About 60% of the Amazon rainforest—known as the “lungs of the Earth”—is located in Brazil. The Brazilian government has been implementing various policies to protect the Amazon, but illegal logging and development have led to a sharp rise in wildfires, posing major challenges. In 2024 alone, over 140,000 wildfires occurred in the Brazilian Amazon, which is a 42% increase compared with the previous year.
These fires worsen air quality, threaten biodiversity, and devastate the lives of Indigenous communities living in the Amazon basin. As their homes are destroyed, indigenous peoples also suffer serious impacts on their health.
To support indigenous peoples affected by the fires, WeLoveU reached out to Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (FUNAI), a Brazilian government agency that protects Indigenous rights and culture.
A FUNAI representative suggested focusing support on Sorocaima I, a village of the Taurepang people in Pacaraima, Roraima state, which had been severely affected by the fires.
📌 Wildfire Damage in Sorocaima I Village
Housing
Completely or partially destroyed
Farmlands
Fields burned, crops lost
Drinking Water
Water pipes damaged
The residents lost their homes and sources of livelihood due to the fires, And broken water pipelines led to a serious water shortage. As the village is located in a remote area far from the city center, government aid had difficulty reaching them.
On January 23, WeLoveU members visited the village and talked with the residents about the wildfire damage and the assistance they needed. They promised to install water pumps to address the water shortage and support firefighting efforts, and to expand the small health post to improve the medical environment.
Water Pumps and Health Post Expansion
From February 6 to April 24, construction was carried out to install water pumps and expand the health post. Thanks to these efforts, around 600 residents now have stable access to clean water and healthcare.
📌 Water Pump Installation (2 Units)
February 6 & 26
📌 Health Post Expansion
After the water pumps were installed, residents said they could respond to fires more quickly and that the time spent fetching water had been reduced by 30 minutes to over an hour. They also expressed their joy that access to healthcare had become much more convenient thanks to the expansion.
Positive Changes for Sorocaima I Village
Astro Marino Flores, the 2nd Chief (2 Tuchaua) of Sorocaima I Village, shared heartfelt gratitude: “No one had come to help us before, but WeLoveU came and offered their help. This support is not only for us, but also for the children who will be born in the future. We are deeply grateful.”
Voices of the Villagers
📌 Water Pump Installation
“Now that we drink clean water, everyone’s health in the village has improved.”
“The time to draw water has been reduced, and hygiene levels have greatly improved. ”
“We are so happy that clean water is now supplied to our village.”
“We used to suffer from a water shortage, but now we have water whenever we need it.”
“It feels like the water has come back to us.”
“Thank you for doing something so essential for our village.”
📌 Health Post Expansion
“Even when it rains, we no longer worry. We can just go inside and wait. Before, the health post was so small that even two people made it feel crowded. Now, it fits 20 people comfortably.”
“The space is larger, making it easier for the staff to work and for patients to wait.”
“We used to conduct checkups and store documents in a tiny space. Now, we can better care for those in need.”
“It’s easier to get medical treatment now, and the place looks much nicer.”
WeLoveU School’s Hygiene Education
On May 8, a completion ceremony was held in Sorocaima I to celebrate the installation of water pumps and the expansion of the health post. WeLoveU members also held a WeLoveU School hygiene education session for children in the village.
The children promised to practice what they learned by washing their hands properly to protect their own health and their families’.
Their bright smiles lit up their faces as they carefully soaped up and washed between their fingers under running water.
Supporting the Well-Being of Indigenous Communities
Local officials also shared their appreciation for WeLoveU’s support.
“Water is life. The installation of water pumps is extremely important for this region, and the supply of high-quality water will have a positive impact on residents’ health. With the expanded health post, both medical services and working conditions for health staff will improve.”
Dionides Peixoto Silva, Head of the Construction and Indigenous Environmental Sanitation Services (SESANI), DSEI Leste de Roraima
“We sincerely thank WeLoveU for supporting our community with the health post and water pumps. May blessings be with the International WeLoveU Foundation for what they’ve done in our city.”
Eraldo Mendes, City Councilor of Pacaraima
WeLoveU remains committed to improving access to clean water and healthcare services so that our global neighbors can live healthy lives.
We hope that the peaceful daily life of the Sorocaima I community will be fully restored very soon.
