Who are the Achuar of las Amazonas?
The Achuar are Indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin, inhabiting the modern borders of Ecuador and Peru. Protected by their rainforest location, they have experienced minimal contact from modern society, with their unique culture, language and way of life untouched by colonising influences. Their ancestral lands span across almost 2 million acres of lush jungle that is increasingly under pressure of corporate interests and government encroachment.
What's español got to do with it?
As government and corporate interests destroy the sanctity of the Amazon, Indigenous peoples and cultures are increasingly under threat. Environmental degradation and resource exploitation are two of the most dire challenges facing Indigenous Achuar communities – and without the resources and capabilities to defend their knowledges, rights, land and culture, they will continue to be marginalised and disempowered for government and corporate gain.
At Selva, we believe education is the most important resource for Indigenous self-empowerment. By giving Achuar communities the opportunity to learn Spanish (the official national language of Ecuador), we are helping their voices be heard – and giving them the tools to defend themselves and their land in national political discussion.
Selva's Story..
Selva first began in 2016 in Suwa – a small Achuar community on the banks of the Rio Pastaza. Jacinta Bailey, Founder and Director of Selva, came to stay and immediately fell in love with the people, the culture and the stunning nature. A fluent Spanish speaker, she was invited by the Indigenous community to begin a school in Kuserua soon after. There she discovered the serious need for further resources to help the community protect themselves against government and corporate interests.
In 2017, Jacinta came back to Sydney to finish her double degree in Communications (Social Inquiry) and International Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. During this degree her major interests have been in gender studies and Latin American studies. Since returning from Suwa however, she has begun further pursue research in Indigenous studies and Indigenous education with organisations such as Tranby National Indigenous Education and Training.
In January 2018, she will be travelling back into Kuserua with her first volunteers to officially launch Selva!
The Selva difference
Our mission is based off three core values: sustainable education, gender equality and indigenous pedagogy. We believe that these three pillars are essential to give the best educational opportunities to the community.
Opportunity to engage
Currently, education within small Achuar communities is conducted with limited resources. There is a lack of teachers available, and lessons are practiced solely in the native Achuar language. Although the continued use and engagement of the Achuar language is vital to preserving their rich culture, traditions and way of life – it is also limiting further educational opportunities, as well as their political activities.
Learning Spanish is integral for the Achuar peoples. It offers both the opportunity to engage with the jurisdiction of their legal territory of Equador (where Spanish is the official language), and the opportunity for the community to seek further education or sustainable work for their community.
How you can help start our Selva school!
At the start of 2018 we will be heading back into the Amazon to get the Selva school up and running in the Achuar community of Kuserua but to achieve this we need your generosity!
Like any new school we need school supplies and to get them into the Amazon, which is incredibly difficult due to the communities remoteness. On top of this we need to bring basic daily needs like Mosquito nets, torches and bedding in for the volunteer teachers who are the life-blood of Selva.
Interested in being a Selva volunteer?
If you speak Spanish and are interested in teaching (and learning) in one of the most magical environments on earth then check out our website and email us about volunteering! https://selva146843575.wordpress.com/
Or, connect with us on Facebook.
