The #Chijnaya Blog
Quarterly Report: Updates from 2022
Quarterly Report: Sharing Some Highlights from 2022! Thanks to the generous support of donors, 2022 was a banner year for the Chijnaya Foundation and for Pro DIA, our Peruvian partner organization. We invested over $200,000 in altiplano communities and are eager to...
Position Open: General Operations Manager, Chijnaya Foundation
We seek applicants for this engaging position!
Kimmy Mazza Stepping Down from The Chijnaya Foundation
The Chijnaya Foundation Board of Directors announced today that Executive Director Kimmy Mazza will step down from the organization in early 2023. In her four years working with the Foundation, Kimmy helped establish and manage the Altiplano Water Program as a Program...
Quarterly Update: Scholar Spotlight and Increasing Financial Self-Reliance
Looking to spread kindness this holiday season? Consider investing in these community-led efforts. As 2022 comes to an end, we send you heartfelt thanks for your generosity and commitment to the Quechua communities of the Peruvian altiplano. In this newsletter we...
News from the Ground #16: Jallahua Community Project, Virgen de Carmen Festivities, and more
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoAcquisition of Milking Machines for the Community of JallahuaThe community of Jallahua (Puno) that belongs to the Pro-DIA Network has been working with us since 2014 on rural development projects through the Rotating Fund...
News From The Ground #15: Political Updates from Pucara and the Pro DIA Dental Program
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajo194th Anniversary of the Political Creation of the District of PucaraJune is a month full of festivities and celebrations in the district of Pucara, including the commemoration of the district’s 194th anniversary of...
Quarterly Update: Double Your Impact, Matching Grant Opportunity
INVEST IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND WE WILL DOUBLE YOUR CONTRIBUTION Between July 1st-August 31st, all donations will be matched up to $82,000 Thank you for your support of projects that create viable futures for the people of the altiplano. This year alone your gifts...
News from the Ground #14: Livestock fairs, Craftsmanship Competition and First Beneficiary Meeting
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoVarious Livestock Fairs in the District of PucaraIn order to stimulate the local economy in the district of Pucara, a series of Livestock Fairs were organized. These events are of the utmost importance since they allow...
The Restoration and Protection of Bofedales Project
Project Overview and Background This project is a collaboration between The Chijnaya Foundation, its Peruvian counterpart organization Pro-DIA, and Asociación Wichay. Asociación Wichay is an association of alpaca herders from 5 communities in the Puno region of Peru...
News from the Ground #13: Pro DIA Bofedales Project, Semana Santa and Economic Reports
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoPro DIA Activities in the Bofedales ProjectDuring the month of April, as part of the planned ventures, the "Bofedales Restoration and Protection Project" began. This will be executed in different communities and...
Quarterly Update: New Community Projects and 2021 Impact
Dear Friends of the Foundation, We want to thank you for your support of community-led projects in the Peruvian altiplano in 2021. Thanks to you, we received the full $20K matching grant towards the Scholarship Program and will be able to provide scholarships to 50...
News from the Ground #12: National Day of The Torito de Pucara and COVID-19 Updates from Puno
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoNational Day of the Torito de Pucará (Pucará Bull)In June 2021, the Congress of the Republic of Peru approved the proposal to consider every March 18th the "National Day of the Torito de Pucara", a symbol more than...
News from the Ground #11: Virgen de Candelaria, Intense Rains in Puno, and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoFestivities of the Virgin of CandelariaLike every February, the festivity of the Virgen de la Candelaria - patron saint of Puno - took place. It is an important celebration that combines religious faith with folklore...
News from the Ground #10: New Communities, Return to In-Person Classes, and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoThe Annual Meeting and Incorporation of New Communities and Organizations to the Pro-DIA NetworkLike every year, during the third week of January, the XVII Annual Meeting of the Chijnaya Foundation – partner organization...
News from the Ground #9: Traditional Christmas Celebrations in Pucará, Ruraq Maki in Puno, and more
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoChristmas Celebrations in PucaráEvery December 24th, on the beginning of the celebration of the Christmas, the different local authorities, public and private institutions of the district of Pucara, meet with the purpose...
News from the Ground #8: Drip Irrigation Project Updates and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoImplementation of the Irrigation Modules Project - Project Horizons - Rivulis Irrigation & Asociación Pro DiaLast May, the collaboration with the Project Horizons organization, led by the student Aksel Demir, began...
Quarterly Update: Equitable Access to Education on the Altiplano
Give the Gift of Education and We'll DOUBLE Your Contribution Between December 1st-31st, all donations to the Scholarship Program will be matched up to $20,000 As 2021 comes to an end, we want to send you a heartfelt thank you for your generosity and commitment to the...
News from the Ground #7: Hybrid Learning at UNA, Cancer Screening Campaign, and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoReturn to Semi-Presential Classes at the Universidad Nacional del AltiplanoAs part of the return to higher-level educational activities, the authorities of the National University of the Altiplano have announced that the...
