2023 Projects
Economic Development Community Project Proposals
Communities submit project proposals at the end of every year. You can now partially or fully fund a specific project with your donation. Please reach out to [email protected] if you would like to learn more about how to fund a community’s project.
Textile Artisan Workshop Improvement
Communities: Escallani, Asociación de Mujeres
Budget: $2,632
The Asociación de Mujeres Emprendedoras Kantutas seeks to empower women by providing economic opportunities through artisanry that highlight local resources and traditions. Currently, the association produces crafts made from totora reeds and Andean textiles. Through this project they aim to improve and increase their production of textiles by investing in sewing machines, sergers, knitting machines, irons, and scales for their craft workshop. The association estimates that this will help its members increase the income generated from artisanry by 150%.
Tourism Services Improvement
Community: Santa Rosa, Amantaní
Budget: $5,204
The community of Santa Rosa on the island of Amantaní submitted a proposal to improve the quality of lodging of 16 members’ homes in order to receive tourists to Lake Titicaca. With this project they intend to create employment opportunities and generate, maintain, and develop integral programs to increase local tourism. The tourism industry is the main source of income on the island and families view its success as a way to ensure all members of the community have access to health and education.
Ceramic Artisans Workshop Construction
Community: Kojra, Jose Domingo Choquehuanca
Budget: $5,204
The artisan association Nuevo Amanecer de Kojra – Jose Domingo Choquehuanca, has been doing ceramic work in the field of pottery (creating pots, dishes, etc.) outdoors at the home of each member because they do not have a pottery workshop. It is for this reason they have requested support for a sheltered area where they can avoid the sun, wind, rain, and other environmental impacts so that they can preserve their work and focus on improving their technique and quality of product.
Livestock Well and Water Trough Creation
Community: Nicasio, Asociación Virgen de Fátima
Budget:$5,204
The association of agricultural producers, Virgin of Fatima, has requested the installation of a well and the creation of water troughs so that their cattle are exposed to less disease, can have a good milk production, and can ultimately increase their economic income.
Bathroom Improvement
Community: Occosuyo, Amantaní
Budget: $4,996
Asociación de Emprendedores Turísticos from Occusyo has requested financial support to improve their hygienic services for the safety and comfort of the visitors who tour their island. Because of the new reality that COVID-19 has presented, the group believes that hygiene of everyone involved is the utmost priority. By ensuring a safe experience for tourists the group hopes that more visitors will follow and the community will improve their economic income.
Implementation of Artisan Workshops
Communities: Pukallinqui, Pucará
Budget: $5,204
Asociación de Ceramistas Pukaruna Rimachin Llinkita Pukallinqui has submitted a proposal to improve their working environment with the construction of a workshop.
With the creation of a ceramic workshop, they hope to double production because they will spend less time collecting their mold and will focus more time on the creation of their product. They plan to have a higher production of ceramics and increase their economic income.
Fodder Oats Purchase
Community: Asociación de Productores Ganaderos y Agroindustriales Las Mercedes, Chijnaya
Budget: $5,152
Asociación de Productores Ganaderos y Agroindustriales Las Mercedes has requested support to purchase fodder oats with the idea to produce adequate feed for their dairy cattle. By improving the cattle’s nutrition they hope to increase the quality and quantity of the milk produced.
Their goal is that each associate will increase by 30% of their daily milk production, ultimately increasing their economic income.
Protection and Restoration of Bofedales (Highland Wetlands)
Community:La Union, Coarita, Sapanccota, Alto Pucarayllu, Pucarayllu
Budget: $45,434
Bofedales are a type of wetland found at high altitudes throughout Peru and Chile. These wetlands are a fundamental part of high-altitude environments in the Andes because they help regulate water levels in nearby aquifers; they also provide water for both animal and human consumption and grazing pasture for livestock. In recent years, climate change and overgrazing have caused bofedales to begin to disappear in the 5 alpaca communities in the Chijnaya network. This project will restore and protect the bofedales of these 5 communities by providing individualized trainings in each community, planting native grasses, strategically directing water to replenish water levels, and building fences to ensure areas are protected. The project is partially funded by a grant from the New England Biolabs Foundation and Water Charity and is a part of a set of projects aimed at improving the family economy of alpaca herding communities.
Learn about the success of our projects by watching this recording of a presentation given by Asociación Pro DIA.
The Scholarship Program
The scholarship program aims to end the poverty cycle in rural communities by improving access to higher education . This year, 38 students have been selected to receive scholarships. 28 students plan to attend universities and 10 plan to attend technical institutes.
You can donate directly to the scholarship program and even create a named scholarship to honor someone special or create opportunities for students who are pursuing a particular field of study. Read about current named scholarships and find more information about creating these opportunities here.
The Group Savings Program
Savings groups give communities a way to save their money, earn interest, and take out low-interest loans, In 2023, the 16 savings groups, consisting of a total of 236 participants, saved a total of $73,457 and used their savings to invest in small business, medical, and educational expenses with the goal of strengthening their financial self reliance.
This year, a specialist conducted several workshops to help groups determine if they want to form a cooperative, ultimately strengthening their saving potential. Groups are still in discussions to determine if this is the right step for them.
The Group Savings Program will continue to assist interested communities in forming and facilitating savings groups in 2024. The program will also continue to provide communities with financial education to help them to grow their small businesses.
The Health Program
The Oral Health Program addresses communities’ needs for dental services and oral health education in the rural sector, with a specific focus on children. In 2023, the Oral Health Program worked work with 3 primary schools to improve the oral health of 34 students by providing fluoride treatments, oral evaluations, and training sessions on oral hygiene.
In 2023, the Health Program also expanded its focus to address the high rates of childhood anemia in the region.
Water Projects
In 2023, The Chijnaya Foundation received two project proposals to support water projects in two different communities on the Island of Amantaní. These communities did not have consistent access to water within their homes.
After partnering with Villa Orinojon and Lampayuni, 119 families now have basic water services which is foundational to the health and well being of their communities.
Volunteer Program
Students from San Martin de Porres University in Lima conducted 6 virtual workshop sessions on digital marketing for artisan and rural tourism organizations that are a part of the Pro DIA network.
96 beneficiaries received training that can be useful for strengthening their businesses and elevating their brand to ultimately increase their income.
Join us in making a difference!