The andean community largely makes its living through agriculture. Farmers work the earth in much the same way as their ancestors did, using the tools that were used hundreds of years ago. The farmers grow many different varieties of potatoes, corn, and root crops. They use picks to break up the soil and shovels to dig holes to plant the crops.

The community also raise sheep and use their wool for weaving and their meat for food. The art of weaving is a very  important community activity: it includes cutting the wool, spinning it into yarn using drop spindles,  the harvesting of plants and insects for dyeing the wool, and the use of large and small looms for creating weavings of corresponding sizes.

Thanks to the efforts of our clients and their family and friends, in September of 2007 we were able to provide sixty sets of farm tools to the farmers.  Our projects in the community encourage the responsibility and dignity of community members, by empowering farmers to become more self-sufficient. Our ongoing efforts towards the community include the following:

1. Weaving Demonstration: We bring clients to learn about the techniques involved in this ancient art. At the end of the two hour demonstration, in which clients are encourages to participate, clients have the opportunity to buy completed weavings from the weaving cooperative that offered the demonstration.
   
   
2. Village Homestay We improve the residences of local villagers; we fund home improvement projects and the family offering the homestay provides the labor. The homestay may last for from 1 to 4 nights, and is an opportunity for villagers and travellers to have an in-depth exchange of culture, language and hospitality.
   
   
3. Products we purchase for our clients In addition, we purchase products made by the weavers as gifts for our clients.

If you would like to help either by donating supplies or money for supplies, and/or if you would like to include a visit to the community in your program, please contact us. We encourage our clients to become involved in these ongoing projects to support the well-being of communities in Peru and to expand their awareness of Latin American and world community and culture.