CCFI promotes an exchange on Agroforestry for the Pemon-Taurepang indigenous peoples

Pemon-Taurepang

Coming from cross-border communities that occupy territories between Brazil & Venezuela, the Pemon-Taurepang indigenous peoples came to the city of Boa Vista, Roraima, and later became organized, forming the Indigenous Immigrants Association in Roraima (Amir).

Entrepreneurship, music and agroecology are the three main axes activities of this tribe of indigenous entrepreneurs, who went in search of new partners for the development projects of their communities.

The partnership with the Humanitarian Fraternity (FIHF)

For this reason, they made contact with the IndigenousCultural and Training Centre (CCFI), which is managed by the Fraternity –International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), which offers indigenous immigrants in Roraima a path in their search for Lasting Solutions and Livelihoods.

At the beginning of June, the humanitarian aid volunteers present at the Roraima Mission visited the Taurepang communities to support Amir in the presentation of projects, including the idea of self-sustainability for these communities.

“Since the beginning, the Pemon indigenous people have shown us that besides preserving their culture, language and customs, they seek to progress and bring development to their communities”, said the humanitarian aid volunteer, Imer, who has been accompanying them.

Also present in the indigenous assistance is Friar Thomas, a monk of the Grace Mercy Order, who explains: “Within this plan of theirs of developing the communities, the subject of agroforestry came up. They became interested in getting to know the Figueira Light-Community, and of carrying out a two-month exchange in learning our system for agroforestry.”

Training in Agroforestry in the Figueira Light-Community

“The idea is that this training not only be about the planting, but that they can see how the Figueira Light-Community does it, which is a relatively broad system,” said Imer.

Which was confirmed by Friar Renatto, who is responsible for the training and is a coordinator of the Plantings Sector of the FigueiraLight-Community, in one of the meetings carried out online: “We work with more integrated systems, in the context of the plantings, the water, the seeds, the ways of processing, conservation, the making of food, production of vegetables – it’s a very rich field.”

With the project signed and established, on July 7, the indigenous Pemon-Taurepang, Ovélio Rodrigues César, Joan Keysler Delfonzo Fernández and Pablo José Delfonzo Fernández arrived at the FigueiraLight-Community, in Minas Gerais, for a two-month experience of the agroforestry system.

“Our objective is to learn more about agroecology to share with our community here in Brazil, and we also hope to contribute with our knowledge,” says Ovélio Rodrigues, after having arrived at the FigueiraLight-Community.

Frier Renatto agreed, affirming: “It will surely be an exchange of knowledge. On our part, we are completely open to an enriched level of experience, a well-integrated practical experience.”