Awala-Yalimapo

You must be wondering what Awala-Yalimpo is! In fact, it's the name of two Indian villages which have merged to form one community. It's home to people from the Galibi and the Kali'na tribes and is entirely administrated by them.

The Indians have created the Natural Reserve of the Amana and there is a fantastic Visitors' Center to see. (Click on pictures to enlarge).

 The Visitors' Center endeavors to help tourists understand more about Leatherback turtles and their fragile environment. In fact, the beaches of Awala-Yalimapo are not only the most beautiful in French Guiana but they are also one of the world's largest nesting places for marine turtles-- of which the endangered Leatherback turtle.

Unfortunately, like all places in French Guiana, people come to enjoy the scenery and then leave their trash on the ground, only to be blown away and scattered by the wind. It's sad to see how little some people care about our country, our home, and our future.

When plastic bags float in the ocean, leatherback turtles mistake them for their favorite food: jellyfish. In fact, jellyfish are very grateful for human activity which raises sea temperatures and eliminates their only predators, marine turtles. As leatherback turtles are becoming more and more endangered, jellyfish are proliferating everywhere in the world.

One of the missions of the Visitors' Center is to help children become more aware of the danger of pollution. In turn, they will probably share what they learn with their parents. Here is one school project to turn some dangerous pollution into art. Yet will these initiatives be enough to solve the problem...?