PROJECTS
SÁPARA NATION COMMUNITY INITIATIVE PROJECTS
The Sápara are an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest, along the border of Ecuador and Peru between the Pastaza and Napo River. Once a nation of 200,000, there are currently less than 500 people remaining. Most speak Kichwa as their primary language, and only five elders still speak the traditional Sápara language.
The Sápara Nation of Ecuador is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” because their language and culture are in danger of disappearing.
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Sápara communities are in communication with the outside world via UHF Radio and the Internet, even from their remote forest location, and are working in partnership with global organizations to support their communities, and defend their rights and the rights of nature.
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The initial projects of Raising The World are focused on supporting and collaborating with communities of the Sápara Nation.
SÁPARA EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
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​This project is to provide ongoing funding for an educational system within several communities of the Sápara Nation located deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. Community leaders have worked to establish an educational system that allows Sápara children to receive a primary education while continuing to live in their home communities. An educational system provided in the territory can integrate a methodology that is appropriate to the indigenous community's culture and lifestyle, providing knowledge and skills from the territory alongside the disciplines of western education.
A fundamental portion of the educational program is to include Sápara culture and language in the students' curriculum. Providing educational opportunities within the territory will reduce the migration of young people to the cities and contribute to supporting thriving communities in the jungle.
The funding for this project will go towards a teacher's salary, schoolhouse, supplies, tuition and other materials and equipment that allow the school to continue to function properly, maintaining and allowing continuity and access to a quality education system for the Sápara people.
THE SÁPARA WOMEN'S CONFERENCE - YARISHAYA ITIUMU
Annually funded by Raising the World​
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On May 9, 2023 the first Sápara Women’s Conference, or Yarishaya Itiumu, was held in Puyo, Ecuador, on the edge of the rainforest. This is a dynamic and inclusive event that empowers, organizes and expands connections between Sapara women. Women from the Schuar, Kichua, Waoraini, Showier, Andwa, Sapara Kichua from Napo, Sierra and Costa were represented.
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Raising the World believes wholeheartedly in Yarishaya Itiumu and as such, we have made the Sapara Women’s Conference an annual giving campaign.
THE EMERGENCY FUND
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The Emergency Fund is in place to help the Indigenous Communities in case of an emergency. Due to the remote area in which they live, the people of the Amazon Rainforest find it difficult to receive urgent medical attention. The emergency fund ensures there are resources available in case someone needs to be evacuated from the jungle via small airplane, and then transporting them to the closest hospital once they are out of the jungle, as well as paying for them to stay in the city while receiving medical care, both for the patient and family.