Fundación Mashi Pierre

We are located in Saraguro, a small town in the Andean highlands, south of Cuenca. Both indigenous and mestizo coexist there, although the indigenous community is more represented. It is in this environment that Pierre Humeau worked for 3 years. A French national, he was hired by a Spanish organization to implement an agricultural cooperation project in the indigenous communities of Saraguro. Pierre knew how to conquer the hearts of the Saraguros, people considered him as a brother, as a son. He managed to win the trust of all generations. Unfortunately, Pierre passed away in a traffic accident in 2011. Pierre's family and friends decided to continue with the projects that he wanted to carry out so much and created a house for young people. The youth house responds to a double need: to develop relationships between the youth of the indigenous and mestizo community of Saraguro since they do not interact, they do not mix much. The second objective is to implement leisure and free time alternatives in Saraguro, and provide a neutral place so that the youth of the two communities can spend time doing activities together. Pierre's family and the members of the project especially try to prevent young people from falling into alcoholism or drugs and from emigrating to other countries. Young people can spend their free time in the center with fun, cultural, and educational activities. School support is also proposed. In addition, for a few years, volunteers have supported the schools of the indigenous communities by giving English classes. The Youth House is an Ecuadorian organization headed by a board made up of members of the two communities. In addition, the foundation is supported, supported by the French association "les amis de Pierre pour Saraguro", and each year receives 3 or 4 volunteers from the French civic service who contribute to the development of the activities of the house.

Saraguro is a city extremely rich in diversity of landscapes and cultures. You can share moments in the communities, discover the indigenous culture and worldview, learn the kishwa, handicrafts, participate in indigenous festivals, go hiking in incredible landscapes...

Volunteers can go visit the Inca baths, the Gavilan of Ñamarin, the sleeping lion in Urdaneta, climb the Puglla, watch the condor flight in Gera, the viewpoint of Illincho, enjoy the mishki or guajengo, drinks of the communities of Saraguro, learn the kishwa, discover the crafts of Saraguro, the culture, the indigenous worldview, the festivals IntiRaymi, Pawka Raymi, Kapak Raymi, Kuya Raymi that mark the solstices and equinoxes.

We are an Ecuadorian organization headed by a board made up of members of the two communities. In addition, the foundation is supported, supported by the French association "les amis de Pierre pour Saraguro", and each year receives 3 or 4 volunteers from the French civic service who contribute to the development of the activities of the house. The worldpackers volunteers share a house with the French volunteers. We like to receive and share simple but significant moments with people from other cultures to learn but also to transmit the richness of the culture here. We can also introduce you to people, advise you on things to do and see here according to your desires and what you want to discover.