Ccorca

In order to tell the story of the Ccorca District, one must first describe its neighbouring city, Cusco, which now plays such a dominant role in Ccorca's story. Since Machu Pichu was discovered by the western world in 1911, Cusco has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city of 350,000 people now runs on tourism which is its only sizeable industry. The advent of tourism has been the driving force behind the modernisation of Cusco, the beacon of which has perhaps been the recent establishment of a McDonalds in the main square.

It is strange to think that just an hour from a McDonalds, on the other side of the mountain, there lies Ccorca; a handful of mud-hutted Quechua communities where 95% of its 2,500 inhabitants are self-sufficient farmers. Ccorca is comprised of 8 small communities (click here to learn more about the communities of Ccorca), all of which have recently been installed with electricity and running water. At an altitude of 3,600m the climate here is severe and eking a subsistence from the land not easy. Despite a constant struggle to survive, Ccorca is just one district in the Andes that has prospered for thousands of years, thanks to a culture built upon respect, co-operation and frugality.

The effects of the tourist boom in Cusco have gradually seeped into the Ccorca district, undermining the local economy, education and the way of life in general. Ccorca now firmly exists within the confines of western society and the global market, where its people face economic domination and alienation. People have lost faith in their 'backwards' way of life, which is ridiculed by the 'modern' Peruvians. Alcoholism amongst men is rife and with that comes domestic violence. 61% of women in the region of Cusco have been affected by domestic abuse, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world for women to be in their own homes.

Women have suffered hugely since modernisation. According to research carried out in 2005 by Plan International, 35% of men living in Ccorca are illiterate while 62% of women can do no more than sign there own name. The woman is typically left behind. As a result, her status within the family and the community falls, as does her self-esteem.

Many anthropologists are bewildered by the way many communities in the Andes not only survived the Spanish conquest but also maintained their culture. The question now is whether these communities will survive modernisation and how much suffering will take place in the process...

The Education

Through education the children of Ccorca, have an opportunity to overcome the situation they find themselves in. Fifty years ago, the Peruvian state introduced schools into Ccorca. The community were hopeful that this would improve their situations. The current curriculum is based on the Human Capital Education, a model focused on preparing students for jobs that will contribute to Peru’s economic development. Most educational material presents a reality of a middle class urban context, totally different from the rural highlands of Ccorca.

At the age of 7, children begin walking up to 8 hours daily in order to attend their nearest school (have a look at a map of Ccorca here). Teachers and parents complain that the children are too tired to concentrate and frequently fall asleep in class. As young people leave their traditional education behind, they are alienated from their communities, their families and ultimately their own identity. The ineffective western education means they are ill prepared for an urban lifestyle and are particularly vulnerable to the threats and temptations of the city.

During several meetings with parents, children and community members, we have heard that schools should teach rural skills, which are useful in the communities themselves. The parents advocate an inter-cultural schooling, which draws on teaching from both the western and Andean cultures. The parents also confirmed that the local schools should help to retain their ancestors’ knowledge, encouraging interaction between all generations and restoring the respect that once existed between the old, the young, men, women and nature.