Helping indigenous and traditional communities to organize for effective self-governance as well as develop and implement sustainable solutions to improve their health and well-being.    

Community Empowerment Project

For the past several hundred years, indigenous and traditional communities have suffered terribly at the hands of outsiders ultimately resulting in the degradation of both biological and cultural resources. This has resulted in the loss and destruction of ancestral lands as well as the disintegration of cultural traditions. We are working to empower and assist communities in their fight to take control of their own destinies by providing support for organizational development and leadership training. For example, we helped the Maijuna indigenous group establish a legally recognized indigenous federation and support their yearly inter-community congress, bringing together their four distantly separated communities.

Healthy Communities PROJECT

Indigenous and traditional communities throughout the world often lack access to basic health care putting children, elders, and other community members at great risk. We are working to assist and empower communities to improve their well-being and quality of life through not only enhanced access to lifesaving health care but also through the revitalization of traditional medical systems including the use of medicinal plants. For example, we are working with the Maijuna indigenous group to improve and strengthen their access to health care during times of need through an emergency health fund as well as by building capacity in their ability to effectively navigate the Peruvian health care system. This work is in collaboration with the Cabeceras Aid Project.