Grantee Update: Kijemy ūpú Mãguty Cultural Center, Brazil

February 9, 2026

January 30th 2026

One year after completion of the community dry bathroom, the Pataxó village reports significant cultural and community growth. Community members shared that children celebrated the first time water flowed from the shower — a moment symbolizing improved dignity, sanitation, and well-being. As local partners noted, basic sanitation made it possible for broader cultural and community development to flourish.

Since the grant:

• The village has hosted 5+ traditional ceremonies with 80+ participants, primarily Indigenous.
• The family’s music collective has traveled to share their culture in multiple regions of Brazil.
• The site has become an official cultural center recognized by the Brazilian government.
• The community has begun expanding into planting and food-growing activities.

The project continues to support cultural preservation, youth connection to traditional lifeways, and financial stability through cultural tourism. The images below show the progress of this cultural center over time.