Amazon communities join Brazil’s election with Internet access
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In Sao Sebastiao do Saraca, a village in Brazil’s Amazonas state, residents gained internet access in June through the Réseau connexion des peuples de la forêt, a network of civil society organizations.
This alliance installed a Starlink antenna to connect remote Amazonian communities to broadband. The program now reaches 2,807 villages, including Sao Sebastiao do Saraca, which is two hours by boat from Manaus.
Previously isolated from public debate, people in these communities can now participate in the upcoming October elections for legislative, regional, and presidential offices. The presidential race is close between Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Eighteen-year-old Tiffany Barbosa explained that internet access allows her to gather more information about candidates and their platforms, something she couldn't do before. She previously relied on the opinions of the few candidates who visited the village.
She is currently completing teacher training remotely. The initiative aims to show politicians what is happening in these regions and to help residents make informed decisions during the election.
