Following my interest of learning of the world’s isolated indigenous cultures, my passion for business development as a means of sustainable social progress, and my desire to formalize a relationship with an expert in the field of non-governmental organizations, I traveled to the Incan indigenous communities of Chaullacocha, Rumida, and Chupani, Peru, as a volunteer for the Rural Family Development Association of Peru. My ambitious goals that I strove to complete were multi-faceted, and included 1) teaching English and health classes each day to students, school teachers, and women weavers in the indigenous communities, 2) interviewing and living with the isolated residents of Chaullacocha, Peru, to learn about the indigenous Incan culture and their primitive way of live, 3) using my understanding of economics and operations research to help establish a business plan for the Indigenous Women’s Cooperative of Textiles to form a successful small business for the women of Chaullacocha, Rumida, and Chupani, 4) establishing a personal relationship with President Helder Gutierrez of RUFADA-Peru to learn from an expert in the field of NGO work about starting and maintaining an NGO, and 5) working to help formalize relations between RUFADA-Peru and the University of North Carolina so as to secure internship opportunities for future students wishing to work with RUFADA should they wish to pursue work with the organization, allowing others to have the rare opportunity to reach such an isolated population of the world while supporting the humanitarian missions of RUFADA.
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Overall, several conclusions developed from my time in Chaullacocha. I will focus of 1) my impact on the community, 2) my increased knowledge of indigenous culture, 3) my relationship with RUFADA and network connections, 4) future opportunities for others, and 5) my impact on the Women’s Cooperative of Chaullacocha and future opportunities that I may pursue.
First, I feel that I made contributions in the areas of education and health in the community. I taught daily English and Health classes to the students, women weavers, and teachers in the school system. It was rewarding work, and I hope that some of the students remember a few words of English so as to give them motivation to learn more. The work ethic that I tried to teach the students was just as important as the English language itself. In addition to learning English, I always tried to incorporate teamwork and the importance of learning into my classes. I also feel that I made significant contributions to the area of health, stressing to the teachers the importance of brushing teeth, washing hands, and cleans simple cuts and wounds very well before covering it with a band-aid.
Second, on an individual level, I accomplished my goal of learning more about the endangered indigenous cultures of Peru. Living with them in a place few outsiders ever see was an amazing experience. I documented my time in the community with over 800 photos and videos. I talked with the President of the Chaullacocha community, attended a meeting of the Assembly of Men, slept like they slept, and taught in their school system. I saw their farmwork with alpacas, sheep, pigs, horses, and guinea pigs, their sustainable methods fertilization and crop rotation, their political and economic system of taxation and revenue, as well as their divided social system that largely separated men from women. Living with the community introduced me to the cultural value that the community possesses and has given me an even greater appreciation for indigenous life that I will draw on as I pursue a career in international law. The experience is one that I will never forget, and one that I will use to motivate myself for a career in international law.
Third, I have learned so much from my time with RUFADA, and many opportunities have become available because of it. I was the very first volunteer RUFADA has ever hosted, being that RUFADA works in one of the most isolated parts of the world. I wanted to develop a close relationship with a professional in the NGO field, and I did just that. I am in frequent contact with Mr. Gutierrez, and I have learned the operational system of an NGO within Peru. I also networked with the President of the NGO Chakana in Peru, as well as its associates. I feel that I have a solid network of people that can offer a variety of advice.
Fourth, Many opportunities have arisen because of my relationship with RUFADA. I now find myself in a unique position to offer advice to other scholars about what RUFADA offers, and I can help them formulate an internship in Peru if needed. RUFADA was excited to hear about the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program, and Mr. Gutierrez has a variety of connections in schools, hospitals, and indigenous communities that offer awesome internships to students in the area of health, education, sustainable agriculture, and business development. I am planning to host an information session for scholars about the opportunities RUFADA offers. It is a unique NGO in that it offers the legitimacy of a large-scale NGO while offering students the personal connections and flexibility that one needs to formulate an internship to fit one’s needs.
Lastly, I feel that I have made small contributions to the business development of the Women’s Cooperative of Chaullacocha. The women know have a very basic introductory understanding of a few phrases of English, and I have helped Mr. Gutierrez start to think about a plan for carrying out an initiative to expand the Cooperative. I feel that my basic understanding of operational management and economics helped in formulating the potential costs for the business, as well as what is needed to earn a profit.
My work in Chaullacocha is not over. I will be doing work for the Women’s Cooperative here at UNC by further talking with professors about small business development and what is needed to start up a small entrepreneurial initiative. I have the understanding and background to be able to apply for grants here in the United States to support the Cooperative in Peru. I have the genuine understanding to act as an English-speaking advocate on behalf of the indigenous populations of Peru.
Jimmy Waters, Student of North Carolina University. 2009 March
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