People

Agustin Allpa Grefa was born in the Amazon rainforest. He has four brothers and five sisters. He comes from the Kichwa people, from the White River (Yurak Yaku) community of about 250 members. Since childhood, his parents and grandparents taught him that understanding and respecting nature, the universe and the energy that flows through it, as well as listening to one's heart and inner guidance, help one discover and serve those who need help.

Today, as he watches the changes civilisation brings to his home, the rainforest, he tries to find a balance between the progress of civilisation and the protection of nature. In this way he wants to show people that if we join forces, it can be achieved.

Míša is Agustin's wife. She studied physiotherapy, completed a three-year shiatsu course and studied Chinese medicine with a focus on herbs, combining her knowledge with that of her husband. Nature, especially plants, has always fascinated her. Since childhood she has longed for harmony in the world. Her philosophy of life is: “If I am a good person, I can give my family a good foundation. The more families live a fulfilling life, the closer I can come to fulfilling my lifelong vision. I want to live with respect for our living Mother Earth, in a world where people and other beings help each other in understanding and love. Life is full of trials, so I try to find balance and lend nature at least a little helping hand by supporting the rainforest.”

Štěpán met Agustin and Míša at ceremonies in Ecuador. He felt the need to help and decided to join the shared effort. He greatly values the opportunity to contribute and is immensely grateful to be part of this mission.

stepaholub@gmail.com

It has been almost 10 years since Katka first heard Agustin speak, and his words immediately touched her heart. At that time she also experienced her first tobacco ceremony, which cleansed not only her eyes and mind but also her heart. She is grateful for the healing power of plants and for the teachings and traditions of Agustin's ancestors. She would like to give at least some of this gratitude back to the rainforest by helping Život Postaru.

katka@cabalova.com

For as long as Zuzka can remember, she has been drawn to the jungle. The sight of a centuries-old tree falling at the hands of miners touches her deeply. She has never understood how we humans are capable of this and allow it to happen. That is why she joined Život Postaru: if she has the chance to do something about it, she does. She is also drawn to the wisdom of the rainforest, its energy and its biodiversity, and she sees the connection between protecting the rainforest and science.

Jezecek.zuza@seznam.cz

Jakub is driven by what he has seen and felt in the Amazon himself. He wishes for its beauty to be preserved and to outlast our times – for our generation and those to come. His first voyage on the Amazon left such a strong impression on him that he started looking for a way to do something to protect it. He is grateful that Život Postaru has made this possible.

jakub.sima@proton.me

Simona has always loved nature, and after her first visit to the Amazon rainforest she fully felt how important and irreplaceable this ecosystem is. She believes that even a small piece of preserved rainforest has enormous power to inspire people to protect what is truly precious. Agustin's family has grown close to her heart, and it is a great joy for her to be able to work with them.

simona.vesci@gmail.com