One of our founding principles is to ensure that local communities reap the benefits of tourism, without having to sacrifice their traditional culture and lifestyle. From day 1, we’ve been committed to providing work to the people whose communities we trek through as porters and muleteers. These are rural indigenous communities, where the language spoken is Quechua and few economic opportunities exist other than agriculture.
Each community elects a Head Porter who organizes work for the rest of the porters in their community. Head Porters are not only integral to our operations, but are also integral members of their community, and frequently hold other offices in the community government or Parents’ Association, which oversees education.
In order to provide some economic stability, we book porters and muleteers at the beginning of each month. This allows them to plan and removes some of the stress of economic uncertainty. This is why we ask you to book as early in advance as possible!
Simply by offering fair, well-paid employment, we are providing new opportunities for the men in these communities. For many there are no alternatives as the nearest urban center might be a 4-5 hour walk away. Even for those who can make this trek, the effect on their home life and community can be disastrous as they leave behind their loved ones and disrupt communal bonds.
Studies show that when women have their own income, the health and well-being of children improve at a greater rate than if men have sole control of the family resources. Since 2008 we have been supporting the creation of economic opportunities for women through traditional weaving.
>> Read more about our cultural revitalization projects.
These days, our greatest effort to support women’s economic development and women’s empowerment is through our support of Threads of Peru.