Indigenous languages appear to be disappearing at a concerning rate around the world. Current data indicates that at least 43% of the world’s spoken languages are being forgotten, with indigenous languages making a significant part. According to ONIC (National Indigenous Organization of Colombia), there are 65 indigenous languages in the country. Nearly one-third of them are at a critical risk of disappearing — and only three of them, including Nasa Yuwe, are spoken by more than 50,000 people. This is the reality that Juan Pablo Camayo seeks to change.

         Two years ago, in Caldono, Colombia, Juan Pablo and other neighbours started a communications network that enabled them to provide Internet access to remote rural areas and disseminate content in their mother tongue. That’s how Jxa’h Wejxia Casil — “Wind’s Net” in Nasa Yuwe — came to be.

         Currently, Jxa’h Wejxia Casil has about 200 families subscribed to their Internet service and provides a tool that allows communities to preserve the use of their language. With support from other project partners, Juan Pablo leveraged this new communication tool to produce and disseminate original communication materials in Nasa Yuwe.

Internet: <https://unsdg.un.org> (adapted).