Mejuruá Project is bringing quality of life to families in the Amazon
The Mejuruá Project is just getting started and has already brought improvements to the quality of life of people living along the Juruá River, in the interior of Amazonas. The community of Riozinho was the first to receive support from the project, gaining access to clean water, electricity, and internet—services that had never reached these families before.
For Jéssica do Nascimento, a resident of Riozinho, the benefits the project has brought to her family and community are clear. “Today, we have documents for our land, water, electricity, and internet, which have made our work as farmers easier and more productive, thanks to the support BR Arbo has provided for me, my family, and all the families of Riozinho.” Riozinho is just the first of 22 communities that will be benefited by the Mejuruá Project.
Access to Energy and Clean Water
Until 2024, families in Riozinho lived without electricity, internet, or clean drinking water. As a result, contamination rates from unsafe water consumption were very high, and preserving food was extremely difficult. But that changed at the end of the year, when solar panels were installed along with water treatment and filtration systems, as well as internet access points. Families in Riozinho were able to purchase refrigerators for the first time.
Digital Inclusion
More than just a gateway to the virtual world, internet access is a vital tool in emergencies. Previously, with no form of communication, when someone was injured, they had to travel two hours by boat to reach the local port before they could even request an ambulance—which often took over an hour to arrive. Today, with internet access, families can immediately contact emergency services, ensuring that an ambulance is already waiting when they reach the port.
In addition to being an emergency tool, the internet will also serve as an educational resource. Families can now seek out learning opportunities and even explore new ways to generate income.
The arrival of solar energy also brought a significant change for many families who had been living without electricity in the 21st century. Homes that were once in darkness now have light. This allows families to preserve food, use appliances, and simply live with greater comfort and safety. At the same time, daily access to clean water reduces the risk of illness. Access to safe drinking water is an essential, fundamental, and universal human right, indispensable for a life with dignity and recognized by the UN as a “condition for the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights.”
