Lost in the Amazon

On May 1, 2023, 13-year-old Lesly Mucutuy and her three siblings boarded a small plane with their mom in Colombia, in South America. Less than an hour into the flight, the plane’s engine failed. Then the unthinkable happened. The plane crashed in an isolated part of the Amazon. 

The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world—filled with giant trees and menacing animals. Lesly, 9-year-old Soleiny, 4-year-old Tien, and 11-month-old Cristin were the only ones to survive the crash. Now they were stranded. They would have to fend for themselves. 

It was May 1, 2023, in Colombia, a country in South America. Lesly Mucutuy, 13-years old, and her three siblings got on a small plane with their mom. The plane began its flight. 

But less than an hour later, its engine failed. Then something terrible happened. The plane crashed in a remote part of the Amazon.

The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world. It’s filled with giant trees and menacing animals. Lesly, 9-year-old Soleiny, 4-year-old Tien, and 11-month-old Cristin were the only ones to survive the crash. Now they were stranded. They would have to take care of themselves.

Thankfully, Lesly had this experience. The Amazon is home to 385 Indigenous groups. Lesly and her family belong to one of these groups, the Huitoto (wee-TOH-toh). Because of how she was raised, Lesly could identify fruits packed with nutrients and avoid those that would make her and her siblings sick. She made shelters for protection from bugs, rain, and heat. 

Meanwhile, Colombia’s army searched for the kids with Indigenous experts and volunteers. Day after day, the rescue team found signs of life: diapers, shoes, hair ties. The whole world waited for news. 

Finally, after 40 days lost in the Amazon, the siblings were found. They were hungry and tired. But they were healthy. Their family was overjoyed to welcome them home.

“They achieved an example of total survival that will go down in history,” said Colombia’s president.

Thankfully, Lesly had this experience. The Amazon is home to 385 Indigenous groups. Lesly and her family belong to one of these groups, the Huitoto (wee-TOH-toh). Because of how she was raised, Lesly knew which fruits were healthy. And she knew which ones would make them sick. She made shelters for protection from bugs, rain, and heat.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s army searched for the kids. Indigenous experts and volunteers joined the search. Day after day, the rescue team found signs of life. They saw diapers, shoes, and hair ties. The world waited for news.

Finally, after 40 days lost in the Amazon, the siblings were found. They were hungry and tired. But they were healthy. Their family was excited to welcome them home.

“They achieved an example of total survival that will go down in history,” said Colombia’s president.