A School in the Andes

Our compadre René Franco Salas of Pisac, and members of his local community are currently working to build an elementary school in the Sacred Valley of the Incas - the Kusi Kawsay Andean School Project.  They share a beautiful piece of land at the base of the Pisac archeological site with a picturesque schoolhouse where 20 children presently attend kindergarten, and will be offering grades 1-6 for the next school year (2009).

This is a Waldorf-inspired school initiative rooted in the local traditions, respecting the Andean indigenous customs, history, mythology, cosmo-vision and language.  The official educational system diffuses values contrary to indigenous culture, thus further contributing to the loss of identity so fundamental to native sociocultural development.

As adults, the children from Kusi Kawsay, boys and girls equally, will participate in society with all the richness of their culture, and strong self-esteem.   The school's commitment is to provide a dignified, higher level of education for children of low income, with the goal of helping to form future leaders who honor and practice their traditional way of life.

We will be offering part of the funds we receive from our journey to Peru in the spring of 2010 to support the Kusi Kawsay vision. To realize their dream, support is welcome towards building 4 schoolhouses, with infrastructure, bathrooms and a recreational area.

For more information, please see: www.pachamamaspath.org/

Ayni, Reciprocity...The essence of life and love, giving and receiving...

Urpi Gabriela, René and Urpi Diana in Little India, Vancouver!

Last day in Nelson BC, beside Kootenay Lake and the Orange bridge

Doug Smarch of the Tlingit Raven Clan from Yukon Territory, with René on Crystal Mountain

Jim and René with the Ancestors on Crystal Mountain

An Andean blessing for Agnes, daughter of Lola Campbell, and the first Sinixt child born on Sinixt Land here in 100 years

Despacho Ceremony - René speaks with Duncan Grady of the Siksika Blackfeet people

Despacho Ceremony on Crystal Mountain, Nelson BC May 16, 2009

At the sacred Sinixt burial grounds with Lola Campbell of the Sinixt Nation

Meeting Marilyn James, Appointed Sinixt Spokesperson, in Passmore BC

The last day of snow on Crystal Mountain! May 2009

Meeting Carol in Nelson BC, May 11th 2009

Offerings to the Apus at Bromley Rock, near Princeton BC

Brenda Gaertner with René, Diana and Gabriela, our host for the Despacho Ceremony on Gabriola Island

René and Terence beside the Si7xten or 'Kekuli' pit house in Lillooet on St'at'imc Land

Pachamama's blessings on Chief Mike Leach of the St'at'imc Nation

René begins ceremony with smudging the circle

Jonathan, Gaia, and Jim during a quiet moment in Lillooet

René meeting Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

Urpi Gabriela, René, Urpi Dianita and David Suzuki at the Lillooet Gathering

Urpi Diana, René and Gabriela with Mayan Elder Don Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj

René and Chief Darrell Bob of the St'at'imc Nation at the Gathering of Indigenous Elders in Lillooet, May 2009