The Cause

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is over 5 million acres. In 1982, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve was established by the Peruvian government to preserve this region in the Amazon. Many indigenous communities still live in this rainforest within the reserve. The Peruvian government works with these indigenous communities, and together, they are preserving this beautiful area. The indigenous populations that live within the reserve rely on fishing, gathering, hunting, and farming. During the low-water season, rice, beans, and nuts are grown along the river. Food is plentiful.

The Peruvian government provides a school building and faculty for each community. Education is free. But, students are required to buy and bring their own notebooks, erasers, rulers, pens, paper, and pencils, which these rural families can’t afford. In addition, transportation from the rainforest to the school is not provided. So these communities have to pay to get their children to school in the city by boat from the remote communities. Purchasing school supplies is impossible for these families, so these children arrive at school with no school supplies or athletic gear.