Hakani

Week three with YWAM in Kona, Hawaii

On media advocacy night we watched a docudrama depicting infanticide within the indigenous tribes of Brazil. In many tribes if a child is born with any defect, sickness or abnormality they will be killed in order to purge any “evil spirits” from the community. This film screening was particularly special because its subject—Hakani- was in the audience. As a child Hakani had trouble speaking and walking because of a thyroid problem. Because of this Hakani’s tribe pressured her parents to kill her. Unable to do it, the two ate poisonous roots so they would not have to take their own child’s life.

The tribal elders then attempted bury her alive, fortunatly she was rescued from the pit by her older brother, BiBi. The tribe decided to isolate her outside the village, and they treated her like an animal. As a 9-year-old Bibi foraged for food and cared for Hakani for 2 years before taking her to a missionary outpost. She was then given the medical attention she needed for her thyroid; and was also able to receive treatment for the mental and physical abuse she endured. Hakani is now a happy 18-year-old living in Kona with her adoptive parents.

This film ripped my heart open because the “defects” for which children are murdered can often be treated easily with modern medicine; but because of lack of access to these remote areas, prejudice and lack of representation they are denyed the help they need. I was so honored to meet this amazing woman and found her forgiveness, tender heartedness and sense of justice inspiring. This film has been shown all around the world and is sparking change within the Brazilian government. Its goal is to create alternatives for the tribes and increase medical access to the Amazon. This film truly captures what being a Voice for the Voiceless means; to see a problem and do something about it. I can’t wait to work on similar projects and make injustice known. 

Hakani (center) loved handing out autographs and sharing her popcorn with us during her movie.