inspiring woman
..................... they have to complete their basic education and show commitment, ability and strength of character to be selected. Having their own school saves the students from facing discrimination and violence they would encounter at a school elsewhere. The school has been going for 6 years and the first graduates are going on to become teachers, nurses, firefighters, even lawyers, all with computer skills, which they use to help their own people. It’s up to all of us to do our bit, however little the future of this fragile planet is in our hands. things. When a community asks us for help with a project, we assess its viability and decide if it is something we can help with. The management of the project is carried out by the indigenous peoples’ association; we just raise the funds for them and oversee the implementation, though we often help them to expand their organisational capacity. Some of the projects are about generating income, so that they can buy the things they want to use from the mainstream. For example, Sahara, the UK fashion company, has licensed the rights to reproduce a design that was made by one of the women, based on their body celebration decoration. The profits go back directly to the indigenous people. We also work with IlaSpa, who buy babassu oil for their Rainforest Regeneration skin care products.
When I am not in the Amazon, I give illustrated talks to schools, universities, businesses and groups here in the UK, in Europe and in the USA - anyone who is interested! I’ve even given talks and held exhibitions in Brazil.” What do you photograph when you are not working in Brazil?
“I still work as a photographer, on commissions, and I supply international picture libraries. Most of my commissions are for magazines, often photographing people - hedge fund managers, for example. But I’m still a photojournalist - that’s where my heart is. I am always looking for something beautiful and amazing, something I want to share, to show people. From the 3rd to the 25th of March I have an exhibition, “Forest Portraits", at the Brazilian Embassy, just off Trafalgar Square at 14 - 16 Cockspur Street; everyone is invited, and entrance is free.” www.tribesalive.org Donations to the Secondary School project: https://campaign. justgiving.com/charity/ipcs/ kayaposchool email: sue@ipcst.org, sue@scphotographic.com
At the moment Tribes Alive is fundraising to rebuild and expand the only secondary school in the reserves. It serves a population of over 9,000. The students are chosen from each village, and darlingmagazine.co.uk | feb – march 2016
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