Awamaki Supports Quechua Weavers in Peru's Sacred Valley Through Cooperatives and Tourism

Founded in 2009 by Kennedy Leavens and Miguel Galdo, the nonprofit Awamaki assists nine cooperatives comprising 174 artisans and community members around Ollantaytambo, Cusco. These Quechua communities in Peru's Sacred Valley have traditionally relied on subsistence farming and bartering, but cash-based services and tourism have shifted their economy. Many men now work in tourism, while women often remain at home, caring for children and farms. Awamaki provides structural support for selling woven goods and coordinating tourism, helping women achieve financial independence while preserving traditional spinning, dyeing, and weaving techniques. The climate crisis, with melting glaciers and dwindling water supplies, disproportionately impacts the region, making economic resilience crucial. Programs like Murmur Ring's immersion will bring creatives to the area in June. Artisans like Ricardina from Cusci Qoyllur, Daniela from Puskariy Tika, and Nadia from Rumia emphasize how this work allows them to maintain cultural practices, teach children, and improve their lives. The organization focuses on creating opportunities compatible with cultural continuity, mentoring new artisans within communities to keep knowledge community-held.