IN a boost to Herefordshire's own climate change action group, the Size of Herefordshire, rainforest leader Shapiom Noningo Sesen came to De Koffee Pot at Hereford's Left Bank on February 18 to meet with supporters and Lady Jane Lisvane, High Sheriff of Herefordshire.

Shapiom, a member of the Wampi, an indigenous people living deep in remote rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, flew to Europe from Lima.

Shapiom, speaking in Spanish, updated the group on the current situation for the Wampis in their battle to gain legal title to their lands and to conserve and sustain the Amazonian rainforest.

Destruction of the rainforest is recognised as one of the leading causes of climate change and destroys a wealth of biodiversity.

The Wampis, supported by the Forest Peoples Programme, aim to create an autonomous territory.

Funds from the Size of Herefordshire campaign have purchased a boat, The Hereford, enabling community leaders to meet easily and organise over a widespread mountainous territory.

The Peruvian government declares "conservation areas" after minimal and token consultation with indigenous peoples, and then invites petrochemical and mining companies to exploit primary resources, leaving indigenous peoples in precarious situations.

In a recent, historic ruling by the judiciary, one of these designated "conservation areas" was overturned, giving hope that the situation can be improved and, as Shapiom explained, the Wampis have always been fighters from the time of the Incas onward.

In another first for Size of Herefordshire, Dan Haworth-Salter's 15 minute film made on a journey to Wampi ancestral lands with Malcolm Bell was screened.

The group intends to show the film in further fundraising events; to date £15,000, nearly 20% of their target of £80,000, has been raised through sizeofherefordshire.com. Working with schools is a top priority and backed by Lady Jane Lisvane, who felt there was much to learn from the spirit of the Wampis, their commitment to democratic processes and the worldwide environmental implications from rainforest destruction.