The Power of Sound
The Yawanawa Flute Foundation was born from a simple yet powerful moment. The first time I, Sunshine Ray, heard a Yawanawa flute played in ceremony, I was completely entranced. That sound carried healing, beauty, and connection in a way that words could not describe.
From that moment, I felt called to bring the gift of flutes deeper into their communities. I began learning the flute myself and, while living in Bali, met a flute maker who has since crafted many beautiful instruments for me.
On my first visit to the Yawanawa’s New Hope Village in the Amazon, I shared my personal flutes, and I witnessed the joy and desire they had to play them. It was then that my mission became clear: to bring high-quality flutes into the Amazon for the Yawanawa people.
Over time, the mission has grown beyond flutes. Along with instruments, I bring items that support daily life and community wellbeing:
• Flutes
• Guitars, strings, tuners, and capos
• Solar lights and LED flashlights
• Clothing and dresses
• Beads and beadwork supplies (numbers 11, 12, 15; seed bead needles)
• Diving goggles
• Hunting knives
• Nutritious snacks
Flutes are not inexpensive, and transporting them into the Amazon adds to the cost. Every donation directly supports this mission, ensuring that flutes and these essential items reach the Yawanawa people. Nothing is kept for profit; every contribution goes back into the community and the continuation of this work.
The Yawanawa Flute Foundation 