Support VT Students' Service-Learning Project in Pisac, Peru

We are a group of 11 students from Virginia Tech, and from May 19th until May 31st, we will be embarking on a Service-Learning Trip to Pisac, Peru, to make a meaningful impact on the local community and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.

Our primary project will be building adobe masonry signs for El Parque de la Papa (The Potato Park), a cultural and historical site that holds significant importance for the local Andean communities. These signs will be placed at key locations throughout the park, including at Paru Paru and Sacaca, to help guide visitors while showcasing the rich agricultural history of the region.

In addition to the adobe masonry construction, we will be taking part in other community-focused work, including landscaping and site enhancement. These efforts are aimed at improving the park's appeal, helping it attract more visitors, and promoting the importance of sustainable agriculture and cultural preservation.

According to ANDES, the organization behind the park, "The Potato Park focuses on protecting and preserving the critical role and interdependency of indigenous biocultural heritage for local rights (IBCH), ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including protecting the most important crop for their survival: potatoes." By contributing to this project, we are helping the park not only safeguard its agricultural traditions but also support the indigenous communities in maintaining their cultural heritage and sustainable farming practices.

We are partnering with Peacework, a non-profit organization and logistics partner, to help plan our travel and ensure our work is impactful. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to Peacework to cover the materials, tools, and resources we need for the construction and landscaping work. Every donation, big or small, will directly support the tools and materials that will help us build the adobe masonry signs and enhance the park's sites.

Your support means the world to us and to the community of Pisac. By contributing, you’re not only helping us complete this important project, but also playing a part in preserving the cultural heritage of the region and supporting sustainable tourism. We are excited for the opportunity to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact, and we can’t do it without your help. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!