Kids Survive in the Amazon: the Incredible Survival Story in the Colombian Amazon jungle. How did they do it?

In a gripping tale of courage and resilience, four indigenous children as young as 11 months old, defied the odds and survived a deadly plane crash in the heart of the Colombian Amazon jungle. For 40 long days, these young survivors endured unimaginable challenges, demonstrating the profound strength of the human spirit. Their ordeal tested the limits of their endurance but also illuminated the limitless power of their inherited survival skills and unbeatable will to live.

The Tragic Plane Crash

Aboard the Cessna 206 aircraft, the children and three adults, including their mother, embarked on a journey from Araracuara to San José del Guaviare to meet their father. But halfway to their destination, a mayday alert was issued due to engine failure. The plane was ditched into the dense jungle. Remarkably, the children suffered no injuries from the plane crash, which is thought due to sitting at the back of the plane and avoiding the worst of the impact. It is thought the 11-month-old was cradled and protected in their mother’s arms.

A Beacon of Hope: The Search Operation

After the plane crash, a significant rescue operation, ‘Operation Hope’, ensued, spearheaded by the Colombian Defence Ministry, supported Armed Forces, and not to mention a Belgian Shepherd rescue dog named Wilson (which we particularly liked for Desert Survival Island reference). Many indigenous communities joined the search for the children. Messages in the Huitoto language from the children’s grandmother telling, them to stay put, were broadcasted on speakers.

While rescuers recovered the bodies of three adults at the crash site two weeks after the plane crash, the four children – Lesly, 13, Soleiny, 9, Tien Noriel, 4, and Cristin Neryman, an 11-month-old baby boy – were not found. The rescue team discovered items left behind by the four children including a child’s drinking bottle, a pair of scissors, a hair tie and a makeshift lean-to shelter, which gave hope that the kids had escaped the wreckage and ventured into the dense jungle in search of aid.

After 40 gruelling days and arduous efforts, the children were located in a remote part of the jungle. Though weak and suffering dehydration they were in impressive physical shape all things considered.

Following their rescue, the children were promptly transported to a military hospital to receive medical attention. Thanks to an exhaustive 40-day search and the tireless efforts of the Colombian soldiers and the invaluable assistance of indigenous volunteers, the four children were safely reunited with their family. An air force video captured the heartwarming scenes of family members rejoicing upon hearing the news of the four missing children being found alive.

How plant medicine played its part in the children’s rescue

One fascinating side to this tale which has been largely omitted by mainstream media is that the indigenous team who found the children alive had partaken in a ritual with yagé (ayahuasca), a traditional psychotropic jungle medicine.

The leading representative of the indigenous search party recounted how he becomes a doctor, a panther, a tiger, a puma. He sees beyond because it’s holistic medicine. He had the capacity to look with more intuition than you or I could ever hope.

How did the children survive?

The Huitoto Tribe and the Children’s Heritage

The most critical point to understand is that the four survivors belonged to the Huitoto tribe, an indigenous community situated near the Cahuinarí River in Caquetá. This tribe has a profound understanding of the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest complex ecosystem, having thrived in the region for centuries.

Some, like Alex Ruffino, a photographer, believe that the “children were not lost in the wild, but in their natural environment. In many ways, they were at home. The forest took care of them, and they had the genuine wisdom of the tribal community who lived with nature for centuries.”

The extensive array of survival skills exhibited by the children were acquired through their daily lives, some practised and some observed by their elders. These skills were passed down to them by their families and tribe, encompassing vital knowledge that aided them. Let’s be honest, it is not commonplace for the average child in mainstream society to possess the ability to identify edible fruits and seeds in a wilderness setting. For most children and adults for that matter, their hopes of survival would have been slim to none.

A Glimpse into the Children’s Survival Tactics

The children encountered numerous challenges in the dense rainforest. From venomous snakes and insect bites to unpredictable weather conditions and treacherous terrain, they had to navigate a variety of hazards.

Drawing upon what they have learned from their family and the wisdom of their ancestors, the children exhibited impressive survival skills. They demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, utilized the resources provided by the Amazon jungle, relying on their knowledge of edible plants, building shelters, improvised traps and finding clean water sources. Their ability to adapt to the challenges of the hostile jungle also showcased their unwavering spirit. They skilfully

The children’s grandmother, Fatima Valencia, said after their rescue: “I am very grateful, and to mother earth as well, that they were set free”.

Their grandmother expressed immense gratitude, particularly for the older sibling’s leadership, who had often cared for the younger ones during their mother’s absence. Their primary sustenance, cassava bread and flour, showcased their knowledge of local foods, contributing significantly to their survival.

Cassava flour is a staple food in Amazonian villages. This nutritious and versatile ingredient provided sustenance during their days in the remote wilderness. They learned how to harvest and process cassava, transforming it into nourishing meals.

Resourcefulness and Adaptability:

The survival of the four kids in the Colombian Amazon can be attributed to their exceptional resourcefulness and adaptability. Stranded in a remote and unforgiving environment, they quickly assessed their situation and ingeniously utilized the available resources to meet their basic needs. Their ability to adapt to the demands of the Amazon, so many hazards including navigating treacherous terrain and sourcing food and water, showcases their remarkable survival skills.

Local Knowledge of the jungle

Growing up in the region and being intimately familiar with the Amazonian ecosystem proved to be the significant advantage for the kids. Their deep understanding of the local flora and fauna, combined with the traditional wisdom passed down through generations, enabled them to identify edible plants, hunt for sustenance, and navigate the dense rainforest. The children initially ate food they salvaged, such as cassava flour then an array of fruits and seeds. They did have season luck on their side. The jungle was in a state of harvest with bountiful amounts of ripe fruiting trees. In addition, for hydration, they primarily drank rainwater, also playing into their favour was it was rainy season with rainfall averaging an astonishing 16 hours a day! This profound connection to their environment played a pivotal role in their ability to sustain themselves during their time in the Amazon.

Strong Bond and Collaborative Spirit:

The unity and cooperation among the four kids were pivotal to their survival. Their strong bond, likely forged through shared experiences and a common goal of staying alive, allowed them to rely on one another for support, motivation, and decision-making. By working together harmoniously, they could pool their individual strengths and skills, significantly increasing their chances of survival in the challenging and hostile Amazonian environment.

Emotional Resilience and Mental Fortitude:

Surviving in the Colombian Amazon presented immense physical and emotional challenges. However, the kids showcased exceptional emotional resilience and mental fortitude throughout their ordeal. They had just lost their mother. Yet, their ability to maintain a positive outlook, stay focused on their objectives, and adapt to unexpected setbacks played a crucial role in overcoming the psychological hurdles that accompanied their survival journey.

Lessons from the Jungle: An Invitation

The remarkable survival of these four indigenous children in the Colombian Amazon showcases the strength of the human spirit and the resilience ingrained within indigenous people. Their resourcefulness, adaptability, local knowledge, collaborative spirit, emotional resilience, and unwavering determination were pivotal factors in their successful navigation of the challenging and inhospitable Amazonian environment.

Their story serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the strength and capabilities inherent within individuals, even in the most extreme circumstances. It highlights the importance of valuing and preserving indigenous knowledge and cultures, as well as the need to protect the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity.

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