Frequently asked questions
Straight
answers
The store, the cause, and your cargo, explained. Anything missing? Write to help@rota92.com.
What is ROTA 92?
ROTA 92 is the fundraising design store of Readers of the Amazon, a student initiative from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California. We sell heavyweight tees, embroidered caps, and a hoodie inspired by the Amazon river route, and the profits become books for community libraries in the Brazilian Amazon.
Who runs ROTA 92? Is it legitimate?
ROTA 92 is run by Readers of the Amazon, founded in 2024 by Antonio Cunha, Manuela Barros, and Thomas Edwards, students at Mira Costa High School in California. The initiative works in partnership with Vaga Lume, a Brazilian NGO, and the partnership is documented on Vaga Lume's own site at materiais.vagalume.org.br. Payments are processed by Stripe.
Where does the money go?
Profits from every sale fund books for community libraries in rural Amazonas, Brazil, through our partner Vaga Lume. Each product page states exactly how many books it funds.
Who is Vaga Lume?
Vaga Lume is a Brazilian NGO that has kept community libraries alive in rural Amazonas for 24 years. It builds libraries and trains local reading mediators in communities reached only by river.
How many books does each item fund?
Every tee funds 8 books, every cap funds 6, and the Waypoint Hoodie funds 12. The number is printed right on each product page.
What does the name ROTA 92 mean?
Rota is Portuguese for route, and 92 is DDD 92, the telephone area code of Amazonas, Brazil. Together they name the river route into the Amazon out of Manaus, the same route our books travel.
What are the products made of?
Tees are heavyweight combed cotton, caps are structured cotton twill with embroidered marks, and the Waypoint Hoodie is heavyweight fleece with a double-lined hood. Every item is printed or embroidered to order, so nothing sits in a warehouse.
How does shipping work?
Every item is made to order by our production partner and ships worldwide from their nearest facility. Production takes 2 to 5 business days before shipping, and you receive tracking by email when your order ships.
What is the return policy?
Because each item is made to order, we cannot accept returns or exchanges for a change of mind. If your order arrives damaged, misprinted, or wrong, or gets lost in transit, email help@rota92.com within 30 days and we will send a free replacement or refund you in full.