CCoccaccollo town, located at 3,610 meters /11,844 feet above sea level is a town which is as notoriously cold as the poverty that afflicts it. Approximately 124 humble families live in this little hamlet.
- Language: Quechua.
- Location: Taray.
- Province: Calca.
On Sunday July 21, 2019 we headed to the community of Ccoccaccollo with two of our foreign tourists. They had expressed interest and we thought they would do a great job of connecting with the local children and give them a truly authentic experience of Peruvian culture. We were very excited about doing this project with the children of the small town of Ccaccaccollo, about an hour’s journey from Cusco, on the way to the start of the Inca Trail in Ollantaytambo.
While our bus drove through some beautiful countryside on the way to Ccaccaccollo, the group of children waited anxiously for our arrival. Although they were shy when we first arrived, they soon opened up and joined us on the bus for the adventure that was about to begin.
We headed to our first destination, which was Pisaq. Pisaq surprised the children so much, not only because of the majesty that can be viewed with the naked eye of the stonework of the ruins, but even more so by the secrets that were revealed, hidden in the walls and history of these phenomenally beautiful ruins. Our guide, Daniel, shared so much fascinating information about this site, the children felt that they had been magically transported to a time in the past, and were absolutely bubbling with questions!.
By the end of the tour of Pisaq, half a day had already passed and everyone was getting hungry, so we then made the one-hour drive to Urubamba where the children had a very special treat. We took them to a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, where our children loaded their plates again and again until they were completely satisfied. Amid the laughter and animated conversations about all they had experienced in the day so far, we finished up our lunch. Without further ado and with very full bellies, we then went to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.
So different from Pisaq, but equally fascinating, with its imposing stonework and terraces, Daniel shared the stories with these children – who are the descendants of the Inca – of the history of the power of the Inca Empire. You could see the sense of pride wash over their little faces as they learned so much about their ancestors, the architecture, history, religion, and Andean cosmovision. By 4:00 we had finished our tour and all were ready to return to their village.
Our group of students arrived back in their village safe and sound. The parents were all there waiting to receive their children and hear the tales of their Grand Adventures. We could see that the parents were so grateful to us for taking their children to experience some of the culture that they otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to get to visit. The children, full of new experiences and gratitude gave us warm hugs all around and beautiful smiles that filled our hearts with joy. We always receive this kind of happy farewell during the cultural Sundays that we share with the little ones that are FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY.
“The teaching that leaves its mark is not what is done from head to head, but from heart to heart. Howard G. Hendricks.
