 |
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.
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.
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/
