Text CB1A2-I
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>