Saving a way of life: The Women's Forest of the Awajún

The Alto Mayo region of northern Peru is inhabited by 14 Awajún communities. In the last two decades they have seen 25% of their forests disappear primarily to rice and coffee plantations. They were also losing valuable ancestral knowledge about medicinal plants.

To rescue their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, the Awajún women asked to manage 9 hectares of the forest - eventually launching a line of teas now sold throughout Peru - becoming economically independent and stronger as a community.

“This forest was one of the last corners of our home that didn't turn into a coffee plantation.” said Cumbia Sawao. “It is the refuge of what was about to be lost. By preserving our knowledge we can cure everything from insect bites to broken bones. All directly from the Earth to the body.”