Our Peru Coordinator, Daniela Velit, recently visited the field in Satipo, connecting with RFUK partners CARE and Kemito Ene.

The trip began with the II Asháninka Women’s Congress in Pamakiari. Organised by CARE with RFUK’s support, the Congress created a unique space for reflection, exchange and advocacy. Women discussed what it means to be Asháninka today, received training to amplify their demands to public authorities and renewed their commitment to the gender agenda. The Ama Ene group, who are the Asháninka women leaders who carry this work year-round, grew from 15 to 20 members, a milestone in amplifying women’s voices in community decision-making. Here, the voices of Asháninka women in political dialogue came to life.

The visit then shifted focus to cocoa and community economies. Travelling with Kemito Ene, the Asháninka-run cooperative, meant witnessing the cocoa value chain firsthand: unloading heavy sacks from boats, transporting them to community warehouses, and finally visiting the processing plant in Satipo where beans are transformed into chocolate, paste and butter for export.

Visits to communities such as Pamoreni and Saniveni highlighted the long-term impact of RFUK-supported agroforestry systems, where timber and fruit trees planted nearly a decade ago now form the backbone of sustainable cocoa plots.

This journey underscored two truths - that investing in women’s leadership strengthens communities and that sustainable cocoa production offers lasting livelihoods tied to forest protection. RFUK remains committed to supporting both, therefore helping communities chart their own path towards resilience, equality and prosperity.