Agathe Neveu, 21, chose Ecuador for the first part of her year abroad as part of her studies at Sciences Po in Rennes. She is interning in a non-governmental organization that supports indigenous populations in the fight against extractivism.
Total change of scenery. More than 9,000 km away, six hours of jet lag. For her internship abroad, Agathe Neveu opted for a change of scenery. This student of Science Po Rennes, 21, is interning at a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Ecuador, Quito, and intervenes with indigenous populations in the Amazon.
"I arrived there at the end of July and I have been working since August 20th. The NGO, the Pachamama foundation, provides support to indigenous populations in the fight against extractivism, such as oil , explains the student. She had her status withdrawn about ten years ago because she disturbed the government. She recovered them in November 2017 with a change of government. "
" Conscious of the importance of preserving their culture "
Ecuador has been a desired destination from the start. South America made her dream and she found the NGO through a Facebook group. "I did not want a big country and industrialized cities. In Quito, the capital (2 million inhabitants) located at an altitude of 2,850 m in the foothills of the Andes, young Bretonne discovers a different way of life and feels good.
Especially since the language has not been a barrier. "I did a Franco-Spanish baccalaureate ," she says. Here, I am also considered to be a volunteer, that is to say that I am free and I have no particular objective to fulfill. It was a little disturbing at first but it allows to take initiatives. "
As assistant to the project coordinator, Agathe Neveu manages social networks, participates in the monitoring of events and has already traveled twice in the Amazon. "In terms of knowledge, it's amazing. From the first contact, one realizes that the Western clichés are false. There are only two communities that are remote and isolated. 98% of people are dressed like everyone else, have a contact with the modern world and are aware of the importance of preserving their culture, knowledge ... I feel them in resistance, in struggle. "
Thirteen indigenous nationalities live in Ecuador, eleven of them in the Amazon. One of the tasks of the Rennes student was to interview the presidents of each nationality. "There is a big difference between those who have access to the road and those, like the Sapara, who are only accessible by plane. They are only 575 in the community whereas they were 200 000 in the early twentieth century. They fish, produce their fruits and their houses are hand-built, with leaf roofs ... "
"The choice of a mixed year abroad"
Territories for which the Breton has had a "heart stroke" . So much so that she imagines working on the subject in the future. Both feet in France? "How to act from here? It is a problem little treated. For the moment, the country does not miss him that much.
She will return for Christmas and then go back to training ... in Norway! "I chose a mixed year abroad. I would also have an internship in Norway in addition to studies , explains Agathe Neveu. There is an indigenous community all the way north of Norway, where they fight to avoid the construction of a railway. I have this idea in mind to get closer to them, to see if I can concretize it. "