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Rio Tapajos, Brazil
Now that the basic ICT and power infrastructure is operational in Suruacá and Maguari, we are now focusing on working with the communities to use the technology to help build the skills and access other resources so they can become more independent. An important element of this effort is promoting the two communities share expereinces with each other, as well as another community called Xixuau, which is located 500 km north of Manaus in the Xixuau-Xiparaná Ecological reserve. For more information about this community, please visit www.amazonia.org.
CEN has applied the methodology described above through a pilot project consisting of three communities in the Brazilian Amazon. In two communities located along the upper Tapajós River, we helped manage the installation of solar-powered, internet-connected telecenters, which was completed by mid-2004. The InfoCentro Comunitário contains information that is closely tailored to the specific health, education, civics and entrepreneurial needs and skills of the communities. The third community, located 500 km north of Manaus along the Roraima state border, already had computers and internet access. We are now working with the three communities to use this infrastructure to become more autonomous. Although autonomy building is an evolutionary process and cannot be completed overnight, we have seen many promising results within a relatively short period of time. For example, one of the communities in the pilot, Suruacá, has made considerable progress on a project to provide adequate electricity throughout the community using a micro-hydroelectric dam. They have driven the process, identified partners, and prepared a project plan with only very modest assistance from us or any other outside organization. We are now working with them to help them secure funding; however they continue to drive the process. In another example, one of the communities in our pilot project, Xixuau, has been quite successful with eco-tourism, while many residents of Suruacá were very anxious to understand how eco-tourism – and the cash it would bring in - might impact their way of life. By discussing these concerns with Xixuau, Suruacá is more firmly united behind eco-tourism efforts. The exchange of Xixuau’s experience is also proving useful in helping Suruacá avoid some of the problems faced by other communities who have pursued eco-tourism. We anticipate that such helpful exchange of ideas will continue through the Rede Amazônia, a network established by rural communities in the Brazilian Amazon. To view the final report to the donar, USAID about this project, please click the link here:

Final Report Rio Tapajos Project

To view the community portal, InfoCentro Comunitário, please click here. You will be asked to register the first time.

InfoCentro Comunitário