We enter the community of Janac Chuquibamba in the Lamay district in the province of Cusco, Peru. Lamay is from the high Andean areas of Peru and one of those with the largest presence of the indigenous population mostly dedicated to subsistence agriculture. This population lives with food insecurity rates much higher than the national average, with the chronic malnutrition rate reaching 40.4% of the population.

The levels of extreme poverty are very high: out of every 100 indigenous people, 56 are extremely poor. Their main sources of income are agriculture, horticulture, and the raising of small animals. But this is not enough for them to live in decent conditions.

As CODESPA, we promote the insertion of these communities in the tourism market so that they can have additional income that allows them to improve their food security and that of their families. To do this, we are promoting the construction of a community viewpoint-dining room, where tourists can enjoy typical Andean dishes, cooked by the indigenous people themselves. In this way, we will help generate socio-economic growth in the area, through the generation of self-employment.

Why did we develop this tourism project?

Our objective is that the most discriminated population in the area and with fewer job opportunities, such as young people and women, can find a way of life that allows them to improve their food security and that of their families. And at the same time, be an active part of the development of their communities.

This entire project is developed from an approach of total respect for the culture and the environment, revaluing ancestral activities through the enhancement and commercialization of their products in the tourist market. Without abandoning the tourist quality standards and taking into account the demand of the tourists who visit the area.

The income that families obtain, they invest directly in their children, in improving their diet and in their studies, so that they can leave the cycle of chronic poverty in which they life.