My Journey Into the Amazon

[A personal account by EBL's operations director, Oscar, to bring energy and connectivity to Peruvian tribes]

We had been on the river for nearly an hour, and after a while, the hum of the boat's engine was replaced by the rhythmic noises of the Amazon, which included the sounds of insects chirping, birds calling in the distance, and the sound of water gently lapping against the hull. I was there to help provide indigenous tribes with off-grid and sustainable solar electricity and high-speed communications. Tribes that serve as stewards of one of the most significant resources in the world–the Amazon rainforest and its waterways, and lthat have been relying on limited resources for a long time.

This was part of a collaborative effort between Empowered by Light, Amazon Watch and FECONAU (Federation of Native Communities of Ucayali and Affluents, a local NGO that has been working to conserve the land, culture, and resources of indigenous peoples in the Amazon region) to provide off-grid solar power and satellite internet service to fifteen different communities in the Amazon Basin in Peru, improving important services such as communication, healthcare, education, and emergency response capabilities by bridging the technical gap. As mentioned in the last EBL newsletter, these tribes have faced growing risks from extractive and criminal activities, such as illegal logging and animal trafficking, and the solar+satellite systems will enable them to communicate more effectively with each other in defending their territory from illegal encroachment.

Just the day before, having spent months organizing, fundraising, and coordinating logistics, I had boarded a flight from Puerto Rico to Lima, Peru where I met up with the rest of the deployment team. From Lima, we traveled to Pucallpa by plane, then on to Flor de Ucayali–the site of the first installation, by boat. We contracted with Hinversolar, a local solar installation firm that has extensive expertise working with villages that are geographically isolated, whose expertise was extremely helpful in overcoming logistical problems and instructing members of the community on how to properly manage their new energy systems.

I was lucky… Due to recent heavy rains, we were able to take a shortcut and complete the boat ride to Flor de Ucayali in about two hours even though it usually takes around eight. Flor de Ucayali is a thriving indigenous town situated along the riverbanks of one of the tributaries to the Ucayali River. This Shipibo-Konibo community lives in harmony with the rainforest, adjusting their daily lives to the natural cycles of the surrounding environment, but the lack of electricity has restricted educational opportunities and made communication–critical to territorial defense, difficult. 

The community gave us a warm welcome including a traditional meal and storytelling. During the solar installation, we worked with community members to ensure that they had a thorough understanding of how to maintain and make minor repairs to the systems. People gathered to use the Wi-Fi, elders nodded their heads in appreciation, and a sense of collective accomplishment filled the air, and I saw how even the smallest of actions can result in significant transformations.

From Flor de Ucayali we traveled by car to the second site, Comunidad Nativa de San José de Tunuya, a community of Peruvian Asháninka, where the entire community including its chief welcomed us. This indigenous community, located deep in the rainforest, is particularly well-known for their spiritual connection to the land and complete reliance on it. However, the absence of electricity has caused considerable challenges, particularly in terms of education and healthcare.

Many challenges can arise when it comes to bringing solar power to remote areas. High humidity, unpredictable weather, and the sheer isolation of these communities, requires swift adjustments in planning. However, the tenacity of the people was a great source of motivation. Individuals of all ages, including children, gathered together and became enthusiastic participants, inquiring about the systems, assisting in lifting and positioning panels, and learning how to maintain the systems for their future. 

Beyond providing energy access, this project serves to underscore an important fact–that sustainability is not solely about technology; rather, it is about people. We didn’t just install solar panels. We also worked to build relationships. Over the course of our meals together, we listened to stories shared around communal fires, and we gained knowledge about their customs and way of life. The communities greeted us with open arms and shared wisdom rooted in generations spent living in harmony with nature. Their new-found connectivity is critical for advancement and opportunity. This project wasn’t just about bringing light and connectivity, it was also about the empowerment, dignity, and greater independence that connectivity brings.

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