Expedition report · November 2025

41st Expedition Zo'é

Name: 41st Expedition: Zo'é
Start: 2025-11-28
End: 2025-12-01
Location: Terra Indígena Zoé

November 28 to December 1, 2025 · 4 daysTerra Indígena Zoé

Health that crosses the forest

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appointmentsin 4 days of expedition: 427
volunteers: 8
hours donated: 128
in donated services: R$ 33k

Value of the services donated on this expedition: hours actually worked × the market rate for the specialty, reported by the volunteer or, failing that, the market average — the methodology of note 11 to the audited financial statements. Amounts in Brazilian reais.

About the expedition

Surgeries on Zoé territory

41st Expedition: Zo'é The expedition took place on the Zoé Indigenous Territory from November 28 to December 1, 2025. The team included a surgeon, anesthesiologist, nursing technician, general practitioner, geriatrician, administrator, marketing specialist, and neurosurgeon. The total cost was $25,760.00. Five gallbladder surgeries, ten geriatrics consultations, five anesthetic screenings, and five surgical consultations were performed.

Removing indigenous people from their community to a hospital in Santarém would be a major cultural shock, in addition to exposing them to diseases for which their bodies have no defense. For this reason, the best solution is to bring all the necessary equipment to perform surgeries within the community. — Marcelo Averbach, surgeon

Appointments

What was done, by category

427in total

Toothbrushing kits donated
Clinical consultations
Surgeries

Toothbrushing kits donated

94%

400

Toothbrushing kits400

Clinical consultations

4.7%

Anesthesia screenings7
Surgical consultations7
Geriatrics6

Surgeries

1.6%

Gallbladder surgeries6
Neurosurgery1

Highlights

What marked this expedition

7 gallbladder surgeries in the forest

We transported hundreds of kilograms of equipment, including surgical support devices and anesthesia kits, as well as clinical supplies, to perform 7 gallbladder surgeries and one hernia surgery within Zoé territory.

Toothbrushes for 100% of the Zo'é

In partnership with Eurofarma, Zoé donated 400 soft toothbrushes to replace the hard ones previously distributed. This is especially important due to eberpot (made from Puturú wood), the characteristic lip ornament of the Zo'é.

We stream our home

Built in 40 days with the help of everyone, including the Zo'é, the local team, and the Dieter Morszeck Foundation, the new house features much more professional infrastructure. Kitchen, two bathrooms, several beds, and various spaces for hammocks were among the features of the new facility.

Stories

Who the team met

Photo for story 1 of the 41st Expedition: Zo'é

Thinking about caring for those who care for the forest, we performed a hernia surgery on Márcia, a nurse technician who has worked for 6 years caring for the Zo'é. This was an unprecedented surgery in indigenous territory, performed by Dr. Erik Jennings, president of the Dieter Morszeck Foundation and member of the ONG Zoé Board. Turning the forest into a complete health center required transporting hundreds of kilograms of equipment, including surgical support devices, anesthesia kits, and clinical supplies.