This house belonged to an uncontacted Ayoreo family. It was discovered as it lay right in the path of a bulldozer clearing their forest for cattle ranching. The next day the bulldozer returned and flattened the house. The Ayoreo's fate is unknown. © Survival

“Our families are still there, in the forest, and we’re still struggling for our land. Survival fights with us. We need your support.” — Porai Picanerai, Ayoreo-Totobiegosode leader, Paraguay

Dear Jack, 
 
It’s one week until Giving Tuesday and today you can double your donation at no cost to you. Please support Indigenous peoples in the fight for their lives and lands – like the uncontacted Ayoreo in Paraguay, whose territory is being invaded by ranchers. You can read the story of Joro and her Ayoreo community at the end of this email.

This year, Survival is aiming to raise £160,000 / $200,000 for our crucial campaign work and, as always, it is the generosity of dedicated supporters like you that will help us reach our goal. 

Two kind donors have offered a helping hand: they will match every donation you make, up to the value of £80,000 / $100,000. This means that your contribution will go twice as far in our fight for the rights of Indigenous peoples all over the world.

To ensure our independence and integrity, Survival rejects funding from governments and anyone who might be violating the rights we fight to protect. Without your support, we could not do what we do. Thank you for joining us in our fight alongside Indigenous and tribal peoples

Yours,

Caroline Pearce
Director
Survival International

P.S. If you haven't read our email about Joro and her Ayoreo family, see it below.

Joro and her partner Chicode. © Survival

Joro sits by the fire in her small Ayoreo community in central Paraguay, her hands pushed into the pockets of her yellow fleece. The cold has set in, and all around she can hear her friends and family coughing. Her partner, Chicode, is sitting beside her. Ravaged by disease, his joints are swollen and painful. Joro tells us, “he’s weak now and can no longer go out to hunt and bring back food for our children.” He’s around 39 years old.

It hasn’t always been this way; and it doesn’t need to be. Survival is fighting alongside the Ayoreo for their land, rights and survival.

As a child, Joro — a member of a then-uncontacted group of Ayoreo people — lived a healthier life in the forest. But in 2004, she fled her forest home with some of her family, forced to leave her mother and brother behind.

For years the group had been living on the run, terrified of the outsiders who were clearing their land for cattle ranching — and when the bulldozers razed their homes to the ground, many saw no choice but to leave the forest, and soon came into contact with people outside their community.

Since contact, around one-fifth of those who left the forest with Joro have died. Those who survived suffer from chronic ill-health. The community fears for its very survival.

“My mother and brother are still in the forest. I’d love to see them again, but I don’t want them to live how I do now.” — Joro, Ayoreo-Totobiegosode woman, Paraguay

Joro’s story is far from unique. Uncontacted and recently contacted peoples all over the world are facing forced contact and genocide as we speak.

But where their lands are protected and their rights recognised, they thrive.

This November 28th is Giving Tuesday, a day that demonstrates the power we each have to make a difference. Support Indigenous peoples in their fight to protect their forests and homes today. 

This month, two generous donors will match all donations up to £80,000 / $100,000, doubling the value of your donation at no extra cost to you.

Our goal is to raise £160,000 / $200,000 for our crucial campaign work. Jack, will you stand with the Ayoreo this Giving Tuesday?

Many thanks,

Caroline Pearce
Director
Survival International