Aid Station for the Waiapí Indians

In spring 2000 on the 500th anniversary of Brazil, Rüdiger Nehberg crossed the Atlantic from Mauritania to Brazil with the massive trunk "THE TREE" to raise media awareness about the threat to the Amazonian rainforest and the Indians (more information at www.ruediger-nehberg.de). Together with Annette Weber he got to know the Waiapí Indians.

The Waiapí Indians are a small people (less than 1,000), who live in the Brazilian rainforest on the border with French Guiana. Their land was also settled and destroyed by gold prospectors in the 1960s and 70s. As a result, many Waiapí were forced to get to know the modern world.

At some point they decided to give priority to their original way of life and to fight for it. Germany has become a strong ally. It has financed a survey of the ancestral lands. In 1996, this was declared a protected area for the Waiapí. They went back into the forest. Today, they live on agriculture, fishing, gathering and hunting. They wear their red loincloths and care for their traditions.

Annette and Rüdiger asked the Indians what support they needed most urgently. A large meeting was called. All chieftains from the surrounding areas were present. They chose an aid station for their region. Their medications are powerless against the new diseases, which are brought in by white people. Even a chickenpox infection can be life-threatening. As old friends of the Indians and nature lovers, for us the construction of an aid station for the Waiapí was a matter close to our hearts.

In April 2002, we handed over the first small building to the Indians. It was built deep in the forest by our builder Hosti Jose. His ancestors come from Germany and he is the right man for the job locally. He tackles things and is practical. It has long been his dream to go to the Indians. Now he has found a job there. The Indians have elected him to be their contact with the Indian protection authorities. He goes to the forest increasingly, to see about rights and to maintain the station.

In summer 2003, a second building became operational. The "Posto de Saude Aldeia C.T.A." has become an important communication centre for the Indians and the authorities. Chieftain Jurará: "The station has become - beyond its actual purpose - the most important meeting place of my people."

The Brazilian health authorities have pledged to maintain the station. With nurses and medication. In 2004, the station was visited by Christoph Bundscherer from the German Embassy in Brazil: "The station is very well looked after. That is not a matter of course for Brazil," he explained to us on the telephone.

Now the Waiapí are dreaming of a small Waiapí school (next to the state one), which will exclusively reawaken, teach about and care for their own language, history and culture.

TARGET also wants to help the Waiapí with this. Not just because of our professional and national helper syndrome, but also for purely egotistical reasons: as long as the Indians recognize and care for their land ownership, it is (relatively) safe for them. And that means that this piece of rainforest remains safe for the rest of the world as an ecological oasis and oxygen supplier.