Palms to entrepreneurship
In the heart of the Amazon, stories of struggle, resistance and development are abundant, almost as many as those of overcoming, union and progress.
Amelia Pacaya is the leader of the United Kokamas Ecological Native Community, established in the district of Curimaná, Province of Father Abad, Ucayali region.
In recent years, his community has been looking for an alternative that allows the development of all families under their protection.
“At first, in these lands Coca was sown. We decided not to continue with that and we started looking for an alternative. We find it in the palm,” says Amelia.
When they started their palmer project, they faced uncertainty and a lot of pressure from NGOs and other groups that satanized Palma’s sustainable culture.
“They told us that nothing grows in La Palma, that no more animals live, that we would be isolated. But none of that happened,” Amelia tells us, who today reaps, along with her community members, more than x tons per month of palm.
One of the things that stands out is how Palma work joins the entire community, since everyone benefits equally.
“I did not go to school, my children had no studies; but today my grandchildren and granddaughters are already going to university, and all thanks to the palm and money that gives us,” he says with a smile.
“This is for everyone, and in eight south we have an ally. Beyond social support, it is our partner: we sell the palm we reap in our lands,” says Amelia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=xyspjb8yus-dnzax&v=-x0ljGrtmfk&feature=youtu.be
Palmas to Shipibo art
For its part, going down the Aguaytía River, a few kilometers from its mouth in the Ucayali River, a group of artisans from the Native Shambo Porvenir community takes their art to various corners of Peru and the world.
At the head of this group is Elizabeth Tangoa innocent, Shipiba artist of the Amazon textile, who mobilizes her companions to add to her tradition the use of machines that improve their production and quality.
“We have worked with various institutions and companies to move forward our art. Our looms have left Peru and we are proud,” says Elizabeth.
One of the priorities for the artisans of Shambo Porvenir is not to abandon the essence of their art: the embroidery, tinctures and handmade details, which make each of the pieces unique.
While they have sewing machines and remaller to make poles, pants or skirts, the designs are still performed by hand, with millenary patterns inherited from generation to generation.
“Many times at the fairs they ask us this or that model. It is complicated, because each one is unique. They better leave us the garment or tell us what they want, and that they receive a good job of ours,” says Elizabeth, who has just arrived from a successful exhibition in Lima.
Thanks to the alliance between Shambo Porvenir and the company Ocho Sur, and with an invitation from the San Martín Chamber of Commerce, Elizabeth traveled to the capital to show her art in the ‘Amazon evening’ organized by that institution at the Lima Regatas Club.
“Eight South has helped us to get to this evening and we have been able to sell all the partners well. You can always count on them, they are a good neighbor,” says Elizabeth.
The entrepreneurial women of the jungle have always been inspiration and, example of strength and strength to carry out their families, their organizations and their communities.
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