In Kuyuntsa, the groups are called:
- Tsa, which means “Sun”
- Arutam Uchiri, which means “Children of God”
- Kekatan Manitniuri, meaning “Warrior of Knowledge”
- Los Reyes de la Innovación (“The Kings of Innovation”)
In total, more than 200 young people from the local indigenous communities are part of this program. By participating in the Salesian oratory in the Achuar style, they commit to taking part in various training courses, including:
Integration Workshop:
Designed to encourage socialization among young people whose mother tongue is Achuar, and who are gradually introduced to Spanish as a second language in their learning process. During the workshop, educators help students overcome their initial shyness. To this end, various group activities are proposed to promote communication, trust, and friendship.
Work Education Workshop:
These activities help participants develop practical skills and provide useful knowledge for local contexts, particularly in agriculture and artisanal bread-making. This workshop aims to motivate young people to reflect on sustainable ways of generating income for their families, while also strengthening their autonomy, creativity, and sense of responsibility towards their community.
Personal Development Workshop:
Through these programs, Achuar youth build self-esteem and improve their communication skills through exercises that help them develop public speaking and body expression. This activity was designed by Salesian educators to empower confident young Achuar individuals with a strong sense of identity and the ability to interact healthily with their environment.
Cultural Promotion Workshop:
A program aimed at highlighting and celebrating the richness of Achuar culture, strengthening the youth's sense of identity, and valuing it in every possible way. Activities include storytelling of ancestral myths, practicing traditional dances, and crafting local artisanal objects.
Through these and many other initiatives, the Sons of Don Bosco and their lay collaborators continue to carry forward the charism of their founder in the education, evangelization, and social promotion of the most vulnerable and marginalized youth, such as the indigenous Achuar.
Fr. Rogger Valdivia, SDB
