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Daily Life and Work in Awamaki's Programs
I. Introduction
I. (i) All About Awamaki
In The Beginning…
Where We Work
Who We Serve
I. (ii) What We Do
Women's Artisanal Cooperatives Program
Sustainable Tourism Program
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II. Volunteering and Interning with Awamaki
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III. Social Life and Leisure Activities
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II. (i) About Awamaki Volunteers and Interns
II. (ii) Requirements for Volunteering and Interning
II. (iii) Finding the Right Awamaki Placement
Women’s Artisanal Cooperatives Program
Sustainable Tourism Program
Marketing and Communications Program
Monitoring and Evaluations Program
Other Placements
Talk to a previous Awamaki volunteer or intern!
II. (iv) Work Schedule
Staffing the Fair Trade Store
II. (v) Volunteer and Intern Placement Advice
III. (i) Social Support
III. (ii) Outdoor Activities
III. (iii) Travel
III. (iv) Nightlife and Going Out
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IV. Organizational Support
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V. Other Services
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IV. (i) Orientation
IV. (ii) Office meetings
IV. (iii) Development Discussions
IV. (iv) Check-ins and Evaluations
V. (i) Housing
V. (ii) Spanish and Quechua Classes
V. (iii) Sustainable Tourism Offerings
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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I. Introduction
I. (i) All About Awamaki
In The Beginning…
Awamaki was formed in early 2009 to support a cooperative of 10 women weavers
from Patacancha, a rural Quechua community in the Andes of Peru. Awamaki’s
founders, Kennedy Leavens (USA) and Miguel Galdo (Peru), worked together at
Awamaki’s predecessor organization with the Patacancha weaving cooperative for
two years. When that organization lost funding, Miguel and Kennedy formed
Awamaki to continue their work with the weavers. Since then, the organization has
grown to include other programs in economic empowerment, education and skills
development, and sustainable community tourism.
Where We Work
Awamaki works in the town of Ollantaytambo, pronounced O-YAN-TIE-TAMBO, and
the surrounding communities. Most people refer to the town as Ollanta (O-YAN-TA),
which is easier and quicker to say! Ollantaytambo is situated between Cusco, the
capital city of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, a U.N. World Heritage site. A half million
tourists travel through Ollanta on their way to Machu Picchu every year and many
tourists stop in the town to visit its own ruins and attractions. Ollanta is in the
Sacred Valley, a beautiful and lush valley at a mere 2800 meters above sea level (or
9100 ft), but surrounded by imposing, almost vertical, mountains. Other towns in
the Sacred Valley include Urubamba, Pisac, and Calca. Volunteers and interns
typically live in Ollantaytambo when working with Awamaki. More information
about living in Ollantaytambo can be found in our Handbook for Living in
Ollantaytambo.
Who We Serve
The district of Ollantaytambo is deeply agricultural and includes over 30 rural
indigenous communities. Located in the heart of Cusco with a strong Andean
heritage, the area is exceptionally rich in folklore, history, and diverse cultural
expressions. Awamaki works with nearly 140 artisan women in six cooperatives in
five communities. The communities that we work with are Kelkanka which has a
weaving cooperative nineteen members, Huilloc which has a cooperative of ten wool
spinners, Puente Inca where our cooperative of fifteen knitters live, and Rumira, a
cooperative of 24 knitters as well as the home of our three seamstresses. Our largest
numbers of women come from Patacancha, which is home to 70 women in two
weaving cooperatives. These communities are much more rural than Ollantaytambo
and agriculture is the most important economic activity, with tourism a distant
second.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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The communities of Patacancha, Kelkanka, and Huilloc are located in the mountains
above Ollantaytambo about a 45min-2 hour drive away at around 3,800 meters
(12,500 feet). These communities maintain an agricultural way of life. Families live in
adobe homes with thatched roofs, speak primarily Quechua, and most weavers have
limited Spanish ability. Here, community members maintain strong cultural heritage,
continuing to wear the red hand-woven textile clothing that the area is known for.
