This year, a delegation from CPL Aromas and CAFOD visited the Wiwa and Kankuamo communities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, regarded by the Indigenous peoples as the “Heart of the World”. These communities and their rich cultural heritage are under threat – at risk of physical and cultural extermination - from Colombia’s internal armed conflict and the growing impacts of the climate crisis.
With support from CPL Aromas and CAFOD, through our partner CINEP, the communities’ risks have been reduced by strengthening their youth, communications, and women’s commissions. These groups play a crucial role in safeguarding their culture and protecting young people from forced recruitment.
During the delegation, we had the privilege of witnessing the graduation of 16 young people—eight women and eight men—trained in audiovisual production, photography, and radio, producing high-quality communication materials. They are now using these skills to preserve ancestral knowledge and monitor their territories using drones, ensuring their stories are told in their own voices.
The project also supports Indigenous women facing gender-based violence, offering them protection, empowerment, and supporting their efforts to seek justice.
— Ulrike Beck, Programme Officer Colombia
From collaboration to action: our journey with CPL Aromas
Our recent trip to Colombia with CPL Aromas was not only an inspiring opportunity to see the CPL Aromas-funded work of CAFOD’s partner CINEP in action, but also a testament to our long-standing corporate partnership. During the visit, CPL Aromas staff led a valuable perfumery and soap-making workshop for Kankuamo Indigenous women.
The Kankuamo Women’s Commission runs a shop selling handicrafts made by local women, using the profits to fund their vital work raising awareness and supporting survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. This workshop was plan to an initial step to equip these women with new skills to expand their product range, grow their businesses, and strengthen the impact of the Commission.
This moment captured the essence of our partnership: CPL Aromas doesn’t just fund CAFOD’s work, they actively collaborate with us, bringing creativity and compassion to the forefront. Together, we’re not only achieving shared goals but truly transforming lives.
— William Cruddace, Corporate Partnerships Manager
Protecting the heart of the world: a journey with the Wiwa and Kankuamo communities
We spent four unforgettable days following the path set by CINEP and CAFOD through the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
We visited the Wiwa and Kankuamo communities, who share a mission as powerful as it is inspiring: to protect the Heart of the World. They welcomed us with traditional ceremonies full of meaning, and we had the honour of sharing with their Mamos and Sagas (elder spiritual leaders) and local leaders, guardians of ancestral wisdom that deeply moved us.
The Indigenous communities consider the Sierra Nevada the “Heart of the World”, a sacred region of immense natural wealth and unique biodiversity, which is constantly under threat from armed groups and mining, as well as climate change. Its conservation is vital and requires our collective commitment.
During our visit, we learned firsthand about the project supported by CPL, including the work of the Wiwa Youth Commission, the Communications program, and the tireless efforts of the Kankuamo Women’s Commission.
In the Wiwa community, CPL supported a Communications program that allowed Indigenous youth, many of whom lack access to primary, secondary, or higher education, to gain technical skills to preserve their culture and memory. We were moved by the videos created by these young people, who proudly shared their customs and invited us to celebrate the beauty of their culture. They learned to operate drones, cameras, and mobile devices, producing content they now share with the world across various platforms.
Thanks to this initiative, 180 young people from 24 communities also had the opportunity to come together and reflect on their role in society and their vision for a different future. Traditionally, they experience a rapid transition from childhood to adulthood, often marrying at 13 and assuming major responsibilities at an early age.
We witnessed the art, and traditions present in every corner of the Wiwa village. As they held their assemblies, men and women wore hats and mochilas (traditional bags), intertwining threads and words, tradition and future.
In the Kankuamo community, we shared deeply meaningful moments with the Women’s Commission. They told us about the challenges they face, but also about their collective strength and their ability to build hope through everyday actions.
Thanks to CPL’s support, their work to promote the right to a life free of violence was strengthened. An observatory was also established to document cases of violence against women and children and develop pathways to access justice.
The programs supported by CPL have been key to their empowerment. Today, many women hold leadership and decision-making roles within their communities, driving change from within. Through ASOARKA, the Kankuamo women’s artisan association, they promote fair and equitable trade of their creations, bringing their art beyond their territory.
With support from CPL, they also participated in one workshop learning how to make handcrafted soaps, an initiative we hope will plant the seeds for new entrepreneurial projects that strengthen their economic and creative autonomy.
We are deeply grateful, with hearts full of learning and the inspiration to continue contributing to the protection of the Heart of the World.
Thank you to CPL Aromas for being part of this journey and thank you to the Wiwa and Kankuamo communities for opening their world to us with generosity and wisdom.
— Dealy Caicedo, Marketing Manager at CPL Aromas
Celebrating 25 years of partnership
If you’d like to learn more about CPL Aromas and our 25-year partnership, please read our blog or contact CAFOD's Corporate Partnerships team. Together, we continue to build hope, dignity and opportunity for communities around the world.