Four friends of the Foundation pooled their resources to create a $75,000 Matching Grant Challenge. For every dollar contributed by individual donors during the months of June, July and August, these generous supporters donated a dollar. This means that your gift of $50 became $100, your gift of $500 became $1,000, and your gift of $1,000 became $2,000. As always, your donations may be unrestricted or may be designated for specific programs in health, education and economic development (see the following for brief program descriptions). All donations will be used directly for projects in the 25 cooperating communities. Administrative expenses are covered by donations from members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Although this matching campaign ended successfully, you are always welcome to directly support these vital programs, by using the Donate button on this page, or by sending a check to:
The Chijnaya Foundation, 1717 E. Vista Chino, Suite A7-488, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Integrated Approach to Community Development: The philosophy of the Foundation is to focus on strengthening communities, setting them on a path of sustainable development. We remain engaged with them until no longer needed. The goal is to achieve a higher standard of living for people currently experiencing extreme poverty. We believe that it is necessary to tackle a wide spectrum of problems simultaneously. Consequently, we engage communities in projects involving health, education and family income enhancement.
The Oral Health Program. Program dentist Dr. Madelca Aragon provide dental services to both children and adults in remote Altiplano communities. Additionally, she promotes healthy oral hygiene habits with talks in the local schools and home visits. Good oral health is critical for overall general health.
The Smoke-Free Kitchens Program. Traditional cooking is done over open fires inside small kitchens with almost no ventilation. Foundation partners have installed hundreds of stoves with chimneys to reduce the smoke contamination in the kitchens. Inhaling the smoke from traditional stoves causes damage to lungs, eyes and especially to the developing brains of infants and small children.
The University Scholarship Program. Each year the Foundation offers scholarships to fifty young men and women from the communities in our network. In most cases, these scholars are the first ones in their families to attain a higher education. Many of the program graduates are now practicing professionals with careers in medicine, primary education, engineering and other specialties.
The Agricultural Development Program. Dairy farming is the primary economic activity in these communities. With an innovative program of rotating funds facilitated by the Foundation, these farmers have implemented more than 2,500 improvements to their infrastructure in the form of cattle sheds, feeding troughs, milking and platforms and the acquisition of better forage seeds and agricultural equipment. These projects have resulted in a doubling or tripling of family incomes. With more resources, this program will be extended to additional communities in the region.
The Rural Tourism Program. In the community of Ccotos on the shore of Lake Titicaca, your funds provide assistance to two associations of villagers who provide homestay experiences for tourists who come to this magnificent setting. With your help, these rural entrepreneurs are able to increase their family income while maintain their farming lifestyle.
The Ceramic Artisan Program. The region around Pucara is famous for its traditional ceramic products, both decorative and utilitarian. Your investment in three artisan associations increases their productivity and improves their working conditions. In addition, collaborations with Engineers without Borders designs filters that can eliminate arsenic from drinking water. The production and sale of these filters will provide a new source of income for the artisans.
The Group Savings Program. Training in financial management is important as people in their communities confront the transition from a subsistence economy to a market economy. Facilitator Rosmery Montesinos works to form small savings groups and to instruct the members in budget management. The savings generated by these groups constitutes capital that is lent to members at low interest rates.
The Alpaca Communities Program. You are also investing in four alpaca herding communities at 14,000 feet and more above sea level. Conditions at this altitude are difficult, and life is precarious. Climate change is creating even worse conditions, and the survival of this ancient culture is at stake. Current plans for these communities include genetic improvements to alpaca livestock, restoration of marshlands, veterinary services, the establishment of a handspun alpaca yarn industry, portable sheds to protect the baby alpacas from frost, snow and wind. This plan will serve as a model to enhance well-being in alpaca herding communities throughout Peru.
Thank you for your contribution to the success of this campaign!