Awamaki has tours available Monday through Saturday to our weaving communities
in Patacancha and Huilloc.
The communities of Rumira and Puente Inca are located just a 15-20 minute walk
outside of Ollantaytambo. Families in these communities speak mainly Spanish and
often have work in town, but still rely heavily on agricultural and are much poorer
than people who live in the town of Ollantaytambo. Puente Inca is located near the
Vilcanota river, which washed away most of the community in a flood in 2010,
prompting Awamaki to start working with a cooperative of knitters there as a way to
provide extra income to a community much in need. Currently Awamaki is working
with the communities of Rumira and Puente Inca to construct knitting centers so that
each cooperative will have a central place to hold meetings, store supplies and
inventory, and personally sell their products.
I. (ii) What We Do
Awamaki works with women and rural and indigenous families in Ollantaytambo
and the surrounding high Andean communities through our two main programs:
Women's Artisanal Cooperatives Program
We aim to conserve and revitalize the Andean traditions of weaving, knitting and
spinning by finding a market for hand-made textiles in an economy which is fast
modernizing (and where the value of textiles is losing relevance). In doing so we
help to empower indigenous women weavers and create the opportunity for
them to achieve a higher degree of financial independence. With this vision,
Awamaki sees rural, indigenous women as no longer marginalized and
disadvantaged; rather they will be empowered to participate in the modern
economy, recognizing the value of their Quechua heritage as a vehicle to do so.
We organize women's artisan cooperatives, provide skills-building workshops
(in spinning, weaving, knitting and sewing) and provide access to the market
through our Fair Trade Store in town, thereby allowing women to earn a reliable
income. Through Awamaki Lab, the product development arm of the Women’s
Artisanal Cooperatives Program, we aim to bridge the gap between weavers and
the international market, using fashion and design skills to appeal to an
international consumer base. Ultimately we hope to phase out Awamki's
presence as an intermediary in 10 years time by equipping Quechua women with
the capacity to appraise the value of their textiles and connect directly to a
consumer market.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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Sustainable Tourism Program
Awamaki’s Sustainable Tourism Program works to connect women, families and
the rural poor with the economic opportunities that tourism brings. We do this
through our homestay program, Quechua community visits, our weaving
education tourism program, artisan workshops, and Spanish and Quechua
language classes. We directly benefit community members by promoting
culturally sensitive tourism for the many visitors passing through
Ollantaytambo, granting foreigners with a unique insight into Quechua life and
providing local families with an additional income source.
The tourist economy is a significant force in Ollantaytambo, but too often
tourism is a disruptive presence creating traffic and noise with little local benefit
as tourists pass through town to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Awamaki
works to encourage visitors to stay longer in our beloved Ollantaytambo and to
spend their money in ways that produce tangible benefits for local individuals
and families. We also aim to provide meaningful cultural experiences to tourists,
raising awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism
practices among them.
II. Volunteering and Interning with Awamaki
II. (i) About Awamaki Volunteers and Interns
Our volunteer base primarily consists of Americans, but we also get a good turn out
of volunteers from Canada, Britain, Australia, France, Germany and more! Our
volunteers come from many walks of life, providing a diverse pool of background,
experience, skills, and perspectives. Our average Awamaki volunteers are usually
aged between 20 and 27 years, but we always welcome people of all ages - from high
school grads on their gap year to folks looking for an adventure after retirement. Our
volunteers’ unique combination of individual motivation, hard work, and eclectic
skills is essential to the running of our programs!
