Provide Quality Education to 15000 Amazon Children

It is rare to have the opportunity to observe the dimension of the strength of projects, individual actions, and socio-environmental programs spread worldwide. Each in its own way, these initiatives are responsible for enabling a series of necessary transformations toward a more sustainable, and egalitarian world capable to provide and guarantee its fundamental rights.

That was Vaga Lume's opportunity: as a result of our recognition by the European Union Human Rights Award that we received at the end of the last year, we had the pleasure to be part of the European Development Days 2019, held from June 18th to 19th by the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.

The conference was guided by the theme “Addressing inequalities: building a world that leaves no one behind”, and brought together many organizations, government representatives, leaders and important names from all over the world in a joint effort to come up with solutions guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals to global issues. There were more than 60 thousand people from 154 countries who had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics, including the difficulties posed by inequalities in the construction of a sustainable world as well as the knowledge generated by the achievements and discoveries that have been made on this ambitious journey.

The importance of the youth's role in this process was quite evident throughout all the debates held in the forum. The growing role of this group is getting more and more evident in proposing changes and participating actively for the promotion of sustainable development. In our libraries this is also a reality: nearly 40% of all our volunteers are aged between 11 and 30 who play an important role in the community management. Gradually, these youngsters become leaders and inspiration for more adolescents and for the rest of the local dwellers by the better understanding of the world they live in and the importance of valuing culture and knowledge.

The knowledge exchange was immeasurable. Altogether by coming across a lot of opportunities to act for a fairer world capable of offering equal opportunities to all citizens also comes the conviction of the importance and magnitude of our impact on the communities we act. Furthermore, we have got convinced that we are in a world where initiatives towards its improvements are getting more and more active every day in every way.

Over the last two months, educators from schools and organizations in the southeast of Brazil who participated in the Vaga Lume's project of Cultural Exchange went to the Amazon to visit some communities with whom they were exchanging experiences. In their baggage, they carried their works, curiosity, and desire for the unknown. It was a great responsibility to present these works and show to the community the reality of young people in the southeast, and also absorb all the diversity and knowledge from the people in the forest.

In Santa Rosa, in the state of Roraima, the educators were introduced to the indigenous community where they learned a traditional dance named Parixará. In Assentamento João Batista, in the state of Pará, youngsters went swimming in the Igarapé. Besides that, an educator had to travel more than 30 hours by boat to get to São Sebastião, in the state of Pará. In Manoelzinho, in the state of Maranhão, they found chibé, a drink made of cassava flour, water, and spices. In Sobradinho, in the state of Maranhão, people were celebrating Festa Junina, a traditional party. They also had the opportunity to have a canoe tour through Solimões river where they were able to observe the life on the riverside of Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo, in the state of Amazonas.

The visits were full hospitality, inspiring stories from the community elders and sharing of ancient knowledge. These valuable experiences will enrich even more the cultural exchange between the young participants.

"Having the experience to stay a few days immersed in a different culture is transformative. By looking and listening carefully, I was constantly thinking about how I would share each moment I lived there... Jerked meat paçoca, buriti, stories told in malocão, children curious eyes, life in the community, the handmade book answering questions sent by the Santi School... This will always mark not only my life but also all young lives involved in the program!" Vanessa, educator in Santi School. 

Tradução: Luana Santos

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