Amazon: Health and Happiness

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. Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
at Tapajós National Forest

PHOTO: © Daniel De Granville, 2007

I spent the past three weeks traveling for Ambiental Expedições with undergraduate students from Austin College (Texas), developing field activities for the “Brazilian Ecosystems” Jan Term, offered as an optional program by this institution. During these days we traveled through three of the country’s major ecosystems: the Amazon, the Cerrado and the Atlantic Rainforest, so that the next posts of FotogramaBits will tell some things about what we experienced. Our first stop was in the Amazon.


“Health is the happiness of the body, happiness is the health of the soul”. This is the motto of “Projeto Saúde e Alegria” (Health and Happiness Project), which since 1987 develops an extraordinary work with the riverine communities of Tapajós River, State of Pará. Currently, the Project supports 143 localities and benefits approximately 29,000 people. As the name suggests, “Health and Happiness” offers free medical assistance and supports community-based sustainable development processes managed by the population, besides ludic and leisure activities with social and environmental approach.

Processing of manioc flour
in the community of Piquiatuba, Tapajós River, Amazon

PHOTO: © Daniel De Granville, 2007

During the seven great days spent with the Project’s team cruising the Tapajós River, we had the chance to experience the daily routines of six communities who develop works integrally aimed at the sustainable use of the forest’s resources – in this case, the Tapajós National Forest.

If I had to express my impressions about Health and Happiness’ work in a single phrase, I’d choose a quote from pop-singer Ben Harper which was written on some of the student’s t-shirts: “I can change the world with my own two hands”. It’s just a matter of will and dedication – just as HHP does in a brilliant way...

Late afternoon at Jaraguari Beach,
Tapajós River, Amazon

PHOTO: © Daniel De Granville, 2007
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