News from the Ground #6: COVID-19 Vaccines at UNA, Diablada Puneña Declared Cultural Heritage, and more
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoCOVID-19 Vaccination Campaign for Students of the Altiplano National UniversityIn order to contribute to the vaccination process against COVID-19 in the department of Puno, the educational authorities of the Universidad...
News from the Ground #5: Government Support to Families during COVID-19 and Other News from Pucará
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoFamily Support Stipend- YANAPAYAs announced by the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, the payment of the YANAPAY family support stipend recently began, which consists of an economic subsidy of 350 soles with the...
New from the Ground #4: Group Saving during the Pandemic and more
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajo Testimony from the Group Savings Program- Asociación Pro DIAThe health crisis caused by COVID-19 has no doubt further exacerbated social, economic, and educational challenges, among others, worldwide. In the local rural...
News from the Ground #3: Traditions During the Month of Pachamama and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoAugust- Month of Pachamama (Mother Earth)In the month of August, the people of the highlands carry out many activities, which makes this month special. On the night of July 31st and the first hours of August 1st, many...
News from the Ground #2: Rural Education and Access to Internet in Puno
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoBicentennial of Peru: 1821-2021 This past 28th of July was an important date for all Peruvians, as we commemorated the 200 years since the declaration of our independence. In these two centuries of life as an independent...
News From the Ground #1: Vaccines in Rural Communities, Tourism in Puno, and More
**Este boletín esta disponbile en español abajoDear friends, it is a pleasure for us to introduce ourselves and present the first newsletter of the new series from the Asociación Pro-DIA, “News from the Ground.” This publication is made possible by all the members and...
Q2 2021 Quarterly Update: Matching Grant Announcement!
INVEST IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND WE WILL DOUBLE YOUR CONTRIBUTION Between July 1st-August 31st, all donations will be matched up to $75,000 This is What You Make Possible Empower 740 small businesses in 30 communities by supporting their economic development projects...
Q1 2021 Quarterly Update: 2020 Impact and 2021 Project Preview
We want to thank you for your support of community-led projects on the Peruvian altiplano in 2020. In a year where many people faced uncertainty and unprecedented loss, your generosity was a true bright spot. Although the situation in Peru and throughout the world...
4th Quarterly Update 2020: Support Community Projects Before the End of the Year
Although this has been a year of seemingly endless challenges, we believe that it has also demonstrated that community and compassion for one another are what truly create positive change. It has shown that the future depends on us collectively, and that we have the...
Quarterly Update: Find Out How Your Support Has Made a Difference
Since July 1st you have helped us raise $85,726! The first $75K of this was MATCHED and DOUBLED leading to a grand total of $160,726. Your donations will support the continuance of public health initiatives in response to COVID-19, provide scholarships to students...
Letter from the New President and Operations Manager- Updates in Response to COVID-19
Dear Friends of the Chijnaya Foundation Warm greetings and our sincere thanks to all of you for your continued and generous support of the Foundation. As the recently elected President and the new Operations Manager, we write on behalf of the Board with an update on...
Letter from the Retiring President of the Foundation
Dear Friends of the Chijnaya Foundation, For fifteen years I have had the privilege of serving as the volunteer president of The Chijnaya Foundation. Working with the men and women in remote communities in the Andes, with a...
A brief video about Altiplano water projects, by Kimmy Mazza
Today, many rural communities’ traditional livelihoods in the Lake Titicaca basin are threatened by water scarcity and pollution from mines, urban settlements, and solid waste. Most people today in the lake basin show awareness about pollution and...
Interviews with Chijnaya Foundation Scholars
Two men discuss their scholarships from the Chijnaya Foundation. A woman discusses her scholarship from the Chijnaya Foundation. A man discusses his scholarship from the Chijnaya Foundation. Two women discuss their scholarships from the Chijnaya Foundation.
Summer 2019 Matching Grant Challenge
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...
Brochures Highlighting Current Activities
Dedicated to Ending Extreme Poverty in the Peruvian Highland Villages
The Chijnaya Foundation was established in 2005 in response to a request from the rural community of Chijnaya to collaborate on projects to ending extreme poverty in the Peruvian highland villages.
Welcome Letter from Susan C. Bourque
Dear Friends and Supporters of The Chijnaya Foundation: As a new member of the Board of Directors of The Chijnaya Foundation, I attended my first annual meeting of the Board in January 2017. My introduction to the Foundation came via a letter much like this one. When...
A New Year For Collaboration On The Altiplano
Happy New Year to Friends of The Chijnaya Foundation, As we enter 2017, we look forward with enthusiasm to a year of collaboration with the people in our communities on the Altiplano. We know that they are eager to get to work on projects which will improve the...
The Chijnaya Foundation’s 2016 Accomplishments
Dear Friends of The Chijnaya Foundation, Life in communities at elevations above 12,500 feet in the Andes is difficult. The potato farmers, cheese producers, ceramic craftsmen and alpaca herders in this region of Peru struggle to survive in this harsh, rural...