Project Huacaria
Manu Rain Forest, Peru
The Native Community of Saint Rose of Huacaria is located in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon at the interface, between lowland tropical rain forest and the cloud forests of the Andean foothills. A precarious, unpaved one-way dirt road meanders northeast from the city of Cuzco through steep Andean mountain ranges reaching 13, 000 feet, then penetrates down towards Manu Biosphere Reserve. Huacaria lies near the small pueblo of Pilcopata approximately an eight–hour drive by Jeep from Cuzco.
Huacaria's population of about 160 people, 73 of them children under the age of 15, includes three indigenous groups who speak different languages and maintain distinct cultural practices: the Matsigenka and Wachipaeri, both natives of the upper Amazon, have inhabited the region for centuries as well as recent Quechua-speaking migrants from the high Andes. Matsigenka and Wachipaeri families live mostly in traditionally crafted houses with thatched palm roofs without electricity. Quechua families live mostly in wood-plank houses with thatched palm roofs without electricity along the outer village roadside.
In Huacaria, Matsigenka and Wachipaeri men are responsible for felling and planting gardens, fishing, and hunting for game animals with bow-and-arrow, and some use light caliber shot guns. Women care for the children, cook and keep home, and tend and harvest the swidden gardens. The three cultural groups live somewhat apart from one another, though intermarriage has resulted in a large number of ethnically mixed households. Huacaria functions as an organized community, with all ethnic groups working for the good of the whole.
HOTC's indigenous health project reaches children and families from all three ethnic groups through secure water, improved sanitation, bilingual health & hygiene and education programs aimed at improving health and hygienic infrastructure in context to cultural and environmental needs.
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