Mejuruá Project Brings Digital Inclusion to Communities in Riozinho, in the Amazon
In Brazil, only 22% of the population has access to the internet, according to the study “Meaningful Connectivity: Proposals for Measurement and an Overview of the Population in Brazil” by the Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br). Therefore, initiatives like the Mejuruá Project are essential to reducing digital inequality, as they aim to bring basic infrastructure to communities in the state of Amazonas. Riozinho was the first community to benefit from internet access.
The Northern region of Brazil still faces major challenges in expanding connectivity. For communities like Riozinho, previously completely disconnected, the arrival of the internet means not just a communication channel, but a vital tool for emergencies, education, and economic development.
Residents of Riozinho used to take over two hours by boat to request an ambulance in emergency situations. Today, digital communication allows them to call for health services, significantly reducing response time. In addition, the internet enables access to online courses and new business models, such as the sale of local products through digital platforms.
“With this internet here, we’ve already accomplished many things. People have had accidents here, but now we can call so that the ambulance comes and waits on the runway. And when it comes to saving someone, the faster the help arrives, the better,” says Núbia, a resident of Riozinho.
The United Nations (UN) recognizes internet access as a human right, fundamental for education, access to information, and participation in society. In Brazil, digital inequality remains an obstacle for millions of people, especially in remote regions like the Amazon. The Mejuruá Project emerges as a concrete solution to connect those who have historically been excluded from the digital world.
With the expansion of the project, more families are expected to benefit from connectivity, gaining not only internet access but also new life opportunities.