Luis Callisaya is a dear friend of many of us who work in and around Tiwanaku. Luis is a generous and warmhearted colleague who, along with his family, has supported Bolivian archaeology for decades. Luis’s mother, Delia, has long offered care and hospitality to Bolivian and international students and researchers. His father, César, has played a pivotal role in facilitating research in the altiplano: he helped develop the grassroots Asociación de Trabajadores en Arqueología de Tiwanaku, served as a conservator for Bolivia’s Institute of Archaeology prior to his retirement, and continues to be an indispensable contributor to Bolivian archaeology. Luis carries this legacy forward as a first-generation college graduate in archaeology, deeply committed to the investigation and protection of Bolivian cultural heritage.

Tragically, over the holiday season, Lourdes Choquehuanca, who is Luis’s wife and the mother of their almost two year old daughter Leyla, was struck by a hit-and-run driver near La Paz and suffered serious injuries. Lourdes sustained fractures to 20 of her bones, including 15 ribs, her pelvis, sacrum, clavicle, tibia, and fibula, and serious damage to her lungs. She is now stable following critical rib surgery, which cost over 80,000 bolivianos (approximately 11,000 USD). However, she requires additional surgeries and ongoing care to fully recover, which are projected to cost more than 200,000 bolivianos (~29,000 USD). We are raising funds to help cover these remaining medical expenses, as her family does not have the means to cover the necessary treatment.

To understand the urgency of this situation, it is important to know that in Bolivia, access to comprehensive medical care is extremely difficult unless one is formally employed by the government or a large institution. Many people, especially independent researchers, artisans, and community workers like Luis, do not have secured employment or health coverage. As a result, emergency and specialized care is often provided through private or semi-private clinics, or small hospitals, which function as the primary option for trauma care but require patients to pay in cash out of their pocket. Lourdes is currently receiving care in one of these hospitals in El Alto, which is considered relatively affordable by local standards, yet the costs are still overwhelming for a family without stable income or insurance. The families of Luis and Lourdes have already reached their financial limit and need our help. Please consider supporting these wonderful colleagues, friends, and parents.

Organized by some of Luis’s archaeology friends in North America,

Jonah Augustine

Deborah Blom

Maria Bruno

José Capriles Flores

Christine Hastorf

Maribel Pérez Arias

Andy Roddick

For transparency’s sake: the money donated will be initially sent to Deborah’s personal bank account since GoFundMe cannot directly transfer money to Bolivian accounts. Our plan is to send the money to Luis via Western Union, which is the most secure option. The precise amount that Luis receives will be affected by fluctuating exchange rates and transfer charges.

Also, please pay attention: GoFundeMe automatically adds a 17% "tip" to your donation. This tip would go to the website and not the fund. You can remove this tip if you choose.

If you have any questions, please reach out!