Community-Led, Community Driven

This initiative did not begin with an outside organization—it began years ago within the Achuar community itself.

For generations, local leaders, elders, and families have shared a vision: to keep their children home, learning on their ancestral lands, grounded in culture, language, and the rainforest that sustains life on Earth. They have already taken concrete steps to bring this vision to life, proving that action and leadership are not waiting for outside direction.

A Vision Already in Motion

This is a living, unfolding reality:

• Land gifted for the school: The community’s Shaman donated land, establishing the foundation for a school rooted in place and cultural responsibility.

• Collective effort: Community members cleared a path from the runway to the school site, creating access entirely by their own labor.

• Classrooms built with care: Three classrooms have already been constructed, demonstrating ingenuity, determination, and shared commitment.

• Students learning at home: This past year, 11 students successfully attended online high school from within the community, staying connected to family, culture, and the forest.

Community-Defined Priorities

The Achuar have clearly articulated their top priority: keeping children home. Home is where children remain connected to family, elders, culture, and land. Education at home is life-centered, grounded in intergenerational knowledge, ecological stewardship, and cultural continuity.

Every step the community takes is guided by this shared commitment, ensuring that children can thrive without leaving the life they know.

Partnership by Invitation

The community recognizes that fully realizing this dream requires trusted outside alliances. Center for Wild Hope was invited into this work to support—not direct—their vision.

Our role is to listen, provide resources, and amplify local leadership. The community knows and trusts that we will:

• Honor Indigenous leadership and decision-making

• Support what is already working

• Offer resources, connections, and advocacy without imposing agendas

• Remain accountable to community-defined goals and values

Indigenous-Led Futures

This school is being built from the inside out, led by those it will serve. Our partnership exists to help ensure the Achuar vision grows, strengthens, and endures. Together, we are protecting more than access to education—we are protecting culture, continuity, and the living heartbeat of the rainforest.

When communities lead, futures take root.