BAR
cupulate AMABELA
Selma Ferreira da Costa
REPRESENTATIVE
COMMUNITY
Ass. of rural women workers from belterra - BELTERRA - PARÁ
"We use cupuaçu almonds as conductors of our flavors and knowledge"
LINK WITH THE EARTH
“At the end of 2015 to 2016, in the cupuaçu harvest, we saw that cupuaçu seeds were thrown and removed, from which the pulp is used more, but which is almost all the seed. We thought of taking advantage of it in our own way: we put it in the sun, roasted it, it smelled good, we felt the flavors coming from the seeds and we started to create the knowledge inside these seeds. That's where the cupulate came about. It was very similar to chocolate, and we started making brigadeiros, pies, donuts”.
“One fine day Mr. De Mendes came to visit us with a team of students, and he came across our cupulate. Tasted it, liked it and stayed. He is part of a piece of our history. It strengthens AMABELA, enriches our work and increases women's expectations, showing that cupuaçu almonds have great potential in the market. We are not for profit, we have great difficulties, but we are here. We appreciate De Mendes' open way of working with us”.
RELATIONSHIP WITH MENDES
CONTRIBUTION / TRANSFORMATION
“In 2015, we created AMABELA to fight for agroecology and female empowerment. Discussing feminist agendas, we understand the difficulties of rural working women and show the importance that rural women have within society. The women who pass through AMABELA are strengthened, many have already taken their paths, walked with their own legs and this is very valuable. Our union was a great strength, and that was a lot of contribution from each woman, who decided to accept each other and face the challenge and strengthened each other. So I think the biggest contribution was this strengthening, one believed in the other and together we managed to transform many things, transform many lives".
"We fight a lot for native seeds, without pesticides, 100% natural. But talking about it is very difficult because we live in a country where big business is invading our history. We had a lot of difficulty finding native seeds and we saw also that are in extinction, those seeds that germinate life”.
CONCERN/THREAT
dream/future
"The biggest dream is that women from family farming can, in 4 or 5 years, be covered in a very direct way by the disposal of their products. Because if we can plant, produce and sell the product, we will also be able to see in our land, in our territory, a more dignified life and a happier future. I hope that AMABELA manages to grow, evolve, that women have more training, qualification, and, with that, a better quality of life"