Our Chairman and Founder, José Luis Herrera, believes in the power of education, and he has established ARI as a leader in creating and implementing high-value educational programs to insure the ongoing wellbeing of indigenous communities in Peru, beginning with our work in Maras and extending through the Sacred Valley.
Thanks to your generous support, our new Headquarters in Maras is up and running, and we’ve had several seasons of successful language and art classes for the children of Maras. We’ve also been able to furnish one of our classrooms with new computers, new custom desks, and security measures to keep the equipment safe. We’re excited to be adding core communication and computer technology skills to our curriculum!
As always, we’re visioning the evolution of our dream, and these are some of the programs we’re hoping to add in the near future:
- A pottery kiln and pottery classes to create another artisanal profession and income stream
- Classes in hygiene, cooking, and food production using green houses so communities can take charge of their health and nurturance and gain skills needed to attract tourism
- A sustainable tourism program, including family-owned hostels and cultural education events for tourists, to create more income streams into the village
- A licensed radio station housed in our new Headquarters to increase our communications with rural areas
- Expansion of the current English Language classes for children and young adults
- Expansion of our Arts Program and local Artists School, including student art demonstrations and exhibits
- Expansion of ARI’s highly successful Women’s Weaving program
