🌿 My Story: The Amazon Jungle
Hello! My name is Marina and this is my story about how I got here and how Selva Nahele was created. From a very young age, I was fascinated by the Jungle. My passion and love for the Jungle never left me over time. Books, movies, documentaries, and following conservationist NGOs fueled my desire to visit the Jungle myself.
In January 2024, my dream came true when I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Brazilian Amazon Jungle for a month with an extraordinary explorer, and from that trip, everything changed for me. That was one of the most exciting and fascinating periods of my life, when I felt so deeply connected with nature, the animals, and the indigenous culture. When I returned home, I realized that I had to go back and explore more. My mind, spirit, and heart never truly left the Amazon Rainforest. Not a single day has passed without the thought of returning to the Amazon.
In 2025, I returned for another month — this time for a real expedition, deep in the Brazilian Jungle, climbing the highest parts: the Brazilian Tepui. I spent a week living in a remote village with indigenous people, where I had the rare opportunity to observe and understand their way of living, their perspective on life, and how they embrace its simplicity and beauty.
🌺 The Hawaii Connection
Another rainforest region that I feel deeply connected to, and that holds a special place in my heart, is Hawaii. The beauty of the islands continues to inspire me and strengthen my commitment to caring for nature. Each time I return to the Hawaiian Islands, I am reminded of the importance of living in balance with the land. I was deeply touched and impressed by the way Hawaiians treat their land with reverence, stewardship, and responsibility, in the spirit of Aloha ʻĀina — “love of the land.” A core value in Hawaiian culture is ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. We can see those same fundamental principles, beliefs, and practices embodied in the Amazonian Indigenous tribes.
At Selva Nahele, we value and honor those same principles.
🌎 Why Selva Nahele
The immense love and respect I felt towards these two places and cultures inspired me to create Selva Nahele. Selva means jungle in Portuguese, while Nahele means forest in Hawaiian. Together, the name carries the spirit of the Amazon and the islands of Hawaii — landscapes that continue to inspire us with their beauty, even as they call for protection and care.
🌱 Our Mission
Selva Nahele is more than a store. It is a way to share the rainforest’s spirit with the world through natural, sustainable, and ethical products. With every purchase, we give back: a portion of profits goes directly to conservation initiatives that protect the Amazon and empower indigenous communities.
This is my journey, and I invite you to be part of it. Together, we can honor the rainforest, live more consciously, and preserve our planet’s most sacred places. Let’s make a change, today and an impact, together.
Sincerely,
Marina Danailova
