27 February 2025, by Claudia Esveldt
Project Amazon not only has a positive impact on nature and biodiversity, but also has a social dimension. The introduction of the project has created employment opportunities for both the local population and refugees from Venezuela.
The situation in Venezuela is currently very complicated due to a combination of political instability, economic crisis, hyperinflation, food shortages and a lack of basic services. As a result, many people have fled to neighbouring Brazil. Some of them have been working at Courageous Land since the farms in Roraima were established.
We spoke with Luiza Avelar, co-founder and operational manager of Courageous Land, about this situation, how Venezuelans are involved in the work on the farm, and the importance of this social impact.
Hi Luiza, nice to talk to you! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
"I am the co-founder of Courageous Land and the operational manager. My role is to take care of the underlying processes of farm management, develop strategies, make daily decisions, and monitor and analyse KPIs. I spend a lot of my time on the farms, where I work with the team in the field/on the work floor."
You recently talked about the situation of refugees from Venezuela. How inspiring that you offer them a place to work. When did the first refugees start working on the farm?
"When we started working in Roraima, we saw the reality of the Venezuelan refugees up close, with many people in the region looking for a better future. They are courageous people who have been forced to move to another country for a better life. We started hiring local people, including some refugees."
How did this start?
"The first two refugees were already working on one of the farms under the previous owner, but illegally: they did not have a formal contract or the correct registration to stay in Brazil. When we bought the farm, we helped them with the Brazilian registration documents and drew up a legal employment contract. Nowadays, refugees come forward during every new recruitment round and we interview them. We offer them accommodation and food on the farms. Currently, there are 13 refugees working in our team."
What impact do Venezuelans have on operations?
"Venezuelans now represent more than 50% of our team in Roraima. They are highly motivated and share their knowledge and culture, which enriches our journey and helps us build a better world, now and in the future. Two of them are supervisors and help lead the team in the field."
And what impact does Courageous Land have on their lives (and those of their families)?
"Most Venezuelans in our team use their income to support their families in Venezuela. Those who stay in the accommodation on the farm can save most of their salary to support their families and also save some money. A good example of this is Darwin, who paid his daughter's tuition fees for chemical engineering in Venezuela."
How important is the social aspect of the impact you make with your activities?
"We believe it is essential to provide opportunities and create a good workplace in rural areas so that people are encouraged to stay in these regions. When refugees become part of the local community, this need is reinforced, because it is necessary to integrate them and make them feel part of a group."
Project Amazon
