Former chief of Saweto community
Ergilia Rengifo López
Ergilia Rengifo López was elected chief of the Alto Tamaya – Saweto community after the murder of her husband Jorge Ríos and the three other leaders of the village in 2014. She is the current member of Saweto village council. She was left a widow and mother to nine children. She cannot remember her age, though her ID card states that she is 42. She says that she lives under the threat posed by the illegal loggers, and that she defends the forest for the benefit of her entire community.
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Member of Saweto village council
Julia Pérez
Julia Pérez became the widow of the murdered leader Edwin Chota in 2014, when she was seven months pregnant. She is a spokesperson for the community and has started a new life with her current partner, without ceasing to struggle bravely for the forests. She states that the community is vulnerable and that she is afraid for her children’s lives.
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Chief of the Saweto community
Karen Shawiri López
Karen Shawiri López is 28 years old and the current chief of the Alto Tamaya – Saweto community, home to 29 families, of which 20 live permanently in the community. The others come and go to other places of work or family commitments. She requests that the government provide greater access to education and support, to help her community to prosper.
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Secretary of the Saweto community
Diana Ríos Rengifo
Diana is the daughter of one of the murdered leaders, Jorge Ríos. She explains that the men of her community avoid taking charge of this struggle to defend the trees, in the face of threats from the illegal loggers surrounding their territory. Diana is the secretary of the Saweto community, and is not afraid to raise her voice on behalf of her people.
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