The Kogi tribe of Columbia made two documentaries in 1990 and 2012, warning us that the Earth was dying. Still incredibly concerned they are calling the four tribes of Columbia the Arhuaco, Kogi, Wiwa and Kankuamo together to discuss what we do now. I have been given the opportunity, if I can get myself there, to receive these messages in order to bring them back to the UK. Their home, due to the variation in the geographical elevation, has almost all the climatic zones that can occur in tropical America, which is conducive to a wide range of biodiversity from the sea below to the snow peaks above. They see the effects of our actions way before we do and believe that the solution lies inside us all. This is such a rare chance to experience some of the oldest traditions from the heart of the world. After watching myself and my generation suffer through divorce, death, unaffordable housing and continuing race and sex wars, I realised the only way to save ourselves and create a better future for our children is to rediscover our nature, to re balance ourselves and the world by acknowledging the inequalities and do our best to fight for a common goal, a sustainable environment, to live in and cultivate within.

The Project takes place over a week from the 11th - 15th of September 2018 in The Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.For these four indigenous peoples, the Sierra Nevada is where the wealth and sustenance of the spirit can be found; it’s the temple of the spirit and the soul. There are sites in the Sierra, which are energetically linked with other places in the world. These connections are essential in the keeping of the balance of our planet and the universe.Whenever there is disharmony in the Sierra Nevada, it’s because in other parts of the world the sacred sites are not being taken care of. For this reason it’s very important for the Mamos to keep the balance in other places of our planet.

I am an actress, poet and singer mixed from an East London Father and a Indo-Guyanese Mother, I have been appalled by the effects of fossil fuels , plastic, meat production, deforest station and many more inflictions imposed on our world not to mention the pollutions of society. I have tried many solutions, using all natural cosmetics and cleaning products, no packaging or plastic months, upcycling, reusable stainless steel bottles, lunch boxes and straws, veganism and although I hoped this individual effort would inspire others which it has, it has drawn me away from the bigger picture of the effect that we can have together. I will document the whole Columbia summit and upon returning home I will work with writers and musicians in a series of workshops, transferring the tribes message into poetry and song which can be accessible to the nation. I will use all the footage taken to create video's for each track and this will also be available as educational material. I have recently been inspired by David Axelrods Album 'Earth Rot' which I recently sang with the chior HaHa Sound Collective, it was written in the 70's but is still so relevant today. I believe I can create something with the same heart and an even stronger message for the world today.

My goal is to increase our collective consciousness, reduce anxiety and depression by bringing us all together and be a mouth piece for the four tribes of Columbia. When the path is clear I believe you must walk it confidently and I appreciate any help you can give my footsteps.

Here is a breakdown of the costs I need to execute this:

The project - The money collected will be used to cover the costs of the organization of the event, locative adjustments, logistics and the high costs of transporting and feeding about 200 indigenous people from the Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo. The remaining money will be delivered directly to the corresponding spiritual and traditional authorities, in order to support the processes of traditional education of children, which guarantee the cultural and spiritual permanence of these ancestral peoples.-£1500

Hiring a C100 for filming - £476 or a second hand buy

Sony Sound Recorder - £200

Other than that it's me, my bag and tent and my open heart from which I will listen.

Thank you

Sarah Impey