Kayeb was created to change the narratives about Amazonia, using a decolonial and non-racist perspective about the region and its people. We promote local movements, projects, and organizations to European-based organisations, schools, universities, arts institutions, artists, media, businesses, and governmental agencies, that are truly keen to understand how to navigate in the region’s complexities.
We were born to educate international audiences about Amazonia’s diversity (cultural, social, economic, and political) and interconnected issues, helping organisations to have a broad view of the challenges faced by the Amazonian people so they can find solutions together.
"I am a proud Amazonian with indigenous, black, and Lebanese roots. I was born in the state of Amapa, which was exploited by a mining company for almost 50 years, leaving a legacy of massive inequalities. I know what is to be raised in the periphery of Amazonia, where you dare to dream with a different future for you, your friends, and family. I want to use my international experience to help organisations and projects in Amazonia to deliver a different future for the region. That is my mission."
Vanessa Gabriel-Robinson is a professional with over twenty years of experience in developing and delivering social impact projects with international outreach. She has worked with renowned organisations in Europe, including the British Council, the Mayor of London, Queen Mary University, and LinkedIn, where she led projects focused on systemic changes by bringing together organisations, businesses, and changemakers to spark innovative initiatives.
She is passionate about helping marginalised communities to thrive and has successfully delivered impactful projects in Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Vanessa has a unique perspective on the inequalities and interconnected issues that continue to prevent less privileged individuals and communities from thriving. She brings a diverse and inclusive perspective, along with an intersectional approach, to collaborations.
Vanessa began her career in social impact by implementing arts and education projects to minoritized groups in the state of Pará, including Belém. During this experience, she understood the profound social inequalities in the region, such as the lack of access to internet, limited access to education for young people from traditional communities, and high unemployment. These challenges are compounded by the environmental impacts of large corporations, such as mining and deforestation
She holds a degree in Journalism, an MBA in Strategic Communications & Marketing, and an MA in Science Information. She is also a fellow of the Civic Futures Program (2021) and a former trustee and chair at LAWRS, an organisation that supports Latin-American women in the UK.
One of the recurring themes in the mythology and cosmology of the Palikur people is water: rain – a symbol of life and renewal –, the sea, lakes and the bottom of rivers – the place of the supernatural.
Kayeb is a great entity in the Palikur culture - in English, “Great Cosmic Snake”. It brings the first rains and the end of the dry season, coinciding with the December solstice.
It is Kayeb's rain that marks the time for planting cassava, the flooding of the great rivers and the beginning of the annual wet cycle in that region.The Palikur community lives between the state of Amapa and the French Guiana, particularly in the south-eastern border region, on the north bank of the Oyapock River*.
We are working together with the Instituto Cultural Amazônia do Amanhã (ICAA) to promote the cultural heritage and sustainability of Amazonian communities, helping them to promote their work beyond Brazil.
Learn more
She worked for almost 20 years in the mainnewspapers of Para as a political journalist. Now, she leads Jambo Comunicaçao, a PR agency to communicate Amazonia from a different angle.
She is co-founder and former director of Mandí, an organisation that aims to imagine another future for theurban rivers of Amazonia. She holds a Master's degree in Communication Sciencefrom the Federal University of Para.
Learn more
Journalist with more than 20 years of experience working in the major news outlets in Pará. He will be responsible for all the media content produced by Kayeb. Nielson is also cultural Producer.
Learn more