The Wayúu or Guajiro lack the most basic necessities of life such as food and water. This shortage of fundamental resources has created a very grave situation for this population. Among the many problems the Guajiros face in Mara is the childhood mortality rate. It is estimated that each month, on average, 40 children between the ages of 0 to 6 die from malnutrition— more than one child a day.

Although the colonization period had terrible consequences for the native inhabitants of the Americas, there still exist numerous groups of native Indians in the American Continent. Historically, Latin American indigenous people have been the most excluded and poorest sector of societies, the last in line to receive social benefits.

• UNICEF classifies the Guajira region as the second poorest in the continent.
• The lack of water impedes the development of agriculture.
• There is no permanent access to potable water.
• Children are the worst victims, with as many as 10,000 affected with stomach diseases in one year.
• Health centers and hospitals lack the supplies necessary in order to treat diseases and other health afflictions.
• Educational facilities cannot and do not function due to a lack of equipment and infrastructure.

More than 50 years ago the Maracaibo Lake was dredged in order to allow for the oil tankers to navigate. This process had a terrible ecological impact on the Guajira territory, turning it into a desert-like area with few rivers and scarce rain periods.

As a consequence of this, the living conditions of the Wayúu people deteriorated. It became more difficult to cultivate the land, raise cattle and even get the necessary water for basic chores such as cooking and cleaning.

Moreover, due to the lack of water, the Wayúus continuously experience serious health problems. They have no other choice than to drink polluted water. As a result ,they suffer a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses.

Children are especially affected. Along with malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems are one of the main causes of death among the Wayúu population.

Lack of water also makes it impossible to use the land for agricultural purposes, therefore, food cannot be produced. Therefore, economical development is unsustainable among the Wayúus.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Wayú Tayá means "I am indigenous" in the Wayu naiki language.

• There are approximately 39 indigenous groups in Venezuela; the Wayúu is the largest of them.

• Two to three Wayúu children die each day from malnutrition.