In early February, I visited the Xingu region of the Brazilian Amazon with colleagues from Amazon Watch. It took me a week to process what I experienced there and I thought it was important to share some thoughts, and memories, so you get a better understanding of how important your support for our work is.
I am Brazilian. I came to the U.S. four years ago with a dream: To find a place where I could really do what I love and believe in, helping to protect the Amazon rainforest and its traditional people. I thought that in my country nobody cared, or the ones who did were unable to be effective, and so I started looking for this magical place where people do care, and do make the difference. I walked a long way to find this place, and here I am working for Amazon Watch.
It’s been a year and half since I was last in the Xingu. I was there as a lawyer, helping to gather information in preparation for the case for the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. Now I was back there as a representative of Amazon Watch and as a friend, fighter in this struggle. It was a deeply powerful, but disturbing visit. I cried…a lot!
Since the last time I was there everything changed… Altamira is a different town now. What was suppose to be a “new world” as it was sold by the government and the companies is only a messy chaotic town crowded with people, noise, and issues. One hospital and no infrastructure turned Altamira into a sad “black and white” portrait of what so-called “development” means for real to those affected by it.
Many of the communities I sat with the last time to talk about the issues around Belo Monte have been completely removed, and destroyed. Among them I want to tell you about one particular family in a community called “Divino Pai Eterno.” I met the “Barros” family the last time I was there. Lucimar – a poet and warrior, leader of the small-scale agriculture communities in the Xingu – spent his entire life there, along with his parents, brothers, and now with his wife and kids as well. I never met someone so strong, and beautiful human being. It’s important to note that Amazon Watch supports traditional communities that are not necessarily indigenous.
Caroline Bennett (AW Communications Director) and I spent a full day with his family on our “last” field trip together, after visiting a number of the most affected fisher, riverine, agricultural communities, the people from the city, and of course, the indigenous communities. Many hours of non-sleeping, road trips, boat trips, and hundreds of meetings later we decided that instead of sitting together to discuss next steps, we would go to Lucimar’s house, as we had been invited to.
Getting to their land was a big adventure where “breaking safety rules” was the only rule. We had to cross lands in the middle of the forest sitting four (both of us, Lucimar, and one of his kids) on a motorcycle. The road was muddy, and later too dark to see, but it was so worth it! This is one family that fought so hard, and now is being removed against their will. They’ve built an entire life around those lands surrounded by the beauty and richness of the vast Amazon, and its colors, smells, memories. We could feel the love in every single corner of that place, and even in their wet salty eyes.
Their community has been devastated. They are the only remaining ones there. The grandma is taking depression pills. The work camps are less than one kilometer away from their land. The dynamite explosions make the house shake. It’s an endless noise crosscutting the sound of the forest all night, not allowing them a single moment of peace or sleep.
Now is probably the time you must be asking yourself, “Why do we keep helping?”
Why do we believe this is not a fait accompli? Why do we need your support?
Before answering those questions I have to remember a moment with Lucimar where he looked into my eyes with a humble smile on his face and held my hands saying, “I am moving with sadness in my heart because I have no choice, but I will keep in the fight, and you can count on me. Even though I feel defeated sometimes, every single moment was worthy because this battle allowed me to meet people like you. People that have blessed hearts and souls, and who are fighting to help others. That is what gives me hope for a better world.”
Lucimar finalized his words with a “thank you.” I was in tears.
This is why we do what we do. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because we committed to these people and to the Amazon. It’s because standing in solidarity means much more than a simple expression. This is not only about Belo Monte, but also about every single form of destruction, and disrespect to people’s rights, and lives. I believe that battles like this are never lost ones when you can touch peoples hearts, and make them believe more in themselves, making them know they are not alone.
I will never forget the smiles on their faces, lighted by only a few candles on that night. With all the pain, and destruction around their land it felt like there was only us and the forest for a moment. On that night, under the blessed sky full of starts, we all found more space in our hearts for faith to come in, and happiness to come out.
