Cuylandia !

Imagine that your home and all of your belongings were suddenly washed away. Imagine that your source of income (corn crop, cattle, chickens, Guinea Pigs) were also washed away. No home, no clothes, no place to sleep, no way to feed you and your family.

That is exactly what happened to 30 families in a small community called Paucarbamba. How would you like to help make a difference in the lives of these families that lost their homes and means of income in the devastating floods around Cusco, Peru in January?

Desana is part of a joint venture that is putting together a recovery program to help the village of Paucarbamba. Instead of taking handouts, these people have asked for help rebuilding their economic base.....livestock. In this case, Cuy (Guinea Pigs). Most Andean Campesinos (farmers) will have Cuy (guinea pigs) running around their house, close to the oven where it is warm. Cuy are a popular delicacy in the Andes in Peru and they are consumed on special occasions by the Campesinos and more regularly, by tourists in Cusco.

One of our hopes for the community is that they become self sufficient through a Cuy Project. Cuy are ready to eat and sell after 2 or 3 months if reared properly and there is significant profit to be made which will help the community rebuild their houses and lessen their dependence on our food donations.

The name of the project is Cuylandia - Guinea Pig Land.

Here is what you can do to help:

• Purchase 5 Guinea Pigs? - $30USD (each Guinea Pig costs $6)
• Sponsor the Guinea Pig Facility - Help pay for the Agronomist - $500USD
• Sponsor part of the Guinea Pig Facility - help pay for the Guinea Pig food - $100USD
• Give what you can...... just enter your donation amount. Remember, 100% of your donation goes to this project.