About

Yachay Wasi means house of learning in Runasimi (Quechua), the language of the Indigenous Peoples of Peru, descendants of the Inka civilization.

Yachay Wasi, Inc., incorporated in June 1993, is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt nonprofit Cultural and Educational Organization based in New York City, USA. It is also based in Cuzco, Peru, as an association sin fine de lucro (nonprofit). Yachay Wasi is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2001 and associated with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) since 1997.

In 2007, Yachay Wasi was admitted to UNESCO Operational Relations.Luis Delgado Hurtado, president of Yachay Wasi who resides in Cuzco, Peru, was invited to attend the White House Conference on the Americas (9 July 2007), courtesy of the US State Department. Yachay Wasi was one of 7 selected NGOs having representation in Peru. The White House Conference on the Americas was hosted by President and Mrs. Bush. The Conference brought together a total of 250 voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and foundations.

Yachay Wasi has long term projects in the Cuzco region, such as the “Centro Cultural Yachay Wasi, runasimi”, a major sustainable community development project based on cultural identity, in the Andean village of Acopia, Peru, birthplace of its president. A project “Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes”, in the Peruvian Andes, surging from a pressing environmental need is being implemented by Yachay Wasi, with the initial support of Rotary International in Australia: assessing and stopping the growing contamination of 4 Andean mountain lakes, one of them affecting the village of Acopia. Recovery of the circuit of four lakes is registered as a Partnership with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and was selected as a Best Practice in Sustainable Development in April 2008 by UN ECOSOC/NGO Section.

In May 2008, Yachay Wasi initiated its Campaign of planting a Million Native Trees in the Peruvian Andes, an outgrowth of the Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes project, and is a Planting Partner of the United Nations Environment Programme Billion Trees Campaign.

During the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, Yachay Wasi is promoting the concept of harmony between Biodiversity and Spirituality with a second conference in the Andean village of Pitumarca. First conference entitled “Sacred sites: Biodiversity and Andean spirituality” took place in April 2009 in the Acopia, Dept of Cuzco, Peru. Yachay Wasi is planning a side event on this topic during the 9th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN Hqrs in April 2010. Event will be hosted one more time by the Director of UNEP NY Office who is encouraging Yachay Wasi environmental activities.

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Strategy

Two of Yachay Wasi projects are geared to the recovery of Biodiversity and to accomplish reforestation in the beautiful natural area of the Circuit of Four Lakes located in the provinces of Acomayo and Canas in the department of Cuzco in the Peruvian Andes

Water and Sanitation project entitled "Recovery of the circuit of four lakes" in the
Peruvian Andes : 

The Four lakes are Lake Acopia, Pomacanchi, Mosoqllacta (Asnacocha) and Pampamarca at an altitude of 3,600meters.

To get rid of the pollution and contamination in the lakes waters and banks caused by modern chemicals from local women washing in lakes waters with modern detergents and solid waste from plastic, pharmaceutical discards, etc...and to establish a recycling program and better sanitation works in the area. Parallel environmental training sessions are taking place in various Indigenous communities and schools in benefit area.

The Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes project is registered as a Partnership with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

A million native trees in the Peruvian Andes:

To plant native trees near villages located around these lakes for ultimately converting this beautiful landscape in a protected area or biosphere.

Yachay Wasi is mentioned as a Planting Partner in UNEP Billion Trees Campaign website.

Target Dates:

Recovery of the Circuit of Four Lakes FIRST PHASE was completed in February 2008 funded by Rotary International.

Funding for Second Phase is still pending as of March 2010.

In January and February 2009, during the rainy season, the First Stage of the Campaign of "a million native trees" was implemented: 6,000 native trees were planted around the village and lake of Acopia. Training on how to plant the trees, organized by Yachay Wasi with the participation of local biologists, was given to residents of Acopia and nearby villages.

Funding for the First Stage: As of October 20, 2008, a third of the $6,000.00 needed was raised from donations from the public at $1.00 per tree.

The Second Stage of the Campaign of “a million native trees” took place in January 2010, again during the rainy season. Under the leadership of Yachay Wasi, 6,350 native trees were planted near Lake Acopia by the Indigenous communities of Acopia and Santo Domingo.

Donations from the public are still slowly received in Yachay Wasi New York City hqrs, but saplings are mostly bought on credit and paid slowly by Yachay Wasi officers.

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