What we are doing

Our Amazonic Pathways Programme is based on the methodology we have used to support over 200 young people in the Cusco region. We have now adapted it to Santa Clotilde, Iquitos, integrating the local way of thinking and culture into our approach, to effectively address young people’s needs.

Currently, the Amazonic Pathways Programme includes the following activities:

• Work collaboratively with teachers and tutors to develop a Child and Youth Protection document, ensuring the concepts of respect, privacy and boundaries are integrated into their teaching.

• Develop workshops with the young people in the last 2 years of secondary school, focusing on active participation, identity and future path choices, such as working, studying or returning to their communities to assume leaderships roles.

Why it is important

The El Napo district, located in the province of Maynas, in the Loreto region, has a poverty rate of almost 80%, with 40% of residents living in extreme poverty. 70% of El Napo’s residents hail from indigenous communities, including Kichwas, Secoyas, Arabelas and Maijunas. These communities focus on subsistence agriculture, making it hard for most families to develop economic stability within the current socio-economic context.

The provision of basic services is also a challenge, so access to clean water and electricity in most communities is unreliable. In Santa Clotilde, the capital of the district, people do have access to clean water, which is poured into tanks daily. There is electricity for approximately 10 hours per day, but internet service is poor.

The challenges stemming from poverty and topography limit young people’s access to higher education and formal employment. As a result, it is almost impossible for them and their families to break the cycle of poverty.

Summary and Objectives

What we are doing

Our young people study at institutes and universities thanks to full scholarships and other support  provided by Amantani. Due to high living costs, young people are offered the option of living at the residence or youth hub, where they can also study and organize recreational activities.

We also run a mentorship system – a successful element of our approach in Cusco – in which two selected students support the academic development and general well-being of their peers in Iquitos.

Why it is important

In most cases, these young people are the first in their families to finish secondary school and pursue higher education. Scholarships enable our young people to continue their studies and access formal employment,increasing their chances of developing financial independence, as well as enabling them to support their families.

Moreover, by focusing on careers related to education, health and environment, our young people become professionals who are willing and able to contribute to the Amazon region’s future sustainability.

Summary and Objectives