Muruwiqsa Initiative

 In Peru, the grassroots Muruwiqsa Initiative is also working towards providing baskets to the two  Quechua communities of Chawaytiri and Pampallaqta in the Pisac valley of the Cusco region, where there are hundreds of families in need. There is no government support, or even outreach, in these deeply impacted communities where there was a reliance on the tourist market for their weavings, but all of that activity has been paralyzed since March.  A shift to greater reliance on Indigenous agriculture will take time.  The baskets consist of essential food, health and hygiene products to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and cost around $50 USD (around $70CAD) to support five people.

Our Apus and the Mother Earth certainly will not allow that this pandemic and its illnesses make us disappear.” “Please, brothers and sisters of the world, help us today and tomorrow we will return the favor largely.” – Chawaytiri community

Chawaytiri community meeting, Traditional (Wachu) families, 2013