LOCATION:

Ollantaytambo and Calca, Peru

PROJECT TEAM:

The Westminster Schools

PARTICULAR NEED:

Computer labs and dormitories

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION:

Build a computer lab in Ollantaytambo and Calca in addition to a dormitory in Calca

ENROLLMENT:

50 Students

PARTNERS:

The Sacred Valley Project

PROJECT STATUS:

In progress

AREA OVERVIEW:

The Sacred Valley region is in the southern, Andean region of Peru which is home to 300,000-400,000 people, many of whom are of Incan descent, live in rural “hill villages,” and speak only Quechua despite the fact that the majority of public schools and many jobs require a command of Spanish. Those in the rural Andes face significant challenges to reach the closest secondary school. Girls in this region also face an average of a 2-9 mile walk between school and home every day. Girls’ local graduation rate from secondary school of only 40%.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN:

SVP has built strong relationships with community leaders, government officials, and public schools, helping to integrate them into the communities they operate in and ensuring their long-term operation in the Sacred Valley. SVP holds monthly meetings for parents called “Faenas” to keep them involved, knowledgeable, and supportive of SVP’s work with their daughters. SVP has also recently opened a bakery in town. By establishing a business in a strong tourist town and hiring locally, SVP further integrates itself into the community and generates funds to offset ongoing operational expenses.