How 50 cents can save the life of a cria, and change the lives of families in Peru The Nunoa Project was started by Dr. Stephen Purdy, DVM, Brooke Thomas PhD, and a group of like-minded members of the alpaca community who are concerned about the welfare of the people, children and animals of Peru. This is a country that is home to the world's largest population of alpacas. Routine veterinary care is non existent. The population depends entirely upon the alpaca for its livelihood. Nuñoa (pronounced Nunyoa) is about halfway between Cuzco and Lake Titicaca on the high slopes of the eastern Andes above 13,000 feet in elevation. The Nuñoa River that flows through town comes, in part, from the Quilccaya Glacier, the largest in the tropics. The town has about 7000 residents who speak Quechua and Spanish; the district (comparable to a county) has a population of about 14,000. About a third of the households in the district are impoverished and hence have difficulties meeting their basic needs. Grazing land in the Nuñoa District is some the best on the Altiplano and the alpaca density the highest. As such the town prides itself as the Suri capital of the world. Most small herders have alpacas (yes, Huacayas too), llamas, sheep, some cattle, and horses. While principally herders, most households raise potatoes, other tubers, and Andean cereals (quinoa and cañihua). In 2008 an orphanage, built by an American priest who resides in the area, was to be assigned another function by the new bishop. The children would have to find alternative housing with friends or relatives. This dilemma served to intensify the efforts of teh Nunoa Project. Individuals gave in small and large amounts and Nunoa Project raised about $5000 to buy a property and have architectural plans drawn up. The plas is to reais an additional $4,000 now to build a perimeter wall around the site and to purchase two additional lots which will be used for garden and animal space. The orphanage will house 15 children full time and provide lunch for an additional 30 each day. Two local people will reside with the children to take care of their daily needs including support for school attendance. $50,000 is needed to complete the building project this year. The local priest, Father Paul Habing, has assisted through every step and has been an invaluable resource. Recently, he made the Nuñoa Project co-owners of his Mamaniri Ranch (not church affiliated) and 800 alpacas. This affords a wonderful opportunity to improve herd quality, serving as a demonstration farm from which to assist herders in the area. Plans are to improve the living conditions of the three pastoral families who work on the farm and to form a consortium of veterinary schools in the northeast that can contribute to this effort. This community that is so dependent upon the health of its alpaca herd regularly suffers from a cria death rate of approximately 35%. A vaccine that costs only $.50 per animal could make great headway in lowering this death rate, which in turn could result in a great improvement in the lives of families in Nunoa.
The Nunoa Project is inviting the American alpaca community to participate in the improvement of lives of families that are herding alpacas in Peru. Even the smallest contribution can have a great impact on Nunoa. The efforts of generations of South American alpaca breeders have greatly improved the lives of all in the American alpaca community. Now we can return the great favor.
You can also donate directly by clicking HERE To learn more about the Nunoa Project, go to www.NunoaProject.org |
The farmeers are vey poor people, often only able to provide one meal a day for their children with the reulting issues associated with malnutrition and disease. These are the areas the Nunoa Project focuses on solving. Stimulation of the local economy will provide self-sustaining solutions to these problems. 
