By Matthew Watherston | Founder, Temple of the Way of Light
Dear friends,
Wow! Thanks to your donations, we've now surpassed our initial goal of $80,000!
Amidst the heightened energies and hardships being experienced by many people and communities in the past few months as a result of COVID-19, and now with a spotlight on the pervasive pandemic of systemic racism, you have helped create a spark of hope with your contribution to the healers and workers who serve the healing of our global family when it is so urgently needed. We are humbled by how the community has responded to support this initiative with such generosity and compassion, and extend our deepest gratitude to you on behalf of all of the recipients.
As a small token of our appreciation, we are excited to share with you an ikaro sung by Maestra Ynes Sanchez to heal and cleanse our planet and its people in response to what is happening in the world right now. In addition to her work at the Temple, Maestra Ynes is the matriarch of her family center Niwe Rao Xobo, and the mother of Maestro Jose Lopez Sanchez of the Temple and founder of Shipibo Rao.
Ikaro for COVID-19 from Maestra Ynes Sanchez
Some Realities Facing the People of the Amazon
What we are all experiencing these past months has been challenging in a myriad of ways, and for some of us and for some communities, the impacts have been highly detrimental.
The unfortunate reality across the Amazon basin is that, apart from eco, mainstream, and medical tourism, lucrative job opportunities are most often limited to ecocidal industries such as corporate agriculture, petroleum extraction, logging, and mining, which cause extensive damage, destroying ecosystems and harming the health and well-being of the earth and its inhabitants. Many workers may have no other option than to seek employment in these harmful sectors unless they receive support through this crisis.
Another reality is that many people in the Amazon have stopped living from the land and rely almost entirely on income to buy food. Food packs and financial aid from the Peruvian government are reaching very few people and the very real threat of widespread famine is already present and is increasing on a weekly basis. With sombre predictions for the Peruvian economy for the near future, it will be extremely difficult for most people in the Amazon to earn any income.
Let’s Keep Our Support Coming!
We have now distributed 80% of your donations to the healers and workers at the Temple, Niwe Rao Xobo, and Shipibo Rao and the next distribution is planned for the end of this month.
Although the number of infected cases in Iquitos and Pucallpa is now dropping, the economic crisis is becoming increasingly dire as the weeks pass. The need for us to continue our efforts in this campaign beyond our initial goal has been made clear and we have now increased our goal to $100,000. This will allow us to increase the amounts we distribute to each individual, continue to provide critical aid, and cover a portion of the cost of living for them and their families until October when we plan to re-open the Temple.
Over the last month, five of the Temple healers became ill, probably with COVID-19. It is difficult to know for sure due to the inaccuracy of the rapid tests that are available in Peru, and also because none of the healers want to go to a clinic/hospital and prefer to work with medicinal plants to treat themselves. Their treatments have been successful and we are very relieved and happy to share that they are all now recovering.
As the healers have so patiently helped us to see over the years, remembering our solidarity and unity is a vital practice for our wellbeing and growth, both individually and collectively. Thank you again for your alliance and support of the healers and workers who practice and protect the ancient healing traditions of the Amazon.
Please consider continuing to support them through this time with a monthly donation, and help us spread the word about the campaign through your channels, networks, and conversations!
With much appreciation,
Your friends at the Temple of the Way of Light, Niwe Rao Xobo, and Shipibo Rao
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