Huchuy Yachaq Community Project

For many years we have been supporting the Huchuy Yachaq community project in the marginalised neighbourhood of Hermanos Ayar, Peru.

This small neighbourhood, perched on the outskirts of the Cusco hills that overlook the city, is home to many people who have come to the city in search of work.

Each year we donate around USD 3,000 to this community association to fund the salary of a teacher, school packs, snacks, classroom materials and holiday group activities.

2023 was challenging for the country’s economy, which made the work of Huchuy Yachaq more difficult but also more important. However, they rose to the challenge and around 300 children and their families benefited from the association’s support over the year, including another successful “Maxi Vacaciones” summer school programme attended by over 120 children.

It’s really heartening to hear that a number of volunteers in the “Trotabarrios” (mobile library) project are former pupils of the foundation.  Others are local young professionals and students who gave up their time to help with workshops.

Huchuy Yachaq is asking for donations to provide school packs that contain everything the kids need to head back to the classroom in 2024. Each pack costs USD 40 and includes a backpack, stationery, and folders.

Please contact us for more information and how to donate to this wonderful project that really makes a difference to a neighbourhood in need.

You can read about some of our friends and customer visits to the project: read Maria’s week volunteering in her blog, as well as Nigel’s visit.

This project was set up by volunteer social workers and teachers to provide much-needed social and educational support to the children and families of this impoverished neighbourhood.

Children are encouraged to attend extra classes to study each day after school. We help by paying for a teacher.

Games sessions are held each afternoon and the kids also participate in holiday projects.

Over the years our contributions have paid for educational books and games, tables and chairs, structural improvements to the community-owned building including adding toilets, school materials, and books for the children, plus holiday programmes and a teacher.

You can volunteer or help by donation. If you would like to donate materials, please get in touch with us to work out logistics.

More on Huchuy Yachaq

In this neighbourhood there are high poverty levels and little in the way of guaranteed income.

Most houses have had water and electricity installed recently, but most adults work long hours in poorly paid insecure jobs. Many of the children also used to work, usually on the street selling postcards to tourists, cleaning shoes, washing cars etc.

In 2006 the project started a programme of “useful holidays” with a 2 month programme of educational activities for 120 children involving five teachers. During the holidays courses are run in logic and maths, communication, dance, theatre, crafts, and the kids go on organised visits to local attractions etc.

Over the 2024/25 holidays Huchuy Yachaq ran “MAXIVACATIONS 2025”. Children and teenagers attended workshops on visual arts, theater techniques, rap, entrepreneurship for kids, and creative writing. Their long break was transformed into a time of fun learning and a space to strengthen social skills, bringing education and opportunities to underprivileged communities.

Also in 2006 a small library was established, to provide support to the children that come to the centre after school to do their homework and school projects.

Assistance is also provided to some of the children so they could register for school, providing text books, note books, pencils, school clothes and so on.

A new project was begun in 2024: “Thak kaypi yachasun: Learning for peace”.  This project was attended by groups of high school students from 1st to 4th grade. The young people took part in dynamic and reflective sessions, aimed at helping them  learn to challenge stereotypes, talk openly with each other, and understand how others feel. The facilitators who ran the workshops say that “we hope that by thinking about themselves and their actions, they can help create a world without violence and where everyone has the chance to succeed.”

How can I help?

If you wish to contribute please send a donation to the Andean Trails office stating what it is for.

Every penny donated will be given to the Community – it costs USD 40 for a child to receive all the materials necessary for one year at school.

The project has also encouraged mothers to generate their own income by providing training in handicrafts, which the project sells.

Items available to buy include leather bags, jewellery and textiles such as wall hangings.

The project is very happy to receive volunteer workers on a short or long term basis. Daily help is required with the kids, helping with games and studying. Help is also required to look after the building, and volunteers are always made welcome.

Please contact the office for more information on how to get involved.