Indigenous Education Project
The Indigenous Education Project is one dearest to my heart. I recall growing up and my parents telling me to study so that I could get a good job and afford to live my dreams. I am extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to study what previous generations before me provided.
My grandfather, as a subsistence coffee farmer and cattle rancher in the Andes of Colombia, who did not have the opportunity to get a formal education – I lived his dream – to be able to study. My grandfather survived the War of a Thousand Days, working since he was 3 years old, barely learning how to write his own name. Though he did not have the opportunity to study, he instilled in his 8 children the importance of education. Through his daughters, my aunts, I witnessed the trauma that happens to young girls forced to take care of younger siblings, and thus, forfeiting their own education.
Therefore, whenever a child tells me they want to go to school, to learn, and to become a professional – be it a tour guide, a mechanic, an entrepreneur, a doctor, or anything and everything else in between – my heart melts.
Donate today!
The children of Q’ero are in need of:
- School supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books etc.
- Clothes, shoes, socks, jackets, etc.
- Access to technology such as Starlink Connections and Chromebooks.
- Solar-powered computer chargers such as Goal Zero products.
What your donation provides:
- $15 provides school supplies for one child.
- $30 provides educational toys for the local school.
- $30 provides sturdy shoes, and a warm jacket for a child.
- $50/month covers a residential Starlink service plan.
- $100/month covers an online English immersion program at the Colombo Americano for older youth wanting to pursue a career as a professional tour guide.
- $175 covers a portable solar panel foldable solar charger for power station generator adjustable kickstand.
- $205 pays for a refurbished ASUS Chromebook.
The Youth
Q’ero children attend kindergarten and primary school in their communities, however, once they reach junior high and high school, they must leave home to continue their education. Most live alone in a rented bed at school, or a room in a private home close to school. Most live alone, cook, and clean for themselves, and see their families, if lucky, once a month during the school year.
We have a number of children of varying ages in need of your support. Here are just a few as well as some of our wonderful success stories.
Anita
Anita is the oldest child of 8 children. She is currently a high schooler and needs a sponsor to be able to continue her studies. A monthly donation of $50 covers her school tuition as well as her room and board.
Elvis
Elvis is the oldest boy of Bernabe and Rosa’s 8 children. He is the next oldest in his family after his sister, Anita. He wants to become a professional tour guide. He is an extremely intelligent, beautiful, sweet soul. A monthly donation of $50 covers his school tuition and room and board.
Abel
Abel is a 14-year-old boy with a dream to become a professional tour guide in Peru. He is thoughtful and caring with a happy disposition and yet a hint of sadness behind his eyes. He is fortunate to live in Cusco with his grandfather and aunt, but that means he lives away from his mother and father who live in Chua Chua, the first annex of the Q’ero Nation. Thus, facing other challenges of having to grow up faster than most boys his age. A monthly donation of $50 will cover his school tuition as well as his transportation costs to and from school.
Jordy
Jordy is Abel’s younger brother. He is precocious and joyful. He wants to be a doctor! He is fortunate to live in Cusco, so he can live at home while he goes to school. A monthly donation of $50 will cover his school tuition as well as his transportation costs to and from school.
Lady
Lady is a curious, hardworking young lady. Quechua is her first language and because of that she has struggled in school for classes are taught in Spanish. A monthly donation of $75 will cover her school tuition as well as a tutor that can help Lady catch up with her peers.
Maria Fernanda (Mafer)
Maria Fernanda or Mafer as she is known for short is a strong-willed personality. She is a tough cookie, who knows what she wants, and that’s an education! She wants to be a professional. She’s not sure exactly what she wants to be yet, except she knows she wants to study!
Edison
Edison is a very sensitive 5-year-old boy. He lives with his very elderly grandmother and single mother in a very rustic traditional Q’ero mud brick home. Edison’s father has never been in the picture. Thus, this young boy needs all the support he can to reach his potential. He attends school in the Q’ero community, but a monthly sponsorship of $50 will help his mother and grandmother make ends meet as well as provide additional nutrition for Edison so he can grow in a strong educated secure young man.
Anita
Anita is the oldest child of 8 children. She is currently a high schooler and needs a sponsor to be able to continue her studies. A monthly donation of $50 covers her school tuition as well as her room and board.
