Italy, IP.– The Paraguayan Indigenous Institute (INDI) allocated a total of 177,651,651,000 guaraníes in favor of 290 families from 13 indigenous communities living in eight districts of the Mbya Guarani People of Itapúa, who had managed the resources to finance food strengthening projects and nutrition of their communities. The beneficiaries are the Association of Indigenous Communities of Itapúa (ACIDI) and the Mba’epu Porâ Association.
The president of INDI, Lic. Jorge Servín, mentioned at the resource transfer ceremony held in the Itapúa Governorate that this is a program that seeks to “root the population, to live better, in their communities, with quality of life, with food assured and produced with their own efforts.”
He recognized that there are many needs in indigenous communities, but that in this way, with this type of ventures and working together, indigenous institutions and organizations, the foundation is being built so that indigenous communities can enjoy the services of the State.
He insisted that the basis is understanding what indigenous people want in their communities. “We must not continue trying to make them not understand or act only from our non-indigenous vision.
We have to dialogue, we have to articulate efforts, both between public institutions and indigenous organizations. We are implementing these projects within the framework of respect for their cultures. And the cultural difference is not and should not be a problem, it is an advantage, it is a strength. By acting like this, everything will be achieved better,” he said.
Through this type of projects, which are also being carried out in other areas of the country, the indigenous people receive support from seeds, tools and other elements that they require for the community, in addition to some experiences in raising cattle and other types of domestic animals.
For this particular case, in Itapúa, the local government began a participatory planning process with the indigenous communities through meetings where the specific needs of the indigenous people have been collected.
Alberto Vásquez, Secretary General of ACIDI, also pointed out the importance of these projects supported by the INDI, the Government and other entities since, as he said, they “demonstrate that the implementation of the public policy to support indigenous people is complying.” He highlighted that the inter-institutional work being done is giving good results and pointed out the need to add other actions that complement these efforts, such as training indigenous health promoters to improve knowledge and support these projects that focus on food.
Vázquez said that there are communities that require food for consumption; Others need seeds, seeds and yerba mate plants, or elements to dedicate themselves to beekeeping, as well as communities that are going to dedicate themselves purely to beekeeping for consumption and marketing and therefore highlighted the importance of analyzing the particular needs of each one.
Leader Mbya also reflected on what the implementation of these projects means in the medium and long term, pointing out that “this is starting work that can even confront abuses against indigenous communities by third parties who rent indigenous lands.
“It’s a good idea. We will do everything possible to make good use of all this. We will also have assistance from the technicians. We are going to supervise with the leaders of each community,” said Vázquez.
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