II. (ii) Requirements for Volunteering and Interning
We want volunteers and interns to have a rewarding experience during their time
with Awamaki. For this reason we require a minimum 10 week commitment. If
you are unable to make a 10-week commitment please see the Service Travel section
below. This allows volunteers and interns to take leadership of their own projects
and make a significant contribution to Awamaki’s programs. All applicants are
required to send us their CV, fill out our application form, and have an interview with
us before receiving a placement. This is to ensure that we only accept dedicated,
responsible volunteers and interns who are able to contribute to our programs in
significant ways. Some positions require significant previous experience, such as
fashion design skills, while others require more general skills, such a clear
communication, allowing for a wide range of individuals to find a position in
Awamaki that fits for him or her.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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Spanish level
We value volunteers and interns with a significant knowledge of Spanish. This
makes many tasks much easier, whether that is communicating with our Spanishspeaking staff members or shopping for materials around town. We strongly
encourage 3-month volunteers and interns to have an intermediate knowledge of
Spanish and 6-month volunteers and interns to have an advanced knowledge of
Spanish. If your Spanish does not meet these requirements, we strongly encourage
you to complete the intermediate or advanced levels at the Awamaki Language
Centre at the beginning of your stay. More information about our Spanish classes is
on p. 11.
Service Travel – Opportunities for 3-10 weeks
Although we highly recommend coming through our main volunteer and intern
program we understand that not everyone is able to commit ten weeks to Awamaki.
For those individuals looking for a placement between 3-10 weeks we offer a Service
Travel Program. The Service Travel is a short-term volunteer program designed to
offer a fully supported cultural and educational experience to participants. The
program blends language education, homestays, cultural activities, and short-term
service projects within Awamaki.
II. (iii) Finding the Right Awamaki Placement
Before applying to volunteer or intern with us, you should try to decide in which
areas you would like to work. Program placements should reflect individuals’ specific
interests and desires, as well as the skills and experience that they are able to offer.
As mentioned above, some programs require more specific previous skills and
experience than others.
Placements are often flexible and it is common for volunteers and interns to
experiment or perform tasks in different programs in addition to longer-term
projects in his or her primary program. Some individuals even find that their work
falls between two different programs. However, most importantly placement work
always reflects a combination of their program’s needs and the individuals’ own
capacity and personal initiative. Below are specific descriptions of typical tasks and
projects within each of our program areas:
Women’s Artisanal Cooperatives Program
Individual or collaborative projects that Women’s Artisanal Cooperatives volunteers
and interns engage in can range from sales to product design to communicating with
clients depending on the season as well as the volunteer or intern’s area of skills and
interest. Projects may include:
Design and Production
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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Work side-by-side with members of our sewing, knitting and weaving associations to
create garments and accessories that value the woven textile and craft traditions
native to the Sacred Valley. Support Awamaki staff and co-op members to fulfill
orders or to buy materials.
Product Development and Sales
Get involved with the sourcing, development, and creation of product pieces. Product
development may also include creating sales material or conducting market
research.
Sustainable Tourism Program
Volunteering or interning with Awamaki’s Sustainable Tourism Program offers a
unique opportunity to both educate the responsible traveler and to interact with the
local community. In the Sustainable Tourism Program, your work can include:
Staff the Awamaki Fair Trade Store:
Help staff the Awamaki Fair Trade Store (approximately 9 hrs per week). This is our
local platform for selling tours. While you work you can inform tourists about
Awamaki, what we do, and what we have to offer!
Guide:
Sustainable Tourism volunteers and interns take visitors to the nearby indigenous
communities of Patacancha and Huilloc to lead respectful and sustainable Quechua
community visits, and educate travelers about the traditional weaving techniques
and Awamaki’s fair trade initiatives. Volunteers and interns can expect to guide halfday tours and a three-day weaving tour in the Quechua communities, as well as
attending and translating for the Peruvian cooking, woodcarving, and ceramics
workshops in Ollantaytambo.
Capstone Project:
The Sustainable Tourism Program is young and growing rapidly. We are constantly
designing and implementing systems to make our tours more mission-driven and of
higher quality - not to mention increase our client volume. Volunteers and interns
help with this endeavor by completing a capstone project that both satisfies their
personal goals and benefits the organization. Projects could be helping us create a
tour evaluation system, improving our store display and reservation processes, or
creating materials to boost tourism throughout the Sacred Valley.
