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I watched how butterflies gathered on the riverbank: Indigenous Education and the Fight For Land Rights

Updated: Nov 20

This story was relayed to us by our friend Yadira Osorio Carpio 

October 2024


I was born in a small community called Aruza, located in the Yape district, in the district of Pinogana, province of Darien, Panama. I have grown up and lived my entire life in this community.  During my childhood, I listened to my grandfather and other members of the community talk about the problems they faced, especially land conflicts and how this affected the rivers and the forest. Since I was little, I was always interested in staying informed about the challenges and situations affecting the community.


I loved hearing the stories about how, over the years, the community has fought to defend their land against those who would take it from us.


My relationship with nature has always been close. I enjoyed bathing in rivers during my childhood and I watched how butterflies gathered on the riverbank, so I planted flowers to attract them to be able to see them up close. I also loved watching the birds that flew near my house. I listened to their songs every morning and watched how they built their nests. I played outdoors and made little houses out of palm leaves with my friends.

indigenous education panama
Yadira

We loved going on vacation to the forest with my parents. I remember that we loved exploring and climbing the  trees. We used to climb the branches and then jump into the river, an experience that filled me with joy. I was also fascinated by looking at the mountains, seeing the mist that covered them and feeling the freshness of the air. However, at that time I saw everything as a scenic beauty, a place to enjoy and admire, without fully understanding its value and how it works.


But as I began my studies, I understood how all species are interconnected and essential to the balance of the ecosystem, even those that seem insignificant. This understanding made me see the need to protect endangered species and conserve our forests. Also, to promote the reforestation of devastated areas and conserve native tree species that are disappearing due to illegal logging by settlers and some companies.


Since I was little, I have always been very curious to understand how plants grow and become big, leafy trees. And how these trees spread and grew somewhere else. However, I had no idea that there was a career dedicated to studying these processes.


Everything changed the day I received a phone call from one of my uncles. At that time, I had already finished sixth grade and was in my second year of English studies at university, thanks to a scholarship I had won. I didn't know exactly what I was doing it for. I also didn't want to study a career that would take me away from home, much less leave the country since I had never been away from my parents. I had always been close to them. The idea of ​​being away from my parents scared me.


I perfectly remember the afternoon I received the call. They asked me if I wanted to study forestry engineering abroad. At first, I had no idea what that career was about, so I called an aunt who lived somewhere else and who had knowledge on the subject. I asked her what it was about, and she replied, “It’s the study of trees.” Hearing that, I thought, “It shouldn’t be that complicated, if it’s just the study of trees.”


indigenous education in panama
Aruza, Panama

So, I said to myself, “Yes, I want to study that career.”


In addition, my uncle explained to me that they had been looking for students in all the communities, but that many did not meet the academic requirements. He told me that I did meet them and that the scholarship was full. That same afternoon I had to make a quick decision, since I only had that day to confirm whether I would accept the opportunity. When I told my parents, they told me, “If you want to go, we support you.” It seemed like I only needed to hear those words to make my decision. Without thinking too much, I told them that I did want to study forestry engineering. I felt that I already knew what I wanted and what I was going to learn, because I was passionate about knowing in depth how nature worked.


Surprisingly, at that moment I was not afraid to separate from my parents and leave my community. The desire to learn about the importance of natural resources and their management was stronger than my fears.


The next day, I traveled to Panama City to deliver all the documents and carry out the necessary procedures, since I only had two weeks to complete the process and deliver everything to the Human Resources institution. I remember that I asked God that, if it was His will for me to study this career in another country, I would not face problems with the documents. If complications arose, I would take it as a sign that it was not part of His plan. Everything went even better than I expected. In just two weeks I managed to complete everything, and that is how I arrived in Honduras to study forestry engineering.


At first, adapting to the studies was quite a challenge. There were subjects that I had never seen in my high school, and I found it difficult to understand them. The first year was especially complicated, but little by little, in the second year, I began to get used to it and understand the subjects that were difficult for me before. There were times when I felt that I couldn't. Sometimes I would get so frustrated that I would cry when I couldn't understand a topic. At such times, I would pray to God for help and knowledge, and He always answered my prayers.


indigenous education in panama

During these four years of study, I have experienced His kindness and generosity. Thanks to His help, I was able to overcome every challenge, pass all my classes, and gain a deep understanding of natural resource management and forest care, something I was completely unaware of before. I now understand the true value of these resources and the vital importance of protecting them.


After my studies, I want to support our indigenous communities. My desire is to serve my people and give the best of myself. I ask God that the love and longing I feel for my people always remain in me, and that this desire is not just a passing emotion, but a genuine commitment to serve our communities.


I want to be a blessing to them, to be what they expect of me, since that is what I have prepared myself for, although I know that I still have a lot to learn. I am willing to continue learning from the experiences that the communities have lived, because more than teaching, I want to be an apprentice. In addition, I want to motivate young people to prepare and study, so that together we can protect and conserve our forest.


~


Native Future’s scholarship program ensures Yadira can complete her final year of studies, when she must carry out and defend a project, to complete her forestry degree. Thank you for supporting her future, and that of her community!



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