AMERICA/BRAZIL - Alcoholism and lack of unity, serious threats to the indigenous communities

São Gabriel da Cachoeira (Agenzia Fides) - Marcina Alemão Pereira is a 21-year-old indigenous girl who lives in a community in the municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, on the banks of the Rio Negro, called Tabocal dos Pereira. Speaking with Agenzia Fides on how her community lives, she explains that every day is determined by work. She recognizes that she likes living in the community, although she does not exclude the possibility of going elsewhere. Something that is increasingly present in the subconscious of the indigenous peoples is the Western way of life, despite the poor contacts they have with it. Among the difficulties of living in an indigenous community, Marcina emphasizes to Fides: "the lack of paid work, the things that one does not have and also that it is very difficult to study".
In fact, her future plans include the desire to study. The young of the Baré people finished middle school last year and now wants to study at the so-called indigenous faculty: "my dream is to be someone who can help the community, as a health worker". One of the great problems present in the indigenous communities, also among young people, is that of alcoholism, also recognized by the young: "alcoholic beverages are a serious problem, people drink a lot, and they also smoke cigars". In this sense, Marcina Pereira, explains that this behavior "causes many problems during patronal feasts, because friends quarrel with each other and stop talking to each other".
According to Marcina "the lack of harmony within the community has created malaise and obstacles, even within the Church itself". To find a solution, "the community must meet and talk about how to live together, with each other, not quarreling, but working together, talking". "The Church must help young people to be united" the young woman tells Fides, for her it is important to help communities and young people to be more and more united. (LMM) (Agenzia Fides, 30/05/2018)

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