The Heart of the Andes

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Why Sustainability?

by Ken Boche, Director

Giving direct aid can be easy, so why does Heart Walk Foundation (HWF) invest in the slow, complex, and sometimes difficult path of developing sustainability and community development in remote indigenous communities?  When communities are empowered to work together to develop sustainable solutions for themselves, they become more economically stable, and they improve in all measures of well-being and quality of life.

HWF supports cooperative projects that promote sustainability and that identify the entire community as beneficiaries, rather than individuals or family units.  All Q’ero families gain some benefits from the trout aquaculture projects, from the schools, and from the health & hygiene initiatives that HWF donors are supporting.                 Read complete article on page 1

Everything Changed

by Michael Dinsdale, Youth Volunteer

After visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, our group traveled to do service for a small school in the village of Hueco Uno.  We broke up some “bad” adobe bricks and carried rocks from a nearby field to lay a cobblestone sidewalk to the school's nearly finished toilets. It was tough work, even tougher because of the high elevation (over 11,000 feet).  I was using a 15 pound pick axe to break up the hard dirt.  I'm the kind of guy who enjoys a good workout, but I could hardly breathe!

 When I stepped into that schoolyard in Peru, everything changed. Instead of seeing kids playing video games and texting on their cell phones like I had expected, they were playing with rocks, old tires, and even corncobs! Their lives had not been corrupted by all the modern technology, and they were so happy. It made me realize that I didn’t need all that stuff to make me happy.         Read the complete story on page 2

Accomplishments in 2010

 In 2010, our donors provided the means for Andean communities to improve their quality of life in agricultural and food security, education, and health and hygiene, including:

first ever  lavatories
and first ever bathrooms
and Hueco Uno School

Training in trout aquaculture and equipment for trout reproduction
Construction of greenhouse at one school and donation of 30 pounds of heirloom seeds
Food staples for elderly and infirm and food for children in schools
Construction of 4 classrooms with desks, chairs, tables, bookshelves and cupboards 
Construction of toilets, showers, and lavatories at one school
Teacher salaries (4 classes) and education supplies and teaching materials for 8 classes
Expansion of bridge so vehicles can reach trailhead into isolated communities
Distribution of child birth kits for safer childbirth to all communities
Health and hygiene workshops

    Goals for 2011: Building Futures

Three board members will sit with Q’ero leaders this June to listen deeply to the concerns of each community. We anticipate they will request partnership for these projects:

Expand trout aquaculture into more villages and continue reproduction project
Explore possibilities for cultivation of trout food on land at lower elevations
Continue support of 8 classes at 5 schools with educational materials
Build one or more classrooms and fund more teachers
Construct more greenhouses in high mountain villages
Develop agricultural projects on Hapu land at lower elevation
Develop micro-enterprises (cuy, sewing)

Q'ero Tribal leaders in dialog
with HWF directors

We know communities must take the lead in all projects to sustain their accomplishments over time. They understand their own conditions, and their investment is required for future success. That is why it is essential for HWF board to build relationships and understandings with each community by sitting in circles with a listening heart — year after year.

 Volunteer Opportunities 
Manage our Facebook page
Prepare and post short videos to You Tube
Assist with our silent auction for February 2012
Assist with graphic design of flyers and posted
Manage our online handicrafts webpage

Our volunteers are the heart and the foundation of Heart Walk Foundation. 

Every gift of your time helps families in the villages.

To volunteer, phone Penelope at  435  619  0797

or email us.