Just Back From… a Peru Journey with Positive Impact
An adventure through Peru’s Sacred Valley is filled with extraordinary experiences, from the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu to the small villages tucked into the Andes.
But getting to know the region also means spending time with the people who call it home, and learning from their traditions and daily lives. Working with Abercrombie & Kent, WhirlAway’s Jamie Jones helped arrange an eight-day journey for Shawn and Lori Orenstein, who traveled with two friends as part of an 18-person group. During one day of the trip, they visited several projects supported by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, meeting local residents and learning how these initiatives benefit their communities. Here, Shawn shares three experiences that left a lasting impression.
A Visit with a Quechua Community
The Experience
The first stop took Shawn and Lori to a Quechua community, where locals are preserving the ancestral art of weaving. During their visit, residents demonstrated traditional weaving techniques, explaining how they use earth-derived color recipes handed down over generations. Ingredients include blue flower petals, green leaves, orange and yellow tree bark, and pink insects called cochineals. In their workshop, the artisans dip wool yarn into cauldrons of the natural pigments, hang it to dry, then use giant looms to weave the material into blankets, clothing, and other textiles. The guests learned about the local plants and herbs, and how they’re also used to treat different ailments.
The Connection
For Shawn and Lori, the warmth of the welcome made their visit especially memorable. Residents taught the group their local dances and invited them to join in, then ended the morning with a hot cup of Muña tea. “They were so proud of their heritage and being able to share it with us,” says Shawn.
The Takeaway
Shawn says it was fascinating to spend time with a community so passionate about preserving its traditions, particularly as younger generations become less familiar with Quechua culture. “It makes you appreciate the fact that they are trying so hard to keep this ancient culture alive,” he says, adding that he’ll never forget how happy, loving, and peaceful the community was.
A Ceremony with a Shaman
The Experience
After leaving the Quechua community, they traveled to a nearby private enclave, where they met with a local shaman who led them in a traditional Andean practice known as a Despacho ceremony for Mother Earth. The concept is based on reciprocity, and giving back to nature to maintain harmony with the world. Each person received three coca leaves, were told to make a wish into them, then dropped them into a cloth. The shaman added other ingredients (flowers, seeds, grains), sang and prayed over the offering, then bundled it all up and said he’d later burn it together—an act meant to carry the collective prayers and gratitude to the heavens.
The Connection
As the ceremony ended, the shaman offered an individual prayer over each guest, making the experience personal as well as communal. For Shawn, Lori, and most of the group, this was an unfamiliar experience that gave them another perspective on the beliefs and traditions of the region.
The Takeaway
“This was all about giving back to Mother Earth and how important the Earth is to their people, to their culture,” Shawn says. “None of us knew what to expect, but it was really, really special.”
A Visit to Niños del Arco Iris School
The Experience
Later that day, they traveled to Niños del Arco Iris, “Children of the Rainbow School.” Set on a mountainside overlooking the small city of Urubamba, the non-profit pre-K and primary school—an Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy-supported project since 2008—serves some 200 children from surrounding communities where poverty, food insecurity, and difficult home circumstances can make daily life challenging. Here, the group toured the grounds, including the library, kitchen, cafeteria, and soccer area. They learned about the extensive support given to the children in addition to schooling, including personalized nutrition programs, dental care, and visits with psychologists and doctors.
The Connection
The children greeted Shawn and Lori with songs, hugs, and personal gifts: paper bookmarks they handmade for each guest. On this day, the school’s founder, Helena van Engelen, happened to be visiting as well (see photo, above left). About 30 years ago, she was vacationing in the area when a priest urged her to come back and help the local community. In 2005, “Mamita Helena” as she’s now known, founded the small school. “We were all just humbled by her and the work that all the people are doing there,” Shawn says.
The Takeaway
“These kids were so grateful and appreciative,” Shawn adds. “We were told that many of them come from very difficult circumstances and this is a place where they feel safe and protected, and thrive and grow. We’re grateful we got the chance to see the impact that the school is making on the children’s lives. We left saying we hope it can expand and grow, and we want to help.”
