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

March 8 ￚ April 24

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.