The spectacular site of kuelap is set for a tourism explosion which might bypass local communities unless they have the skills to take advantage of it

The SiteKuelap is one of the most important pre-Inca sites in Peru. Located in the Amazonas region, the huge fortress is over 600 meters in length will walls which rise over 19 metres containing over 400 buildings. It was inhabited by the Chacha peo…

The Site

Kuelap is one of the most important pre-Inca sites in Peru. Located in the Amazonas region, the huge fortress is over 600 meters in length will walls which rise over 19 metres containing over 400 buildings. It was inhabited by the Chacha people for around 700 years before the Inca invasion.

The CommunityKuelap is poised for a huge increase in tourists due the development of a cable car to the site. Local stewardship and economic benefit are vital for this tourism to be sustainable. The community of Maria is an hour away from the site, …

The Community

Kuelap is poised for a huge increase in tourists due the development of a cable car to the site. Local stewardship and economic benefit are vital for this tourism to be sustainable. The community of Maria is an hour away from the site, on the road tourists currently take, which will be bypassed by the new cable car.

The ProjectSPI is working with an exceptional association of women artisans in Maria, to give them the skills and knowledge to build their business with new hand-made products and benefit from the rich archaeology and make their community thrive.

The Project

SPI is working with an exceptional association of women artisans in Maria, to give them the skills and knowledge to build their business with new hand-made products and benefit from the rich archaeology and make their community thrive.

Achievements

  • During 2016, the women worked with designers to create new products inspired by their local cultural and natural heritage and learned how to make the new designs. Their products are on sale, and the group has nearly quadrupled their average income from before the project!

  • The women are also selling at a nearby museum as well as at craft fairs throughout Peru!

the big thing we learned

  • Community organization is at the heart of everything we do and this group is a great example of that!

The Future

  • The women are learning to make themselves a more effective business to bring themselves more opportunities and make their community thrive!

 

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