Meliza: The children learn at home. Home is where they learn the language, medicine, our worldview, about the moon, the sun, the wind, fire. They learn about the uses of edible plants and how to hunt animals in the jungle. That's where we drink our guayusa (gwai-yoo-sah), a repellent that protects us. Today we use repellent to keep the mosquitoes from biting us, but we've been drinking guayusa since we were very young. It has many uses. Guayusa helps with energy, it helps us be very strong in the jungle, to be firm in our resolve. Guayusa allows us not to be afraid, and instead to face reality, face fear, and keep going.
Nora: The children I am writing for are different from the children who live here. Do you have any advice for them?
Meliza: Learn your land. Learn about the plants and animals. Learn about what the earth has given you, the natural gifts all around, and learn how to protect those gifts. You are the future.
