AVALON COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT WITH KUSI KAWSAY IN PERU 

Top Donation CA$10.00

Average Donation CA$5.50

The Kusi Kawsay Association was founded in 2008 by a group of families in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, to honor and preserve their Quechua identity and way of life, promoting the revaluation of ancestral Andean culture, through Indigenous led educational programs. In 2010 a primary school opened its doors in Pisac and later secondary education was added, and by 2012 the Kusi Ñan agricultural project was launched. In 2021 the Kusi Kawsay Andean School and Nawpa Ñan Cultural Events received international recognition by UNESCO for their model of Sustainable Education, combining the Quechua worldview with Waldorf pedagogy. This holistic educational approach preserves many aspects of their cultural heritage while strengthening a practical understanding of sustainable development and core values like reciprocity, respect, love and social justice. A cultural center was also established in the nearby village of Taray to host other student activities, the International Gathering of Indigenous Nations, Andean calendar celebrations and ceremonies, family events, dance, music, even karate programs and kite flying.  

Despite these many achievements, the school and cultural centre are still in need of green building and infrastructure renovation, operating supplies and equipment, better guest accommodation, diversified agricultural and greenhouse production, and other enhancements.  Kusi Kawsay Association has been building a relationship with the Avalon Alliance and invited our professional team to develop a SHIFT partnership initiative that can improve both locations and build more of a social enterprise case for the cultural centre. Avalon intends to bring some team members to Peru in late August/ early September 2025 to assess the two sites and community aspirations in consultation with Kusi Kawsay representatives, and then prepare an initial strategy and concept plan that would qualify for impact investment to finance the next phases of improvement.  

As this engagement is humanitarian in nature and Avalon needs to cover its travel and expenses, please give what you can to help us accomplish this work.  Donors will be kept informed of the highlights of this exciting journey and project development.