Price increases in materials and labor
Inflation has been significantly higher in the Amazon region
than in other parts of Colombia and higher than in the US, making budgeting
difficult. This is the main reason we increased the scholarship program to $140
per year per student.
Low water and transportation difficulties
This year, the Amazon's water level was the lowest in recorded
history, 122 years. Until the river started to rise in December (the level fell
rapidly beginning in June), we had to walk over two kilometers from the river's
edge to our buildings in the village. Transportation of people and
materials was more expensive, took longer, and was physically
challenging. Last year was the second lowest in recorded history.
The low water also causes hardship to the village. Without
rain, the villagers have no potable water. They also lack access to clean water
for bathing, washing clothing, and washing dishes.
Climate science predicts worsening drought in the Amazon in
the coming years.
Time and administration challenges
It has been challenging to manage the administration of the
scholarship program, volunteer support, logistics, construction supervision,
and technical installations this year.
Removal of funding from USAID in our Amazonian region
USAID has had $35 million in aid stopped in the
Colombian Amazon. While we do not directly receive money from USAID, it
will affect our area, and agencies are predicting a decrease in sustainable
business, increased destruction of rainforest land, and an increase in illegal
narcotics operations.
Drug dealers in the village
A family of drug dealers moved into La Libertad two years
ago. They are selling cocaine to the village youth and some adults. The
increased drug availability has been instrumental in an increase in violence
and theft in the village. On a community level, the villagers want these
people to leave the community. They refuse to leave. The dealers
are armed. They have threatened to kill the village chief if he tries to
force them out.
THE UGLY
Corruption and mismanagement in the village
(There has been some
question among the board members and volunteers of Amazon Pueblo as to whether
it is prudent to send information to our supporters about the serious problems
the village experiences. In keeping with our value of transparency, we believe
it is best to publicize the truth about what we are dealing with, rather than give
only the "good news." There is a reason we are helping La
Libertad. The villagers have endured years of exploitation, neglect, and
mismanagement. We are trying to help them find a way out of these
destructive patterns. This is not fast
or easy.)
The village chief is an elected official. He is competent
but also unable or unwilling to save receipts, has poor accounting
practices, and is not fiscally responsible. He has demonstrated vindictiveness
and seems to maintain power through intimidation and deception.
Some of the issues with the chief:
Allegedly given permission to large-scale narcotics producers to enter and live in the community.
Practiced extortion on the villagers, evidenced by the people we employ to cut wood for construction projects.
Is unable or unwilling to give accurate proof of large amounts of money directly donated to the community by the tourism industry.
Requested loans from our project in the community's name without the community's authorization or knowledge.
Accused Amazon Pueblo, without providing proof, of collecting money in the village's name and using it personally.
This behavior directly contradicts Amazon Pueblo's written values, which align with our mission and vision.
OUR VALUES
In pursuit of our mission and vision, we adhere to the
principles of transparency, adaptability, perseverance, respect, and a
commitment to serving others.
Our donation records and how we allocate funds are
transparent. We have receipts and
documentation of the accounting. We have
shown them to the village chief and other members of the community; however, he
still claims that we are hiding money and stealing from the scholarship funds.
We should not compromise our values by giving in
to the corrupt practices of La Libertad's current leadership. We hope that, over time, the village will
reject corruption through education and by modeling positive behaviors.
A NEW HOPE
Continuing the scholarship program
The last time we had problems with La Libertad's leadership,
we designed the scholarship program to be independent of the village's
governance. We can meet with the parents and children in Leticia to do all the
school shopping.
Continuing our partnership with Gustavo
Once again, the last time we had problems with the village
chief, we transferred the ownership of our buildings and equipment to
Gustavo. We did this again to prevent the chief from attempting to take
our supplies or building materials and keep them for himself, his friends, or family,
or to sell them.
We can continue to support Gustavo with a website, internet,
volunteers, tourism, and technical support. Gustavo has an independent,
licensed tourism business in La Libertad. He also has the protection of
the law for his belongings, family, and business.
A partnership with the Colombian foundation La Aljaba
After we discussed the current problems of the management of
La Libertad a friend of the project from Leticia suggested a new collaboration
for us: the La Aljaba foundation in Leticia.
The last time we officially left the village in 2017, we
collaborated with a nonprofit foundation in Leticia, Funmiroca. We worked with
them for four years until the pandemic forced them to relocate to another part
of Colombia. They helped us administer the scholarship program. I remain
friends with their director, Freddy. A new partnership with La Aljaba may help
us fulfill our project's mission and address some other challenging areas of
our program.
New possibilities to work with the Peruvian village of
Vista Alegre
Vista Alegre is a small Peruvian river community located
about 45 minutes upriver from La Libertad.
We have one scholarship student in the community. When the student’s parents learned that we
were leaving La Libertad, they told their community, which was very interested in
a partnership between the village and us.
Points to consider:
1) Their leadership requested to work with us without our
asking.
2) They do not have the drug and alcohol problems of La
Libertad.
3) They have a three-person separation of powers and a
balance of power in the administration of their village government.
4) We can set clear, written expectations and limits when
working with the community.