Marketing and Communications Program
The Marketing and Communications Program includes everything from social media
management to creating flyers. There are several areas a volunteer or intern can get
involved in:
Social Media - Write blog posts for the Awamaki website, maintain Awamaki’s social
media sites with interesting content, campaign management, and craft emails or
newsletters.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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Media Generation – Attend and document events, design graphics for a multitude of
needs, and use Awamaki media to create flyers, information packets, etc.
**When applying for this program please submit examples of past work along
with your cv**
Monitoring and Evaluations Program
The Monitoring and Evaluation program seeks to better understand the social impact
Awamaki brings to the local community and the economic opportunities it provides
to the members of the business cooperatives. The primary tasks of volunteers and
interns in the Monitoring and Evaluation program are to assist with surveys, focus
groups, interviews and data recording with the members of the woman's business
cooperatives; analyze collected data; assist with planning, and attend, capacitybuilding workshops for the women's artisanal cooperatives; document workshops
and the content the participants learned; and prepare data that will be used for
Awamaki's grant reports. Volunteers and interns in this program are expected to
have some statistical background as well as skills in data management.
Other Placements
Sometimes Awamaki recruits volunteers or interns for projects that don’t fall directly
into one of our main programs. These positions depend on our specific needs at a
individual’s time of arrival and also depend on the specialized skills that these
individuals are able to offer. One possibility is working with educational groups.
Keep an eye out for these kinds of postings on idealist.org. If you have your own skill
you are eager to share, get in touch with us and let us know!
Talk to a previous Awamaki volunteer or intern!
Prospective volunteers and interns are always welcome to contact previous
volunteers and interns to find out more about what it is like to work with Awamaki
and live in Ollantaytambo. Just let us know if you want to be put in touch with
someone. Wherever possible, we will try and match you with someone from your
state/province (for the USA and Canada) or country (for outside the USA).
II. (iv) Work Schedule
Life in Ollantaytambo is slow-paced, and we want volunteers and interns to be able
to relax and enjoy their time here even as they dive into their project work. In
general volunteers and interns are expected to work at least 30 hours per week
Monday through Thursday with the understanding that schedules vary depending on
your program placement and the specific projects you are working on.
Volunteers and interns are always welcome to work in the volunteer lounge at the
Awamaki office and have access to our wireless Internet during office hours.
However, our connection is not at the speed you will be used to at home, so during
work hours we ask that everyone reserve his or her Internet use to project-related
tasks. Volunteers and interns are also welcome to work from home or from one of
our beloved local cafés. After office-hours volunteers and interns are welcome to use
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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the Internet at the office for personal tasks or for keeping in contact with friends and
family at home.
Staffing the Fair Trade Store
During our weekly office meeting, volunteers, interns, and staff sign up for shifts in
the fair trade store for the week. The store is typically open from 11am to 6pm seven
days a week, in two 3.5-hour shifts, or 9am to 6pm, in three 3-hour shifts, depending
on the time of year. All volunteers and interns are required to work 2-3 shifts
per week in the store including 2-3 weekend shifts a month (Sat. or Sun.) This
may fluctuate slightly depending on the number of people available. Awamaki staff
always work the store shifts on Fridays so that this day is free for volunteers and
interns. We make sure not to schedule store shifts or meetings for volunteers or
interns on Fridays so that they can take advantage of opportunities to travel and
relax together.
II. (v) Volunteer and Intern Placement Advice
Being an Awamaki volunteer or intern is a two way street. Many people arrive
hoping to make a big difference and “change the world”. However, it is essential to
realize that volunteers and interns generally get back at least as much as they give
during their experience as a result of the personal growth that happens naturally
when living and working in another culture. In other words, the volunteer or intern
experience is just as much about learning as it is about serving. It is very important
to keep this in mind when interacting with local people or dealing with the
challenges of everyday life in Andean Peru.