Abel
Abel is a 14-year-old boy with a dream to become a professional tour guide in Peru. He is thoughtful and caring with a happy disposition and yet a hint of sadness behind his eyes. He is fortunate to live in Cusco with his grandfather and aunt, but that means he lives away from his mother and father who live in Chua Chua, the first annex of the Q’ero Nation. Thus, facing other challenges of having to grow up faster than most boys his age. A monthly donation of $50 will cover his school tuition as well as his transportation costs to and from school.
Lady
Lady is a curious, hardworking young lady. Quechua is her first language and because of that she has struggled in school for classes are taught in Spanish. A monthly donation of $75 will cover her school tuition as well as a tutor that can help Lady catch up with her peers.
Elvis
Elvis is the oldest boy of Bernabe and Rosa’s 8 children. He is the next oldest in his family after his sister, Anita. He wants to become a professional tour guide. He is an extremely intelligent, beautiful, sweet soul. A monthly donation of $50 covers his school tuition and room and board.
Jordy
Jordy is Abel’s younger brother. He is precocious and joyful. He wants to be a doctor! He is fortunate to live in Cusco, so he can live at home while he goes to school. A monthly donation of $50 will cover his school tuition as well as his transportation costs to and from school.
Maria Fernanda
Maria Fernanda or Mafer as she is known for short is a strong-willed personality. She is a tough cookie, who knows what she wants, and that’s an education! She wants to be a professional. She’s not sure exactly what she wants to be yet, except she knows she wants to study!
Success Stories
Elisa Quispe
Elisa is granddaughter of the renown Q’ero teacher and spiritual healer, Don Manuel Quispe. She was born and spent her childhood in the Q’eros community. As heiress to Inca wisdom, she comes from a culture rich in customs and traditions that passed down from generation to generation celebrate Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Sacred Mountains).
Through sponsorship from Whole Earth Engineering, Inc., and much hard work, Elisa graduated with her professional certification in Hospitality and Tourism. She currently works as a tour organizer and guide in Cuzco, Peru. Where she uses the photography and video-ethnography skills she learned through the Unlocking Silent Histories program for Indigenous Youth sponsored in collaboration by Whole Earth Engineering, Inc. and the University of North Carolina, Wilmington to capture magical experiences for her clients.
Through a Whole Earth Engineering, Inc. sponsorship, Elisa immersed herself in online English language training through Colombo Americano of Bogota. Her English studies provided her an opportunity to be the lead guide and English, Spanish, and Quechua translator for an assessment trip to the Q’ero Nation, Chua Chua annex. She used her language skills to facilitate collaboration for a water distribution project among the Q’ero community, Whole Earth Engineering, Inc. and the student chapter of Engineers Without Borders, Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey.
She was extremely excited to be lead guide and multiple language translator for the Q’ero community, Engineers Without Borders, and Whole Earth Engineering, Inc., and is excited to continue her English language studies. She looks forward to learning more about the business of hospitality and tourism, so she can create unparalleled authentic experiences of Peru for travelers from all the world over.
We have yet to see many more exciting things from Elisa! Sponsorship works. Let’s continue to provide educational opportunities for Q’ero youth! Thank you.
Ruben Apaza Quispe
Ruben Apaza Quispe greets you from the highest and most important mountain of the Q’eros Community, the Apu Huamanlipa. He is the grandson of the renowned Q’ero teacher and spiritual healer, Don Manuel Quispe. He was born and spent his childhood in the Q’eros community. As heir to Inca wisdom, he comes from a culture rich in customs and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation to celebrate Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Sacred Mountains).
Ruben graduated from San Antonio Abad National University of Cusco with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism. He is the founder and primary guide of AndeanSpirit.earth. And, as a spiritual teacher and wisdom keeper – sharing the Q’eros 500-year-old ancestral knowledge and traditions transmitted to him through Inca spiritual technologies embedded within ancestral weavings and rituals, he exemplifies and is creating an entrepreneurial roadmap for the younger Q’ero generations.
In collaboration with Whole Earth Engineering, Inc. and the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Ruben completed the Unlocking Silent Histories photography and video-ethnography program for Indigenous youth. His passion and love of photography and video-ethnography can be seen on his website, Andean Spirit, where most of the photos were taken by Ruben.
Through a Whole Earth Engineering, Inc. sponsorship, Ruben immersed himself in online English language training through Colombo Americano of Bogota and earned himself a year contract with Marriott Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout his year in Atlanta, he is immersing himself in Western culture and learning more about the business of hospitality and tourism, so he can create unparalleled authentic experiences of Peru for travelers from all the world over.
We have yet to see many more exciting things from Ruben! Sponsorship works. Let’s continue to provide educational opportunities for Q’ero youth! Thank you.
