In a once-in-a-lifetime expedition, Henry Maillet and Jeff Wong rowed a handcrafted wooden rowboat down one of the continent's last remaining free-flowing rivers. They traveled over 1,300 km and visited a wide range of riverside communities battling through heavy winds and sudden storms, from the Yshir indigenous peoples of the Pantanal to the metropolitan capital city of Asuncion. In a partnership with WWF, they conducted field research about the local effects of climate change and gathered data spanning the length of the entire country. Through photography and recorded interviews, they explored and documented the rich bio-cultural diversity found along the river's banks, meeting incredible people and learning about the various relationships that people have with the Paraguay River.
STORYMAP
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
During the expedition, Henry and Jeff partnered with local youth and school directors to facilitate 10 educational activities in various communities along the river. Working with students, teachers, and youth groups of many age groups and backgrounds, they covered a variety of themes—environmental stewardship, sustainable development, civic engagement, and traditional culture—while adapting the activities to each group’s specific dynamic. Using teaching methods that they learned from their two years of Peace Corps service in Paraguay, Henry and Jeff included ice-breakers, a design thinking exercise, and a conversation about cultural themes related to the community.
RESEARCH
River communities around the world are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, with shifting seasons and temperatures, reduced access to water, diminishing food production, degradation of freshwater fisheries, and added costs on business operations. In partnership with World Wildlife Fund, Henry Maillet and Jeff Wong carried out on-the-ground research, collecting testimonial data on local climate change adaptation along 1,300km of the Paraguay River. Over the course of the expedition, they completed over 30 surveys with local participants of varying professions and backgrounds in rural and urban communities. Stay tuned for a Climate Crowd summary report highlighting their key research findings.
TEAM
Henry Maillet // Photographer
Henry is a 27 year-old explorer and photographer interested in exploring our connectivity with the world’s most cherished natural resources. He currently resides in the capital city of Paraguay, Asuncion, where he is working on providing media support for global brands and impact-driven environmental organizations.
Jeff Wong // Lead Interviewer
Jeff has spent the past 4 years learning about traditional Paraguayan culture and in particular, the country’s second official language, Guaraní. Speaking with countless people in various regions of the country, Jeff has gained a deep knowledge of Paraguayan culture, especially as it relates to its nature and the Paraguay River.