About the Project:
Why we are Compelled to Act
How we Operate
Project Objectives
(kiss-pea-khan-chee)
Why
The Quispicanchi (kiss-pea-khan-chee) Project is the result of years of relationship development with the people living in the Quispicanchi Province of Southern Peru. We are a cohort of former short and long-term volunteers who have been deeply impacted by our time living in these communities. Some of us are currently serving in US-based non-profits, some in the classroom as teachers and students, and others of us are young professionals. Collectively, we realize that the relationships we began during our service in the region compel us to take action. Through this effort, we desire to continue to dwell in a mutuality of grace and love.
At the heart of our work are three pueblos on the “Ruta del Barroco Andino”, a cultural route centered on parishes dating back to the 16th century, that are home to centers that host a vast array of after school, legal, vocational, nutritional, and health programs for individuals living in these communities. The parish centers provide a safe space most especially for the vulnerable. However, even with the services they provide, the need in the region is great. Our goal is to be a compliment to these centers’ mission and mission of our other partners in the region by focusing our resources on the many outlying communities whose members often go without some of the basic necessities of daily life.
How
In a spirit of accompaniment, the Quispicanchi Project seeks first to develop friendships which lead to a deepening empathy for those who struggle and a greater understanding of the needs of others. It is out of these relationships that solutions are imagined.
To facilitate this work, The Project maintains a Regional Advisory Council comprised of local leaders, pastors, parish priests in the Society of Jesus, social workers, teachers, and others living in the Quispicanchi Province. This council serves as the “think tank” for any and all work supported by the Project. Our goal is empowerment - where local individuals are equipped with the resources and knowledge to implement sustainable solutions they have designed to meet the needs and challenges they themselves face.
The Quispicanchi Project partners with existing and trusted networks of support, social service agencies, organizations, and ministries in the region to implement these solutions.
Project Objectives
The project is guided by four primary objectives which represent both the critical health needs of communities in the region and an effort to empower local organizations and families to develop sustainable programs for addressing the unique challenges they face.
Objective 1 - Bolster nutritional intake and reduce nutritional deficiencies through the implementation of sustainable solutions.
The Quispicanchi Project seeks to provide local organizations with the resources necessary to offer proper nutrition to families and children living in the region. The primary diet for many individuals living in highland communities consists of potatoes and rice. As a result, many children and adults suffer from anemia and other conditions caused by a lack of access to the critical nutrition provided by fruits, vegetables, and proteins. The Project collaborates with communities to implement sustainable solutions to improve their nutrition, such as systems of agriculture and farming which can provide a long-term source of locally grown produce and affordable protein.
Objective 2 - Work with local organizations to implement best health practices and improve overall well-being.
In addition to providing proper nutrition, the Quispicanchi Project supports the work of organizations and individuals working to improve the general health and well-being of their communities. We recognize the importance of community and organizational partnerships, aiming to collaborate in order to assess community health status, address health issues, and promote proper health, hygiene and personal care. From health promotion to violence prevention, among other interventions, we work towards improving the health and increasing well-being of various populations within the Quispicanchi region.
Objective 3 - Support local organizations working to increase equitable access to education in its various forms while empowering communities of creators and learners to achieve their potential.
Many educational institutions throughout the Quispicanchi region lack the resources to provide equitable education to students. Working in partnership with these institutions, and others, we support and promote initiatives that increase equitable access to education. Other communities of creators and learners exist across the region, and the Project seeks to empower these communities to reach their full potential, particularly their economic potential.
Objective 4 - Celebrate and promote local and indigenous cultures.
The highlands of Peru are home to some of the most vibrant and colorful cultures and traditions of any in the entire country. The communities we support are no exception. Recognizing that a rich cultural heritage is essential for a community's health, the Quispicanchi Project seeks to celebrate and support the region's heritage through the promotion of, among other things, the indigenous language, art, and religious practices unique to the region and its people.
