To many of us Westerners, the thought of living in the Brazilian
Amazon Rainforest sounds out of this world. Not to mention thinking
about raising children there makes me more than a little nervous.
Believe it or not, there are still tribes living and raising families
there, including the
Kayapo, and PURE
Energies will be living with them for two weeks to learn what it
truly means to be sustainable and independent ? and they?ll be
bringing
them solar lights, too.
The
Kayapo are a kind people trying to protect their area
of rainforest, which is about the size of the state of Virginia, from
miners, loggers, and ranchers. Although they?ve had contact with
outside world since the 1960’s, they choose to live a simple life
with no electricity, vehicles, or modern ?necessities.? While it
may seem foreign to you and I to live that way, there is beauty in
how they live. They live to help each other by caring for those in
their family as well at their entire tribe. Their kindness and love
is passed down to their children as well as they learn from their
parents and elders how to truly live a rich life.
I often wish I could raise my son in a more modest way with less
stuff, less wants, and more helping of others and with that I?ve
found three simple ways that can help me to raise my child the Amazon
way.
– Set a good moral foundation.
This can vary quite a bit by family, but there are many ways to
teach good morals. While this can involve some religious teachings,
it doesn?t have to. Simple things like finishing your work,
following through on projects, and always following your word lay a
good moral groundwork for children. Children learn by example and
often will internalize things they see their parents doing.
– Teach them to be philanthropic.
Show them how easy and satisfying it is to help others. Take your
kids to volunteer with a local organization and make it an activity
for the whole family. Even smaller children can experience the joy in
serving others. Explain to them what others don?t have and see how
excited they are to share what they do have. Children’s hearts are
so pure and full of love that we must nurture that goodness and set a
good example to keep them wanting to help as they grow older and into
adulthood.
– Minimize the technology
We live in such a technological time that it’s hard to keep it
away from our children. While watching television and playing video
games are fun, they detract from our children using their
imagination. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells just in our
own backyard. Allowing children to get out and explore the world
around them allows them to learn and explore.
Following in the footsteps of people living in the Amazon while
raising our families may seem difficult in this modern world, but as
we can learn from the Kayapo, there is so much more in less. Our
children are our future and by teaching them to help and serve others
while enjoying and preserving nature, we will ensure they make the
future a bright one.
The PURE Energies team will be spending time in one of the most
beautiful places of the earth. I encourage you to follow
their journey as they discover courage, independence and freedom
through the Kayapo people ? seems like we could all learn
a little something from them.
