The Yanomami Need You

Mining, ranching, and health care chaos threaten Yanomami

For thousands of years, the Yanomami have thrived in the rainforests of South America.

Now, they are struggling as the government fails to protect them from criminal invasions, attacks and disease.

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The Yanomami believe strongly in equality among people. Each community is independent from others and they do not recognize ‘chiefs’. Decisions are made by consensus, frequently after long debates where everybody has a say.

In 2004, Yanomami from 11 regions met to form their own organisation, Hutukara (meaning ‘the part of the sky from which the earth was born’), to defend their rights and run their own projects.

As a result of their increasing contact with outsiders, the Yanomami and CCPY, a Brazilian NGO, set up a Yanomami education project. One of its main aims is to raise awareness amongst the Yanomami of their rights.

Yanomami teachers are been trained to teach reading, writing and maths in their communities. Other Yanomami have been trained as health agents by Urihi, a healthcare NGO.

However, in 2004 the Brazilian government’s National Health Foundation (FUNASA) took charge of Yanomami health care. Since then, the Yanomami have increasingly denounced the chaotic health care system.

Officials are being investigated for corruption and stealing money from the health programme. Medicines and vital equipment are not reaching communities stricken by malaria and other diseases, and Yanomami are dying.