Río de Vida: An Interactive, Game-Based Approach to One Health Education for Claverito, Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon

Design Arts & Humanities 2025 Graduate Exhibition

Presentation by Janhavi Rajwade

Exhibition Number 604

Abstract

This project centers around creating an innovative, interactive board game to tackle the One Health challenges faced by Claverito, a floodplain community in Iquitos, Peru. Their unique lifestyle, shaped by the fluctuating waters of the Amazon River, consists of floating and stilted houses in an informal settlement with limited resources. The community faces significant health and environmental challenges due to inadequate sanitation, insufficient infrastructure and the growing effects of climate change. The game, 'Senda de la Anaconda: Río de Vida', engages players in cooperative decision-making that addresses issues affecting human, animal and environmental health within the Amazon River ecosystem. Players navigate real-world scenarios surrounding pollution, conservation and the interconnectedness of health within the environment. By immersing players in these complex scenarios, the game reveals the delicate balance between local health issues, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. On March 9th, 2025, the board game was gifted to the Claverito community during a field visit. The game is designed to be easily accessible and understandable for all community members, acting as a tool for engaging with local environmental and health issues. Its hands-on, interactive format is aimed to appeal to children and families, offering an enjoyable and educational experience to raise awareness about the principles of One Health. The project seeks to inspire long-term changes in community behavior and equip residents with the knowledge to address their health and environmental challenges. Ultimately, this initiative aims to foster sustainability, improve health outcomes and build resilience in Claverito for future generations.

Importance

This project addresses the health and environmental challenges of Claverito, a floodplain community in Iquitos, Peru, where residents live in floating and stilted houses adapted to the changing Amazon River waters. The community faces poor sanitation, limited resources and is vulnerable to waterborne diseases, pollution and climate change. Using the One Health framework, the project empowers community members, particularly children, to understand and address these interconnected issues. An interactive educational board game teaches players about pollution, conservation and public health, promoting informed decision-making. The project showcases landscape architecture’s ability to create innovative design solutions that engage communities in health and environmental issues. It highlights the potential of design tools like games to promote sustainability and resilience in vulnerable communities.

DEI Statement

This project embodies the core principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by prioritizing cultural relevance, accessibility and community empowerment. Claverito's informal settlement is home to a community facing systemic challenges such as limited access to healthcare and resources. Through a collaborative design process, the voices of Claverito’s residents – especially children – are central, ensuring that the game reflects their needs, knowledge and values. The interactive design makes it easy for children of all ages and abilities to engage, fostering inclusivity. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern public health concepts, the project respects non-Western epistemologies while addressing health disparities. The game’s focus on collective action ensures long-term educational impact, empowering future generations to protect their environment and health.