Building the Future: Our Journey in Vista Alegre

Our team meeting at Tortas Malu to organize, pick up equipment,
and eat delicious torta (cake)!

In the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, along the banks of the Amazon River, lies the indigenous village of Vista Alegre.  Over the past few months, our team has been working to build essential facilities for volunteers, service providers, and tourists.  (Money from tourism provides local employment and helps our operations to become more self-sustaining.)  This ambitious project includes building a guesthouse, kitchen, and bathroom, all of which will support both community development and education for indigenous youth.  However, we've encountered both struggles and successes.

The kitchen floor.

The Construction Process

One of the primary challenges we faced was sourcing and preparing the wood necessary for our construction.  The task wasn't simple; we had to cut the timber, a task complicated by the chainsaw's failure.  This breakdown not only delayed our progress but also affected overall material procurement.  Additionally, transporting the timber required hauling it a significant distance to our construction site, by a small wooden boat navigating the winding waterways.  Building the structures with only hand tools presented another layer of difficulty.  Despite our limited resources, our team demonstrated remarkable perseverance.  Even more daunting was the fact that any additional building supplies required a four-hour round trip—each time an exercise in patience and endurance.  The process was slow, but it taught us resilience, teamwork, and the importance of detailed planning.

Framing the walls and roof.

At last, our new roof.

Our partners in Vista Alegre keep very good records.

Solar Power Installation

Recognizing the need for sustainable energy, we installed a 635-watt solar panel system, complete with a charge controller and power inverter.  We also brought over a 12-volt lithium-ion battery repurposed from our previous project in La Libertad, which will help with energy sustainability.  However, acquiring the solar panel and related supplies proved to be another logistical challenge.  A seven-hour round-trip to fetch the solar equipment highlighted the intricacies of rural supply logistics, most of which pointed to one surprising truth: for reliable, high-quality materials, we found that Amazon.com was the most reliable way to obtain what we needed.  Their shipments arrived in Leticia within three weeks, providing us with much-needed resources for both the guesthouse and the kitchen.   We also wish to mention the helpfulness and patience of the Letician business Energy Sun.  They sold, helped set up, and taught the villagers how to use and maintain the solar installation.

Breakfast before work.  Sometimes the villagers eat
fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Meeting at Tortas Malu to pick up the supplies.

Roberto is checking the kitchen supplies.

Hooking up all of the solar system parts.

The cables will connect the panel to the charge controller.

Putting together the roof mount for the panel.
It can be expanded to hold up to two additional panels.   

Mounting the panel on Roberto's house.  He is the
caretaker for the project's buildings.

Brayan mounted the electronics in the new guesthouse. 

The system is working and charging the battery!

As a backup, we rely on the village's power.  Unfortunately, 
it is frequently out or experiences extreme voltage fluctuations.

Establishing Connectivity

In today's digital age, reliable internet is crucial for education and economic support.  We installed Starlink's new mini-satellite system to ensure the village could maintain connectivity for the school and to promote employment and tourism opportunities.  This development also plays a pivotal role in emergencies.  While the system functions well, we continually face challenges with the village's intermittent electrical supply—frequent power outages and spikes have pushed us to rely on our solar installation more than ever.

A photo of the Starlink Mini.  It is very "mini".
We mounted it on Roberto's roof, next to the guesthouse.
The new solar panel is pictured in the foreground.

The Starlink app.
We are connected to the network.

The Next Steps

The chainsaw has been repaired.  We have resupplies of food, fuel, and other necessities to restart work.  Yesterday, February 18, we started to cut the last of the wood needed to finish the kitchen.  After this, all of the major work will be finished.

Other tasks include:

• placing a router so we can sell our extra internet bandwidth and share the monthly internet cost
• finishing the painting
• finishing the beds
• building shelves, tables, and benches
• building a pantry in the kitchen
• tiling the shower floor

In June, our director will arrive in the village.  He will be fine-tuning the solar installation, properly wiring the house and buildings with a dual electrical system of village power and solar power, and setting up a donated laptop for village use.

All of the wood used in construction is
milled by a chainsaw.

Depending on the time of year, the wood must be
carried for up to a mile, and sometimes more.

The boats are loaded with hundreds of
pounds of lumber.

The boards are ready to finish the kitchen.

Community Collaboration

This effort culminated in two months of meticulous planning to coordinate our team and supporters in Leticia, gather all necessary materials, teach the villagers how to connect and use the solar system, and collaborate with our friends from Tortas Malu, a local bakery.  The partnership has strengthened community bonds, allowing us to share resources and knowledge effectively.

A video of the technician from Energy Sun teaching 

the villagers how to install and operate the power system.

Acknowledgments and Invitations

As we reflect on this journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters and volunteers.  Your unwavering commitment, resources, and donations enable us to continue our mission of empowering indigenous youth through education.

Mark your calendars—this April, we will launch our 2026 scholarship campaign drive.  This year, we hope to support at least 45 students from Vista Alegre, La Libertad, and Leticia.

We invite everyone to join us this Sunday, February 22, for a livestream event on Facebook and YouTube at 7 PM Eastern Time.  We'll dive deeper into our construction adventures, share personal stories from our journey, and answer your questions.  We hope to see you there!

Would you like to join us in Vista Alegre?  In July, 2026, we will be putting the finishing touches on the volunteer and tourism support buildings.  You may come anytime after this to Vista Alegre or to our sister village, La Libertad, in Colombia, to volunteer with our programs or as a tourist.

