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.

Map of Huacaria

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.