Chinchero, Cusco, Machu Picchu

Beautiful churches, lots of stray dogs, and an early morning to Machu Picchu. Guinea pig is also a delicacy?!

I had the opportunity to live with the indigenous Quechua people in the Andes. Our month consisted of Quechua language classes and weaving to help preserve and appreciate the dying native culture. We were also taught about the impoverished conditions and political persecution that the Quechua people faced as natives. For example, in the 1990’s, former president Alberto Fujimori had a goal to decrease poverty levels in his country. To reach this goal, he devised a government-enforced sterilization policy that systematically targeted rural areas where the poor, illiterate, indigenous population resided. This desire to improve the country’s economy sacrificed the rights of those who didn’t have a voice in government and were less likely to fight back.  

It was here that I learned more about what ‘ethical tourism’ meant [to be fair, this was my first/freshmen study abroad trip] – it came about as our guides pointed out some indigenous families who make a profit out of wearing traditional dress to entertain tourists. Why? Because they know that tourists, lured by culture, want these photos. Some see it as a way of living and don’t mind the ‘self-appropriation’. Others view it as a way of degrading their own culture.

Though I wasn’t able to help communities while abroad, I ask that we all consider learning more about the Quechua Benefit, a non-profit with a goal to expand education and help families with economic stability. To learn more, visit https://www.quechuabenefit.org/ or donate here.