Thank you for being part of our journey as we build a resilient future for the villages of Vista Alegre and La Libertad!

Have you made it this far in the post?  Thank you for hanging in there!  Please share this update with people you think may be interested.  Once again, we are always looking for volunteers, both in and outside the Amazon, to help with social media, editing, recruitment, grant writing, and fundraising.

2025 Year-End Reflections: A Remarkable Year of Growth in the Amazon

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every supporter who helped make this our most productive year yet.  Your generosity—through donations for scholarships, construction, and communications—has been the backbone of our work.  We’re also grateful to everyone who contributed by purchasing indigenous handicrafts and Colombian emeralds, whose sales provided vital additional funding.  Thanks to your support, we’ve achieved more than ever before for indigenous students in the Colombian and Peruvian Amazon.

A New Boat for La Libertad
This year, we celebrated the launch of a new boat for the village of La Libertad.  Built in close collaboration with the villagers—who provided both the labor and locally sourced wood—and funded by Amazon Pueblo for building materials and workers’ food, the boat quickly became an essential part of daily life.  It now serves as vital transportation for attending community events along the river, shopping trips to the city, and accessing healthcare services.

La Libertad Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFFgH6JfGUhaRZCy9

Health Center Completion
After three years of steady, part-time construction, we proudly completed work on the La Libertad health center.  This achievement was made possible by the many donors who provided funds, labor, and equipment.  The new facility will improve health across the community, enabling children to succeed in school by addressing needs such as proper wound care, treatment of parasitic infections, and preventive health measures.

Solar Power Upgrades
We upgraded La Libertad’s solar power system from 12 volts to an efficient 48-volt system, providing 24-hour access to electricity and communications.  With the addition of a 580-watt panel, the village now enjoys more reliable power.  Even better, components from the old system will be repurposed to provide solar energy to our newest partner community, Vista Alegre.

Building Repairs and New Spaces
This year also brought essential repairs and renovations, thanks to the tireless efforts of our village volunteers.  We addressed challenges posed by termites, powderpost beetles, and mold, making improvements to the guest house, kitchen, bathroom, and storage sheds.  We also created a new covered outdoor common area—a welcoming space for eating, meeting, conversation, and teaching.

Volunteer Program Highlights
Our volunteer program continues to flourish, with individuals from the US and Europe joining us throughout the year.  Currently, we have two wonderful volunteers from Sweden who are teaching English and painting, building lasting connections with villagers.  Our volunteers not only share their skills but also foster an understanding of cultures beyond the Amazon, modeling the vital value of service to others.

Scholarship Program and Educational Support

We are committed to empowering the youth of indigenous communities in the Amazon.  Our focus has been on the communities of La Libertad in Leticia, Colombia, and Vista Alegre in Peru.  We have seen firsthand the potential and enthusiasm of these students, and we’re excited to share updates on our scholarship program.

Currently, we have 45 dedicated students enrolled in our initiative.  With our donors’ support, we have made significant strides in not only providing financial assistance but also in creating a supportive educational environment.

In addition to financial support, we also recognize the value of mentorship and personalized education.  Our volunteer tutors have been instrumental in providing additional academic help in math and English.  It’s truly inspiring to see the students engage with tutors who share their knowledge and passion.

Recently, we celebrated a significant milestone—the graduation of our elementary school students.  To mark this special occasion, we provided a cake that served 120 people, bringing joy and a sense of community to the event.  These moments remind us of the importance of education and the collective effort required to uplift our youth.

Beyond academic support, we have also rolled up our sleeves and partnered with the schools on maintenance projects.  These efforts help create a safe and welcoming learning environment, further underscoring our commitment to these communities and to students’ educational journeys.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to walking alongside these students until they graduate.  Many have expressed interest in pursuing careers in law enforcement, health care, and retail management after attending trade school.  We are excited to see them reach their goals and become role models in their communities. 

Expanding to Vista Alegre
This year marked the start of our expansion to Vista Alegre, where we’ve been warmly welcomed.  The villagers have generously donated wood and have shown exceptional commitment to quality and transparency in every project.  Together, we have built a volunteer and tourism guest house, a bathroom, and begun construction on a kitchen.  We are collecting equipment for a solar power system and have obtained estimates for a Starlink internet connection in Caballococha, Peru.  Looking ahead, the community hopes to develop a health center similar to the one in La Libertad, and we are excited to continue supporting their vision.

Vista Alegre Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AEyGtacLm8gGny9r8

Looking Ahead: Join Us
In summary, 2025 has been a year of progress, partnership, and hope.  Every achievement is a testament to your support.  As we look toward 2026, we invite you to help us continue this journey—especially as we build up Vista Alegre’s facilities.  Please visit the link below to support our construction fund for Vista Alegre.

We also invite you to join our livestream on January 1, 2026, from 7 pm to 8 pm Eastern Time.  Meet the directors, hear stories from the field, and get your questions answered.  The link to join is below.

Thank you for your support of our work and for helping us empower the next generation of indigenous students in the Amazon.  Together, we are making a difference!

Would you like to be a part of our work?  Join us in supporting the construction campaign for 2026: https://givebutter.com/vistaalegre

If you know someone who may want to visit the Amazon and participate in our volunteer program, please forward this newsletter to them or share the link: https://amazonpueblo.org/visit-us-in-the-amazon/.

For continuing or new sponsors of our scholarship program, we will start the 2026 scholarship campaign on April 19.

Check out the newly updated Health/Dental page of our website to see what we are up to!

 https://amazonpueblo.org/health-dental/