Support for Peruvian mountain guides
Donation protected
I met Elizabeth Quillahuaman last year on a trip to Machu Picchu with WHOA (Women High on Adventure). It only took the first day for me to learn that Elizabeth is a role model; she is the definition of resiliency, strength, and leadership.
During the wonderful five-day journey that Elizabeth led us through, she told us the story of her journey and how Mountain Gods Peru came to be:
Elizabeth grew up surrounded by mountains, glaciers, forest, and archaeological sites – all of which nurtured her love for nature. Interested in sharing this love with tourists, she decided to create her own travel agency: Mountain Gods Peru. Her goals were twofold: to challenge the sexism within Peru’s tourism industry and to support her community. Her agency is fully staffed by local women. She has also created a women’s group – exclusively for widows, single moms, and divorced women – which sells crafts and teaches tourists about local culture. Revenues from her agency are used to pay for medicines, school supplies and clothes for her community.
Since the pandemic started in March 2020, the tourism industry in Peru has been devastated. No one is allowed to enter the country and Elizabeth is unable to schedule any tours. The impact on Mountain Gods Peru and the Chincheros community has been dramatic. Her community is 100% dependent on tourism and does not rely on any support from the local or federal government.
Elizabeth’s community is in dire need of food and medical care. They are struggling to meet basic needs. Without additional financial support, the wonderful people in Chincheros will soon go hungry and suffer illness.
Thank you in advance for supporting this wonderful community! Your donations will truly be life changing.
Photo credit: Ren Fuller
During the wonderful five-day journey that Elizabeth led us through, she told us the story of her journey and how Mountain Gods Peru came to be:
Elizabeth grew up surrounded by mountains, glaciers, forest, and archaeological sites – all of which nurtured her love for nature. Interested in sharing this love with tourists, she decided to create her own travel agency: Mountain Gods Peru. Her goals were twofold: to challenge the sexism within Peru’s tourism industry and to support her community. Her agency is fully staffed by local women. She has also created a women’s group – exclusively for widows, single moms, and divorced women – which sells crafts and teaches tourists about local culture. Revenues from her agency are used to pay for medicines, school supplies and clothes for her community.
Since the pandemic started in March 2020, the tourism industry in Peru has been devastated. No one is allowed to enter the country and Elizabeth is unable to schedule any tours. The impact on Mountain Gods Peru and the Chincheros community has been dramatic. Her community is 100% dependent on tourism and does not rely on any support from the local or federal government.
Elizabeth’s community is in dire need of food and medical care. They are struggling to meet basic needs. Without additional financial support, the wonderful people in Chincheros will soon go hungry and suffer illness.
Thank you in advance for supporting this wonderful community! Your donations will truly be life changing.
Photo credit: Ren Fuller
Fundraising team: WHOA Travel (2)
Marcela Tschang
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Danielle Thornton
Team member
