Reflections on Cultural Change and Perseverance
Throughout sixteen years working in Q’ero communities, we continually reflect on the future of the beautiful Q’ero culture. Will Q’ero culture and wisdom be eroded by the encroachment of cell phones, roads, employment, public education, and migration to cities? There are reasons to have hope that the deeper gifts of Q’ero culture and spirituality will persevere in spite of rapid changes.
The Mountains Keep Calling Me Back
The mountains called me back to Q'eros, and once again my heart prepared to trek the well-worn path of service in the remote Q’ero regions of Peru. The love I’ve developed for this challenging service-based travel is grounded in the excitement I feel while watching the Q’ero children explore educational experiences for the first time.
Return to the Mountains
Today the 2019 HWF expedition team entered the remote Q’ero territories. For the next 10 days the small team will meet with Q'ero village elders, discuss joint projects, and provide training and services in three remote villages in the Andes Mountains of Peru.HWF board member Stacy Christensen (with hat) leads the expedition again this year, with a focus on service to Q’ero children and their families.
Breathe Easy – Building Stoves for Q’eros
There are many efficient stoves on the world market. All are expensive. None address the unique situation of the Q’ero people. John Whitaker (Ivins, UT) of Whitaker Studio was inspired to develop a low-cost, easy-to-transport, fuel-efficient stove that can be assembled in the Q’ero villages with no tools. We call it the
It’s remarkable Santos survived.
Twenty years ago Santos crushed the bone in his thumb when he fell onto a rock. The injury became a festering wound, the bone was infected, yet he never received medical treatment. Though Santos suffered constant pain in the hand, he continued to cultivate potatoes to keep his family fed. He still manages to
Providing Medical Care in a Freezer
Heart Walk Foundation hired obstetrician Karina Bello Pacco, and nurse Briggite Ivone Benavente Arape to serve Q’ero villagers in their remote Andean region for 2018. These two brave and dedicated women endure deprivations, hardships and risks to their safety so they can provide basic medical care to Q’ero villagers.