“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Education, cultural awareness and a sense of belonging is the cornerstone for a happy and healthy society. Undeniably Peru has a very rich and diverse history and culture. Unfortunately, for the children born in the rural villages of the Andean mountains, visiting some of the greatest monuments and architectural marvels still remains a very distant dream. Orange cares continues to make their dreams come through by organizing free educational tours to the most popular attractions in Peru like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Rainbow Mountain among many others. ORANGE CARES is honored to be able to offer this once in a lifetime chance to explore their heritage and restore their pride in their culture, history and Inca heritage.
Heritage education
The basic idea of heritage education is to offer opportunities to engage in experiences to learn new concepts and skills. By directly experiencing or analyzing cultural heritage, learners gain knowledge, intellectual skills and a wider range of competences on issues such as cultural heritage maintenance or societal well being.
Your Involvement
- Taking children to Machu Picchu
- The biggest irony is that people of these communities are the direct ancestors of the great Inca Empire and are one of a few groups still left observing and maintaining their Inca heritage.
- So, it only makes sense that they should get at least a single opportunity in their lifetime to rediscover and feel the pride of the ingenuity of their great ancestors.
- A day trip to Machu Picchu is really expensive. Expenses include the train ticket, the bus ticket, the food and of cause the entrance tickets into Machu Picchu itself.
- Because they are incredibly economically disadvantaged its probably something they might never afford.
- Together, we can raise funds to take as many children to Machu Picchu as possible.
- Together, lets continue to conquered one village at a time.
- Taking children to Cusco and the Sacred Valley
- Cusco is essentially a living museum, declared a UNESCO Heritage site in 1983.
- It´s showcases the cross between Inca and Spanish architecture.
- Its also important to be aware that some people in these isolated communities have never seen life outside a village and the hustle and bustle of a city. It´s a great opportunity for them to be inspired and motivated to try a different way of life in the future.
- The Sacred Valley has a slew of archeological and engineering marvels to explore.
- Ruins like Pisac and Moray experimental farming site gives them a birds eye view into how their farming practices were actually formulated. It also spot lights how successful and ahead of its time Inca agricultural practices were.
- Book a tour with Orange Nation or Sam travel and a portion of the money goes towards sponsoring a child´s excursion
- Directly sponsor a child by covering expenses associated with the tour
Greatest numbers so far, in 2015 we managed to take over 30 children from the village of Cucani on a tour of the Sacred Valley and Cusco. Whereas in 2016 an impressive 22 students from the community of Patachancha joined us for a memorable day exploring our cultural heritage in the great citadel of Machu Picchu. Then in 2017, ORANGE CARES fulfilled the dreams of 36 children and their parents from the indigenous community of Pampamarca. They got to tour Cusco City, Sacred Valley and the Citadel of Machu Picchu all paid for by ORANGE CARES. Together, we hope to continue to make even greater strides.
Cultural Immersion project
This project places you in an indigenous Quechua village with less than 60 residents. During your stay you get to fully immerse yourself in daily village life. Some of the daily activities include heading to the mountains to gather the plants needed to create a natural die for their garments. This is then followed by the weaving process. Potatoes are the main source of nutrition and income, join the locals as they show you the entire process, from planting to the final harvest.
The host families are all from the village and welcome you into their families, essentially becoming a member of the family through your stay and beyond. This is one of the most unique and immersive volunteer experiences. By spending time in these communities, you positively contribute to the village´s economic growth. Some of these villages have managed to install flushing toilets and actual beds through the volunteer programs.
Your Involvement
- Bring an open mind and sense of adventure
- This project is centered around learning a different way of life and maybe gaining a skill or two in the process
- The merging of different cultures and self-growth
- Your days can be spent volunteering at a nearby school, interacting with the children and doing art projects with them
- The ladies have a weaving club where you can partake and learn first-hand how to weave your own garments
- Potato cultivation is a huge part of life in the Andes Mountains, if you visit during the right season you can be part of the Chuño making process. Chuño is the freeze-drying of potatoes. Potatoes are simply being dehydrated, a natural and ancient way to preserve them.
- Economically supporting a community that is far from any city or commercial hub, meaning no jobs and no government support.
