I CHOOSE ME: Children in the Suriname Amazon - Documentary

Summary

This video highlights the lives of four children from indigenous and maroon villages in the Amazon, illustrating their deep connection with nature and the challenges they face when deciding between life in their villages and the bustling city of Paramaribo. The children—Leon, Anaka, Karissa, and Farley—navigate life shaped by cultural traditions, environmental dangers like mercury pollution, and their personal dreams. Their stories portray a blend of resilience, adaptation, and ambition as they face difficult choices regarding their future while staying true to their roots.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children in the Amazon live closely with nature, learning survival skills like fishing and hunting from an early age.
• 😀 Unlike children in urban areas, Amazonian children do not engage with modern technologies like TV, the internet, or video games.
• 😀 Children in Surama, Amazon, face a difficult decision: whether to stay in the village or move to the capital, Paramaribo.
• 😀 Leaving the village to move to the city at a young age is a tough decision, often requiring children to live in boarding schools away from their families.
• 😀 Leon, a 14-year-old from the village of Pier Condre, is determined to achieve his goals and dreams, even if it means facing tough challenges in the city.
• 😀 Farley Leon is part of a family with deep roots in his village, where his father is the captain responsible for the community's well-being.
• 😀 In villages like New Coffee C, gold mining is a central activity, with men working as small-scale miners to earn a living.
• 😀 Anaka and Karissa, two sisters from the Wana people in Atina, left their village at 12 to live in a boarding school in Paramaribo, where they faced cultural and religious pressure.
• 😀 Farley and his peers in the mining villages face serious health risks, with many having high levels of mercury in their bodies due to pollution from gold mining.
• 😀 The pollution of rivers by mercury, especially in areas where small-scale mining occurs, poses a significant danger to the health and well-being of local communities who rely on the water for daily needs.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the script revolves around the lives of children in the Amazon, focusing on their relationships with nature, their cultural backgrounds, and the difficult decisions they face when choosing between staying in their villages or moving to the city for education and opportunity.

How do children in the Amazon generally spend their time?

Children in the Amazon typically spend their time outdoors, learning essential survival skills like fishing, hunting, and gathering food from the forest. Unlike children in urban settings, they do not engage with TV, the internet, or video games.

What challenges do children face when moving to the city from their village?

Children moving to the city face challenges such as adjusting to different habits and lifestyles, being away from their families, and often living in boarding schools due to the lack of nearby relatives. The transition can be tough, especially in terms of cultural adaptation.

What is the significance of the village of Pier Condre in the script?

Pier Condre is significant as the birthplace of Farley Leon, one of the main subjects in the script. The village was founded by his ancestors, and his father, Romeo Pierre, serves as the village captain, responsible for the community's welfare.

What type of work do most men in the village of New Coffee engage in?

In the village of New Coffee, most men work as small-scale miners, extracting gold. This type of work is challenging and often involves dealing with environmental hazards like mercury pollution.

How does Farley Leon's life in the gold mines reflect his determination?

Farley Leon's life in the gold mines reflects his determination to achieve his goals. Even though he works in difficult conditions and handles hazardous substances like mercury, he is focused on earning money and securing his future, showcasing his commitment to his aspirations.

What are the health risks associated with mercury in the Amazon communities?

Mercury contamination in the Amazon is a significant health risk for the communities, especially those near gold mining operations. The mercury levels in the water and food sources are often above the safety limits set by the World Health Organization, leading to potential poisoning and health complications for the villagers.

What is the role of Anaka and Karissa in the script?

Anaka and Karissa are two sisters from the village of Atina who moved to Paramaribo at a young age. Their story highlights the challenges of living in a boarding school in the city, including the pressure to change their religious faith and adjust to a different cultural environment.

What makes Farley's decision to stay in the gold mine particularly significant?

Farley's decision to remain in the gold mine is significant because it reflects his determination to pursue his goals despite the risks involved. At just 14 years old, he is already working alongside older men, facing the challenges of gold mining and the toxic risks that come with it.

How do the different backgrounds of the children in the video highlight their diverse experiences?

The children in the video come from diverse backgrounds: Farley Leon from a small mining village, Anaka and Karissa from a fishing and hunting community, and the wider contrast between village life and city life. Their experiences reflect the challenges of maintaining cultural identity while facing pressures from modern society, especially when it comes to education, work, and health.