Las Marias - 1182537

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Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves

Las Marias is a UK-based charity (Reg. No. 1182537) set up to bring a positive change to some of the poorest and remotest tribes in Chaco and Formosa, province of northern Argentina. These tribes have traditionally lived from hunting, fishing and basic agriculture. Since the beginning of the 20th century, significant portions of their traditional land have been taken over by outsiders, and what was once a grassland became desertified by deforestation, introduction of cattle and, more recently, by the introduction of alien crops (soybean). A study made in 1998 by a graduate student from Clark University, Worcester, MA based on satellite photo surveys showed that between 1984 and 1996 20% of the forest has been lost.

El Chaco, where these tribes live in large number, is the largest subtropical dry broadleaf forest of the earth. The forest is being cut down six times faster than the Amazon jungle. The greatest profiteers are logging companies. Additionally, soy cultivation has accelerated deforestation. Currently, the Wichí and other indigenous groups are not only in danger of losing their land and livelihood to agro-businesses, but also threatened by the severe weather conditions (due to deforestation) submerges the area in floods every year. They are foced to relocate to highlands every year because of the flooding. The indigenous communities also suffer under the intense use of fertilizers and pesticides, that poisons the water they depend on.

Our purpose is to help the tribes through these difficult times. We have designed programs to help feed, educate underprivileged children in the area, and enable the community to work towards building a sustainable and self-sufficient future.

My name is Leo Mancini. I have been living and working in the UK for the last 18 years. Last 2018, when I returned home to visit my family, I met Mariel Blanco, who also shared my passion to support the development of underprivileged people in Argentina. She later co-founded the charity with me along with our third trustee, Beryl Pearce-Carr.

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