Angel teacher from New Jersey invested in children & reaped peace

Amy Coplan, a music teacher and pianist from New Jersey, embarked on a journey that would profoundly impact the lives of six Indigenous children from the Peruvian Amazon.

What began as a passion for the rainforests evolved into a transformative project that not only showcased the children’s lives through photography but also opened doors to education and opportunities previously unimaginable for them.

Coplan, who has long found solace in the remote rainforests of Central and South America, was struck by the realization that the children living in these lush environments might not share her romanticized view of their surroundings.

During a visit to the village of San Martin de Tipishca, she noticed a child sitting on the steps of a schoolhouse, looking despondent. This moment sparked an idea: to provide these children with a way to document their lives and, in turn, offer them a glimpse of the world beyond their village.

In 2006, Coplan returned to the village with six digital cameras, which she distributed to children selected by village elders and teachers.

The children, members of the Cocama Indigenous tribe, were tasked with capturing their daily lives. The resulting photographs, depicting scenes of family, nature, and community, were exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and later at the Jersey City Public Library.

Four of the six teenagers were able to visit the United States for two weeks when the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian selected 60 photos from the project to display for 10 years.

The photographs, far from mere depictions of an exotic lifestyle, revealed a universal humanity.

Images of a child cradling a bird, a grandfather embracing a baby, and children playing in the mud resonated with viewers, highlighting the shared experiences of people across cultures.

However, Coplan’s vision extended beyond the photography project.

Recognizing the challenges of poverty and limited opportunities in the village, she established the nonprofit organization Niños de la Amazonia to support the children’s education.

With funding from the Rainforest Fund and other donors, the organization provided academic support, living expenses, and mentorship, enabling the children to pursue higher education in Iquitos, the nearest city.

The initiative yielded remarkable results. Two of the six children, Jesmarly Frias Rojas and Roy Ever Mendoza Ayambo, graduated from university—a first for their village.

Jesmarly now works in accounting, while Roy has a career in business administration.

Their success has had a ripple effect, improving the economic standing of their families and providing access to healthcare and education for others in the community.

Coplan’s efforts were deeply personal as well. Having experienced the loss of most of her immediate family, she found a sense of purpose and connection through her work with the Cocama children.

“They are like a family to me,” she said.

The Niños de la Amazonia project officially concluded in 2018, having achieved its goals. The photographs remain a testament to the children’s perspectives and resilience, with the Smithsonian exhibit scheduled to run until 2021.

Coplan has since shifted her focus to Niños del Mundo, an initiative aimed at providing educational opportunities for inner-city children in Trenton, New Jersey.

Reflecting on the project’s impact, Coplan expressed gratitude to the Rainforest Fund and other supporters. “Although the non-profit has come to its successful and natural end, the story of the Niños will continue to inspire,” she wrote in a 2018 letter.

Through her dedication, Coplan not only brought the voices of Indigenous children to a global audience but also empowered them to shape their own futures—a legacy that continues to resonate far beyond the rainforest.

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