Vicuña Salvation Trailer
100% of the projects executed by Quechua Benefit are supported by the communities in the highlands. From improving education opportunities to empowering alpaqueros economically, our goal is to help break the cycle of poverty for the world’s first alpaca ranchers.
In 2019, our organization was approached by the community leaders of Picotani inquiring about assistance with a water project. At first, we assumed this was regarding town’s drinking water. After several meetings, hand gestures and translators, we realized the water project in question was for the wild vicuña during the dry season.
Water conservation is critical to the health of the planet. As plans went into development, we learned that the natural biodiversity that already existed at 15,000 feet above sea level was the key. From a bofedal that provides nourishment and water, to the exquisite vicuña (that was once placed on the endangered species list until our communities stepped in) that grazes upon the dry plateau, to the humble Quechua farmer that is blessed with the vicuña fiber, this ecosystem so codependent.
For Picotani, this water project could potentially support an additional 2,500 vicuñas, producing 1,250 pounds of fiber worth $225,000. This would mean an additional $1,325 annually for each family in the community. All this will be made possible by simply expanding the natural grazing pasture areas within the community borders. The bonus? The additional pasture land will provide the Earth with additional natural carbon sinks.
Now more than ever, several of our economic empowerment programs help tie in environment preservation and protection as well as wildlife conservation. Without nature, our highland communities simply would not exist.
Join our fight for environmental conservation and protection, economic welfare, and social justice.
Vicuña Salvation Interviews
Picotani Water Project
