but also a space to raise one’s voice, protect cultural identity, and create change.

In early December, Liz traveled to Lima (the capital of Peru) to take part in a student exchange alongside young people from Awajún communities. This experience gave her the opportunity to bring the voices, concerns, and dreams of many girls from her territory to spaces where they are rarely heard.

During the exchange, Liz shared the project “Tamboras Amazonas Sororas,” an initiative that uses collective drumming as a tool for expression, leadership, and empowerment. Inspired by ancestral traditions of rhythm and song, the project strengthens identity, confidence, and solidarity among Awajún and Wampis girls.

One of the most meaningful moments of her journey was speaking at a space hosted by the Ministry of Culture, where she explained how art and education can help girls make informed decisions and defend their rights. There, Liz shared a powerful message:
“Girls should be studying, not worrying about defending their rights.”

Throughout the experience, Liz also connected with other students, cultural spaces, and intercultural dialogues that deepened her sense of identity and reinforced her role as a student leader.

Liz’s story reminds us that when girls are given safe spaces to learn, express themselves, and be heard, they become powerful agents of change in their communities.

Thanks to your continued support, more students like Liz can raise their voices, strengthen their leadership, and build futures filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope. Your donations make stories like this possible.