All volunteers and interns will have the opportunity to apply their own creativity,
develop their own projects and go home feeling like they contributed. However,
making a real difference takes extended time and does not always feel especially
glamorous. Some day-to-day tasks, especially during the beginning of a placement,
might not feel immediately rewarding, but are a necessary part of helping and getting
to know the work of the organization. It helps to understand that there needs to be a
balance between personal initiative and the willingness to help wherever help is
needed. This is why the happiest volunteers and interns come willing to be flexible
and open to new ideas, ready to observe first, and then assert themselves diligently
as they develop their own projects.
III. Social Life and Leisure Activities
III. (i) Social Support
All Awamaki volunteers and interns have the right to a sense of community. This
doesn’t mean that we want to trap you in an Awamaki bubble, we just know that it
can be tough and sometimes lonely to adapt to a dramatically new place far away
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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from your friends and family. Plus, volunteers and interns tend to be a lot happier
and more engaged in their work if they feel socially connected right from the start.
Awamaki staff and volunteers tend to be diverse, passionate individuals who really
want to learn and experience while here, so why not get to know each other?
Once you arrive, you will be paired with a volunteer buddy, someone who has
already been here for a month or so, and that person will give you a tour of the town,
have a coffee with you, and tell you what it is like to be an Awamaki volunteer or
intern from an honest and personal perspective. We also make sure that volunteers
and interns have opportunities to meet people once they arrive by planning a
number of social events, including pizza dinners, a night at Porfi’s Pub, a movie night,
or a potluck dinner at someone’s house or the Awamaki office. We keep a calendar in
the office that volunteers and staff are always welcome to use if they want to plan
something and we encourage volunteers and interns to go on weekend trips and
hikes together.
III. (ii) Outdoor Activities
There are many spectacular hikes and sights in Ollantaytambo that volunteers and
interns can enjoy in a day or a weekend. If you want to climb to the top of a waterfall
to spend the night sleeping among ancient ruins, ride horses to an ancient Inca
quarry, or just take a morning walk up a mountain with a view of towering glaciers,
you will find yourself in luck here! You will get a copy of Awamaki’s Walks, Hikes
and Treks guide when you arrive, which is a great way to explore a lot of fascinating
archeological sites on your own. You can also find various adventure sports in
nearby tour agencies.
III. (iii) Travel
While we discourage volunteers or interns from taking long trips in the middle of
their placement, there are many destinations that can be enjoyed in a weekend or
less. In the Cusco region, you can see the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, the ruins of
Pisac, the hot mineral baths of Lares, or the cloud forests of Quillabamba. The city of
Cusco, a wonderland of ancient and colonial architecture, and a destination for
everything from raw foods restaurants to rock and reggae bars, is only an hour and a
half away. Fabulous weekend destinations outside of Cusco include Arequipa, the
“white city of Peru” surrounded by three volcanoes, and Lake Titicaca, a veritable
ocean located nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level and home to
fascinating Quechua and Aymara island communities.
III. (iv) Nightlife and Going Out
Ollantaytambo is a small town, so don’t expect to find nightlife comparable to a
larger town or city. There are a few decent bars around town that volunteers and
interns can enjoy. However, you are never going to have the anonymity of a big city
in Ollantaytambo and everywhere you go, you will see people who know or
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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recognize you. There is more of a local nightlife in nearby Urubamba, and a lot of
great bars and clubs in Cusco that cater to foreign visitors.
IV. Organizational Support
IV. (i) Orientation
Before you even arrive, we will do our best to make sure that you feel informed,
connected to the organization, and have a general understanding of the work in
which you will be involved. Upon your arrival you’ll receive an orientation schedule
for your first two weeks that includes project development meetings with program
coordinators, a presentation about Awamaki’s current work and goals, a run-down of
practical and cultural considerations in Ollantaytambo, and a discussion of the rights
and responsibilities of being a volunteer or intern. The challenges of transitioning to
local life are balanced out with social events including dinners, hikes, and movie
nights to make sure that volunteers and interns feel socially connected.
