This is the first group of students that have been awarded with this scholarship program, an initiative by REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions aimed at forging a better future for families in Madre de Dios.
In a joint effort to promote excellent educational opportunities in the region, positively impacting the quality of life for the project’s partner families in REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions (REDD+ BN), Bosques Amazónicos S.A (BAM), and the National Amazon University of Madre de Dios (UNAMAD) are pleased to announce the first edition of their Brazil Nut University Scholarship Program.
“This is one of the most important moments for our REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project. Providing an opportunity for the children of our partners to improve their quality of life and the future of their families is a remarkable achievement, which we proudly add to other milestones achieved since the project’s inception. It is essential to highlight that this is the first group of scholarship recipients. Therefore, as a team, we hope that the beneficiaries of this edition serve as an example for other children of Brazil nut partners, so they can follow in their footsteps and continue to improve their quality of life and education within the community,” says Jorge Cantuarias, General Manager of Bosques Amazónicos.
Educational Excellence Opportunities
In line with its commitment to sustainability, BAM aligns with SDG 4 – Quality Education, promoting a better future for Brazil nut families and the new generation of professionals from Madre de Dios. The Brazil Nut Scholarship Program, launched thanks to the REDD+ BN project, covers the necessary expenses (academic, food, transportation, materials, among others), paving the way for young Brazil nut people to fully dedicate themselves to their studies.
In this way, the first beneficiaries of the Scholarship Program, Kevin Quispe (forestry engineering), Ruth Taipe (law and political science), and Linda Valencia (specialization in Mathematics), will receive ongoing support to pursue their higher education until the completion of their careers.
Inaugural day of the scholarship program
The inaugural event of the Scholarship Program, held on Friday, September 15th, brought together representatives from BAM, the Federation of Brazil nut Producers of Madre de Dios (FEPROCAMD), and UNAMAD in the respective university’s main auditorium.
During the meeting, the rector of UNAMAD, Rector Hugo Dueñas Linares, pledged his support and follow-up to the scholarship winners, through the faculty and the University Welfare Office. For their part, the BAM team, Jorge Cantuarias, CEO, and Eduardo Galindo, Director in Madre de Dios, highlighted the benefits of the scholarship program and the importance of the Brazil nut farmers’ commitment to the REDD+ project. In the same line, Juan Carlos Grifa, President of FEPROCAMD, emphasized the joint commitment to conservation and education reflected in the design of the scholarship program.
“I appreciate the opportunity these scholarships have given us to continue fulfilling our goals, and I want to thank the REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project and the University for their commitment to young people.” – Ruth Taipe Ccasani, winner of the Brazil Nut Scholarship 2023.
“Winning the scholarship is a great opportunity for me, as I don’t have many options. I am the daughter and granddaughter of REDD+ BN project partners, and I am very excited and proud to have won this scholarship and to continue pursuing my dreams and completing my degree.” – Linda Valencia Reyna, winner of the Brazil Nut Scholarship 2023.
Quality Education for a Sustainable Future
The first edition of the Brazil Nut Scholarship Program supports BAM’s and REDD+ BN’s commitment to building a better future for all. We trust that, rooted in the responsibility of the project’s partners, this initiative will continue to flourish and provide transformative opportunities for future generations, promoting sustainable development for our society in harmony with our environment.
More about BAM
The REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions conservation project developed by BAM in partnership with over 700 Brazil nut families in Madre de Dios aims to protect more than 500,000 hectares of forests and their extraordinary biodiversity.
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BAM, private investment for a sustainable world.
Text and photographs by: Valeria Drinot
