How did the Pataxó Roots of the Future Project come about?

The "Pataxó Roots of the Future Project" was born from a genuine desire to help the people around me. A few years ago, I began to reflect on how I could make a difference in people's lives. During this time, my Portuguese teacher introduced me to the Pataxó culture, an indigenous group with a rich tradition and history. I was deeply fascinated by their way of life, their traditions and the daily life that shapes their existence. This awakened in me an even greater desire to learn more about this culture and, more importantly, to contribute to its preservation and appreciation.

I shared this desire with my teacher, who, to my surprise and delight, not only supported the idea, but also gave me an incredible opportunity: to meet Sairema, the vice-principal of the Pataxó Coroa Vermelha Indigenous School. Through this connection, I was introduced to a new perspective on the life of the Pataxó. Sairema taught me a lot about the true needs of this community and how I could truly contribute to their well-being.

When I finally had the chance to meet them in person, everything made sense. I understood that my purpose was to help as many people as possible, starting with the school. That's how the "Pataxó Roots of the Future Project" took shape, with three fundamental pillars: preserving Pataxó culture and traditions, raising funds for the school, and promoting knowledge about the Pataxó to the world.

This project is more than an initiative, it is a mission that I carry with great pride and dedication, and that was born from the encounter between the desire to help and the reality of a culture that needs to be preserved and valued.

Isabella Matos Macedo,

Founder of "Pataxó Roots of the Future"