Some 25 years ago the Yawanawa were on the verge of extinction with less than 400 people on 12,000 ha of rainforest land. After Tashka and Laura Yawanawa assumed leadership, changes began to occur. They are now almost 2000 people on 220,000 ha of land (98% intact rainforest) in 17 villages (aldeia). They are the only Amazon tribe to have a “Life Plan” to honour and preserve their identity while charting a sustaiunable course  towards the future. All the villages have internet, healthcare, and education. They know that their land protects their culture, yet they are very clear that they protect their rainforest for the world, not just themselves.