As part of our Heart Walk Foundation community, our ayllu, we wish to reach out to you and send our love in this time of global uncertainty. We want to acknowledge your generous heart, and we hope that you find comfort in the relationship you’ve formed with the Q’ero people. May you be blessed by their wisdom and their strong survival spirit at this time.

Some of our supporters are wondering how the Q’ero people are faring in this pandemic. This is what we know at this time:

As of today, there are 2561 persons in Peru known to be infected with CoVid-19. When just eleven cases were confirmed on March 10, the Peruvian government canceled classes throughout the nation. On March 15, President Martin Vizcarra declared a strict quarantine across the nation.

The Q’ero people are hardy farmers, and although they must remain in their villages, they are looking forward to a fruitful potato harvest in the coming months. Because they have lived isolated for centuries, they know how to survive without commerce and the goods and services of a modern economy. Q’ero culture has always been closely connected to the land, the seasons, and community relationships. Q’ero traditions and culture offer substantial advantages in this pandemic era.

The schools in the villages are closed until the quarantine is lifted, when the teachers will finally be able to travel to Q’eros. Without access to the internet for remote lessons, the children help their parents at home and will likely assist their families with the May potato harvest.

We hope that Peru’s rapid response to the pandemic will result in a much lower rate of infection over a shorter time than experienced in many developed nations. However, the coldest months are approaching South America when viruses tend to spread more readily. We know you share our loving concern for our Q’ero partner communities.

As soon as the quarantine is lifted, our Peruvian representative, Bertha Ramirez Rozas, will purchase and deliver truckloads of materials to complete the construction of school buildings in the villages of Ccochamarka and the high school in Hapu Grande. We are excited to share photos of these buildings when they are finished near the end of the year.
Meanwhile, we have commissioned the weavers to continue to produce textiles for the Tribalstore.org as an important way to support their economic situation.

You can help the Q’ero people by joining them in prayers for healing Pachamama, our Earth, and by dreaming the world into balance. You may also consider purchasing one-of-a-kind handicrafts for yourself or friends and family. Plan now for celebrations in the months ahead.

SHOP NOW at Tribal Store

~ Our sister website where we sell fair trade Q’ero textiles

traditional scarves

colorful knit hats

bracelets and ties

outstanding table runners in fine hand-spun alpaca

exquisite textiles in beautiful colors

Make a donation here to help the Q’ero people.

Not a U.S. resident? Donate through our TribalStore.org

Secure Donation

We thank you for your steady support and loving hearts.
Heart Walk Foundation Board of Directors:
Malynda Madsen
Tim Eicher
David Jamieson
Penelope Eicher

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