Huchuy Yachaq Community Project

For many years we have been supporting the Huchuy Yachaq community project in the marginalised neighbourhood of Hermanos Ayar. This small neighbourhood is home to many people who have come to the city in search of work. It is on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru, perched in the hills that overlook the city.

Each year we donate USD 3,000 to this community project to pay the salary of a teacher.

The kids are currently studying at home as schools are closed. We are helping to provide books for the kids and food parcels for some of the families, who cannot go out to work due to lock down.

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 and 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.

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.

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 30 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.