IV. (ii) Office meetings
Throughout your time volunteering or interning, you will attend a brief office
meeting every week with all volunteers, interns, and staff. This is a time to hear
about the work that is going on throughout Awamaki, to make announcements,
coordinate projects, and discuss any topic with the group. This is also an opportunity
to announce social events, possibly volunteer for projects outside of your program,
and get to know the whole Awamaki team. You will also have weekly meetings
within your program to coordinate project work.
IV. (iii) Development Discussions
We run a weekly workshop in which volunteers and interns share their experiences
and challenges living in Ollantaytambo, as well as learn about development, the
culture, recent history of Andean Peru, and related academic topics. This is one way
for volunteers and interns to connect and adapt together, and also provides an
academic component during their time at Awamaki. In addition, this is a time in
which volunteers’ and interns are able to learn more about individual Awamaki staff
members.
IV. (iv) Check-ins and Evaluations
We try to proactively help volunteers and interns with any problems they may have
and improve the quality of the volunteer and intern program over time. This
includes regular check-ins with the Volunteer Coordinator and each volunteer or
intern’s Program Coordinator. It also includes feedback questionnaires about
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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homestays and other aspects of the Awamaki experience that we use to monitor the
quality of our programs.
V. Other Services
V. (i) Housing
All volunteers and interns are expected to stay with one of Awamaki’s homestay
families for their first two weeks in Ollantaytambo. Awamaki carefully selects its
homestay families and teaches them how to host international volunteers. We also
strive to match volunteers with the right family for them based on their personal
needs and preferences. We also support volunteers and interns with information
about homestay behavior expectations and cultural norms to help them adjust once
they arrive. Volunteer homestays cost approx. $100 per week, of which almost all
goes directly to the families. Tourists are charged a higher price.
After the first two weeks volunteers move into the volunteer house with the other
Awamaki volunteers and interns for the remainder of their time in Ollantaytambo. In
the volunteer house volunteers are provided with cooked meals during the work
week (Mon- Thurs) and are able request specific foods to prepare independently on
the weekends. The cost of living in the volunteer house is $100 per week and is paid
for in advance.
V. (ii) Spanish and Quechua Classes
The Awamaki Language Center runs a Spanish Teacher’s cooperative staffed by local
women who have completed comprehensive training programs. If you are not at an
intermediate Spanish level at your time of arrival, we strongly recommend that you
take Spanish classes until completing our intermediate level. If you are here for 6
months or more, we recommend completing the advanced level. Being able to
communicate in Spanish is key for living in Peru. A class with a private teacher costs
20 soles an hour, or about $7/hr. Schedules are flexible and can be set for any
number of hours, 8am – 7pm, seven days per week. This is something we can
schedule prior to arrival or when you arrive. We can also arrange Quechua classes
for the same price, with the same teachers, all of whom are native Quechua speakers.
V. (iii) Sustainable Tourism Offerings
All volunteers and interns have a two night, three day Weaving Immersion Workshop
in Patacancha included as part of their volunteer donation. Awamaki’s Sustainable
Tourism offerings include many other fantastic opportunities to gain cultural
immersion experiences, including the natural dyes immersion workshop in
Parobamba, or artisan classes in pottery, cooking and carpentry. Volunteers receive
a discount on all tours and workshops.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”
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V. (iv) Earning College Credit
Volunteers and interns can now earn college credit for volunteering or interning with
Awamaki by coupling your position with Omprakash EdGE. Omprakash EdGE is an
accredited online volunteer education program partnering with Florida State
University. To learn more visit https://www.omprakash.org/edge.
“Awamaki collaborates with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic
opportunities and improve social well-being.”