Who are we? The Pastoral Ribeirinha de Coari (Riverbank Pastoral Organization) is a team of six, led by Father Ney Barreto, who work with 205 Riverbank Communities (Ribeirinhos) within a 57,400 square kilometer region of the Amazon.
Who are the Ribeirinhos? The Ribeirinhos are comprised of a mix of races including indigenous peoples of the Amazon region. The communities range in size from 5 to 150 families and are scattered along the banks of multiple rivers and lakes of the Coari region. The Ribeirinhos live a subsistence existence based primarily on the collection of fruits and nuts from the forest, fishing, and the production of manioc (cassava) flour, which is the staple of their diet. They lack the organization and viable technologies necessary to support a sustainable economy. As a result they are continuously being exploited by unscrupulous business interests, multi-national companies, and corrupt politicians. The communities are impoverished and lack potable water, basic sanitation, education, and medical assistance. There is a high incidence of malaria, hepatitis and pneumonia in the region.
How does the team work? The team travels, eats and sleeps on a small boat. They work with the communities to help them form cooperatives and associations. These range from fishing cooperatives to labor unions as well as women’s rights associations. Through group workshops, the team educates the communities as to the importance of preserving their lakes, rivers and forest ecosystems. The team also works with indigenous peoples in reconstructing their identities as well as aiding them in having their land recognized and delineated. The ultimate goal is to continue building an infrastructure to help the Ribeirinhos towards a better way of life in harmony with the precious surrounding environment.
What is the Ribeirinho Project? The purpose of the Ribeirinho Project is to provide funding so that Father Ney and his team will have enough resources not only to continue their work but also to expand their outreach. Currently they are working tirelessly with extremely limited funds and they are in desperate need of assistance. The money raised here will go towards much needed maintenance of the boat, fuel, and some medical supplies that can be used to help the Ribeirinhos. These are immediate necessities and any extra funding will go towards future plans such as: 1) a micro finance programs; 2) anti-malarial mosquito nets; 3) fish farms; 4) fisherman cooperatives; 5) water purification systems; 6) basic sanitation; 7) manioc flour mills; 8) health posts.
Who is Father Ney? Father Ney is my uncle who has devoted his entire life to helping the poor by giving them support on all fronts. He is 64 years old and remarkably continues with his work with tremendous passion. Simply put, he serves as an inspiration to all of us. He welcomes visitors to come and meet the Ribeirinhos and to witness their accomplishments! Updates on the project will be posted periodically.
Thank you for your support,
Bill Moler