Two boys from the Viacha Village having some bread with us
One of the highlights of our expedition to Peru was a day spent in the village of Viacha. This village sits much higher on the mountain at 13,000 feet. Earlier in the week we advertised to a number of the villagers that a micro project would be rolled out, and those who were interested should come to the school grounds on Thursday morning.
A baby girl playing on her blankets.
It was my experience that this village tended to be more traditional in their dress, making for many colorful photo opportunities. I also hoped that we would see one little child in particular.
When we arrived at the school grounds we were greeted by two young boys and a grandmother, who had her granddaughter with her. I recognised the little girls face right away! It was the little girl I had hoped to see!
The little girl we wanted to see! She was with her Grandmother getting her nails painted.
She had grown taller over the past year and was also not quite as shy as she was last August.
I walked over to where she and her grandmother were sitting and sat down on a rock next to them and shared my lunch.
As lunch was finishing the village women started to stroll in with their children. Within a short time we had 15 to
The little girl we had hoped to see. Photo was taken Aug 2009
20 villagers ready to learn how to make the new bracelets. As in Tucsan, some of the team taught the women and some kept the children entertained with candy, balloons, bubbles and toy helicopters.
After a couple of hours the group was proficient in making the survival bracelets. This opened up some time for the village ladies to learn the art of painting finger nails and for a special feast prepared by the villagers. The cue (Guinea pig) and potatoes were very good and were enjoyed by all.
Our leader distributing the bracelet supplies to the Viacha Villagers.
After the conclusion of the training and eating we walked through the village to meet some of the villagers in their homes. It’s always humbling to go inside these adobe homes and see how the villagers actually live. Inside you will see the oven that’s used for cooking and for heating.
Grandmother in Viacha Village
Everything inside the home is typically black from the smoke emitted by the stoves. On the dirt floor, cue (Guinea pig) can be found running in all directions. You have to be careful where you step!
The foundation also spent some time in the Sunflower Orphanage. This is always a favorite part
Children in the orphanage learning to make bracelets.
of the trip. The children are so happy, loving and willing to learn new things. Within a few minutes they were able to make the survival bracelets from start to finish.
In May of this year we introduced to the orphanage a micro project making necklaces from a special trellis ribbon.
Boys working on bracelets
Our hope was that the children would be able to generate some much-needed income by selling these necklaces. The children quickly created a number of necklaces in many colors and took the necklaces to the markets and earned enough money to buy clothes and school supplies for the entire orphanage! We believe that the bracelets will provide an additional stream of income.
Our final day of the expedition was spent in Cusco.
Little boy in the market
Cusco is a larger city filled with a number of markets, churches, and beautiful town squares. My favorite of all the squares in the Plaza de Armes. This square is home to two of the largest cathedrals in the city and is often occupied with large very colorful parades that occur throughout the weekend. In the center of the square is common area with brick walkways, green grass, colorful flowers and a beautiful water fountain. At night the lights around the bottom of the fountain change color from red, blue, green, purple and white. The fountain at night with the beautiful church in the back ground is one of the most beautiful pictures in all of Cusco.
The Plaza de Armes at night