Peru currently suffers the first highest per capita rate of death by COVID-19 in the world. The recent extension of the government-mandated quarantine means that the people in these communities will not be able to work to earn money to support their families until after the quarantine is over. In addition, tourism, which supports most working families, will probably not return to this area until sometime in 2021.
The communities close to Ollantaytambo have been severely impacted. The families in these communities have no access to cash to buy food. They have not received government or any other assistance. Food is scarce. In order to help combat hunger, a sustainable farming project has been started by Washington Gibaja on his family land. Over a one month period, local laborers have cleared 6 acres of the land, and made it tillable for crops. Approximately 40 families have donated their time to plant seed potatoes on the land, and then will return three times: twice to cultivate the dirt around the plantings, and one more time to harvest the crops. In return for their work, each family will receive two 100 pound sacks of potatoes. The two sacks will provide food for each family for approximately 6 months. The remainder of the potatoes will be sold on the open market, and the profits will be used to purchase new seeds for the next crops. Secondary crops will be fava beans, quinoa, kiwicha, corn, and other super foods. Again, families will donate their time to plant, to cultivate and to harvest the crops. Families will be compensated with food from the harvested crops. Excess crops will be sold on the open market, once again utilizing the profits for more seeds and supplies for the next crops. Path of the Heart has helped this sustainable project with a one-time financial investment, which will feed many families for years to come.
Path of the Heart would like to thank the Shapiro Foundation for a grant which has helped make this project possible. Their funding has provided for 2 weeks of professional laborers to help prepare the land for farming, and the purchase of the initial seed potatoes and manure for the intial crop planting.
Removing the rocks
Tilling the soil
Enriching the soil with manure
Planting potatoes
Planting potatoes