One of the many critical values we can learn from Indigenous peoples is the deep respect for, and care of, our Elders our wisdom keepers. They are the carriers of story, the transmitters of tradition, and the guardians of ancestral knowledge.
In early 2025, we received a powerful request from our trusted partner, Bari Wesna, an Indigenous-led intercultural nonprofit based in the Peruvian Amazon. The initiative? Casa para Sabios y Sabias—a living space for the Elders of the Shipibo-Konibo, Asháninka, and Yine peoples to share their wisdom with the younger generations.
This sacred space is envisioned as a home for ancestral knowledge to flourish, a place where teachings can be passed on through stories, ceremony, art, language, and lived experience. A space where future generations can sit at the feet of their Elders and remember who they are.
This project builds upon our deep partnership with Bari Wesna, which began in 2019. Together, we’ve supported intergenerational knowledge transfer in the Ucayali region, including the development of the Bena Jema Intercultural Community School. Thanks to your past support, we’ve helped bring meaningful improvements to the school, including:
-
A newly equipped computer room
-
A refurbished library
-
Modernized bathrooms
Just last week, Program Director Gilmer Yuimachi Castro shared an update that moved us:
“Today, the children of the Bena Jema Intercultural Community can explore educational programming and digital art with confidence. Thank you for transforming their imagination into tangible opportunities. We are honored to count you in our mission.”
Now, we are being called to support the next phase: the Elders themselves.
“The community is deeply grateful for your past support and prays that you are able to respond to this timely and meaningful request,” Gilmer wrote.
This is our chance to answer that call.
At Tribal Trust Foundation, we believe that preserving Indigenous wisdom is essential—not only for the health and resilience of local communities, but for the future of our shared planet. Casa para Sabios y Sabias is more than a building; it is a sacred vessel for memory, healing, and hope.
We are humbled to stand with Bari Wesna once again—supporting the restoration of intergenerational connection, and helping reweave the sacred threads that bind us all.
Will you help us build the Casa for the Elders?
Your donation directly supports the construction and stewardship of Casa para Sabios y Sabias. Together, we can ensure the wisdom of the Elders lives on.