Feliciano dos Santos
April 14, 2008

I am deeply honored to receive this award for our work. As a musician, I know that words can be poor tools for communicating emotions, but I also know that art and the environment transcend words.

I depend on the environment to express love. To show deep affection, I offer a flower. To make a critical decision, I consult the land. I also honor my ancestors, whose bodies have become one with the environment. I bring flowers to their gravesites, as my children and grandchildren will do for me, and in this way the environment transcends time.

It is because of my love for the Earth that I became the person I wanted to be. Each of you can also be that person, recognizing that the environment loves you and encourages you to honor it.

I do my work to contribute to the satisfaction of basic human needs. Access to water, sanitation, nutrition and health, are preconditions for the development of my country and respect for human rights. I want to contribute to building a better country, where children grow without diseases from their water sources or lack of hygiene and sanitation, where the environment smiles and makes one smile.

I am grateful to the Goldman Family for this award. I thank also those who have supported us and presented our work to Mr. Goldman and to the world. It is with humble pride that I accept this honor that recognizes not only me but also the community leaders, my family, and the Massukos and Estamos teams, without whose support this would not be possible.

Go now, love and be loved.

Contact:
pr@goldmanprize.org
(415-345-6330)

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