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Current Projects

We have several projects for 2009/2010:

• Spirit Keepers Journey
• Young Adult Sponsorships in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru
• Community-building projects in Mollamarka and Q'ero, Peru
• Documentary Film

Spirit Keepers Journey

Kenosis Spirit Keepers provides indigenous "bridge builders" in the Americas, who have shared interests, parallel traditions or overlapping geographic roots, ways to connect with each other on an intimate, small group level. Through these interchanges it is our intent that indigenous traditions are strengthened and sustained.

We ask the native community to create a travel group of leaders to serve as placeholders both during the travels and upon return to their home community, as well as young people who are positive role models, but who may be living in high risk situations.

During the Summer 2008 journey, Hopi elder Harold Joseph spoke to Q'ero community leaders who were traveling with us, "You are my brothers and sisters! When I am at home and pray for rain for my corn, I pray for your corn…" See more photos of this journey.

Hopi Harold Joseph speaking with Q'ero friends (Photo credit: Darlene Dunning)

In the summer of 2009 we are providing sponsorships for one Hopi and two Diné, or Navajo, leaders to take part in a cross-cultural exchange program in Peru. The purpose is to bring them together with their Quechua cousins for sharing traditions and ceremonies and to visit sacred sites of the Inca and Pre-Inca in the Cusco region.

They will be active in festivities with the Mollamarka Indians, in the village of Mollamarka in the Cusco Region, that include folkloric dances and songs, plus engage in traditional healing rituals. There will also be a day-long gathering with prominent elders and community members of the Q'ero Nation, known as the keepers of the ancient Inca knowledge, for a blessing ceremony. Four Q'ero leaders will join the group for travel to the high jungle known as Manu. The Diné will also share their sacred rituals. Don Américo Yábar, Gayle Yábar and Carla Woody will help guide the journey.

Hopi Spirit Keepers for 2010

We plan to sponsor the return of Hopi elder Harold Joseph, along with two other Hopi leaders, so that they may join us in our January Maya Mysteries program and continue weaving connections with with the Lacandón Maya. Read more about this sharing along the migration paths of the Hopi. See photos of our January 2009 program and other past trips.

We ask your assistance in gathering funds to fully support all Spirit Keepers for 2010. To learn more about how you can help, please go to our Donations page.

Young Adult Sponsorship Program

We offer a limited number of sponsorships for non-native young adults, who are emerging leaders, to participate in programs for cross-cultural exchange and consciousness-raising purposes. For young people just entering adulthood and facing major decisions, their experience imparts what elements are really important in life. Some of those we've sponsored have been at risk. They've used this program as a boost to take them on a new path. Without exception, we've witnessed young people gain new levels of self-esteem and confidence. For more information, see Past Projects or download the application.

Current 2010 young adult sponsorship opportunities:

Community-Building Projects in Peru

The Q'ero Indians live in isolation at 17,000 ft on the mountain called Q'ero in the Cusco region of the Andes as they have for the hundreds of years since fleeing when the conquistadors invaded in order to keep their spiritual traditions pure. The Mollamarka Indians also live in relative isolation about five hours outside the city of Cusco. Read more about these native people and our long-time engagement with them.

Building a school in Q'ero: In July 2008 during our gathering with Q'ero paq'os and community leaders, immediately after a despacho ceremony, we asked what we could offer the Q'ero Nation in ayni for all they had shared with us over the years.*

They have asked us to build a school in the Q'ero village of Cochamoca and provide materials and initial support. Because the nearest school is three hours away over very rough terrain, none of the children have gone to school. There are approximately forty children in Cochamoco currently. The Peruvian government offers the Q'ero Nation little to no support and they have no funds to accomplish this on their own.

Q'ero leaders are very clear that they do not want a mestizo school built of concrete blocks, but one resembling their own traditional stone dwellings. Hence, they will construct the school and we are raising funds to provide such materials as windows, doors, stoves, whatever is not available on site. Benches, desks and school supplies will also be required, as will a teacher with a curriculum that honors their culture. We intend to assist them in maintaining supplies and the teacher's salary during the early phase. Part of the involvement of Kenosis Spirit Keepers will be to help pinpoint cottage industries the Q'ero of Cochamoco can develop to support the ongoing expenses of the school and be self-sufficient.

We estimate that funds in the amount of $10,000 USD are needed to build and equip the school and pay for a teacher's salary for one year. Follow-on years' expenses for school materials and teacher's salary are approximately $4,500 USD.

* Translated from Quechua, paq'o is a shaman, despacho is a blessing ritual, and ayni is the sacred sense of reciprocity the Andean people live by.

   

Q'ero Village Cochamoco (Photo credit: Oakley Gordon)    Q'ero Mother and Child (Photo credit: Monty DeLozier)

Providing sanitation and aid in Mollamarka: We have been asked to provide aid to the elderly villagers and children of Mollamarka by purchasing blankets to protect against the cold. These will be bought in the market in Cusco and brought with us to Mollamarka. Funds of $2500 will allow us to give blankets to all who need them.

There are currently no sanitation facilities in the Mollamarka village school and very limited latrines available elsewhere. We are raising funds to provide materials and labor to build bathrooms for the children. Estimated costs are $3000.

   

Mollamarka Elder and Mollamarka Children (Photo credits: Monty DeLozier)

Documentary Film

During our 2008 Spirit Keepers Journey in Peru extensive footage was taken showing traditions, as well as some never before filmed interviews and sacred rituals, all done with full permission of the participants. We intend to produce a full-length documentary in order to raise awareness of the fragility of indigenous cultures and the importance they be sustained. Any funds received through the viewing of the film will be channeled back into Kenosis Spirit Keepers to further our mission.

We are fortunate to have the collaboration of Steiger Brothers Productions who have produced documentaries working with PBS, Nova, BBC, National Geographic and others since 1985. Through the generosity of their associate Monty Delozier and Jacob Devaney of Culture Collective who donated their time and services, we have the rough footage from this important journey.

We must now raise the funds for Steiger Brothers Productions to complete the required post-production work to turn the footage into a documentary.

Past Projects

Kenosis Spirit Keepers projects are, in part, an outgrowth of scholarship programs originally instituted by Carla Woody through an organization she founded, Kenosis LLC. Below are those programs.

Young Adult Scholarship Program

Between 2005 and 2007 several young adult scholarships were granted providing the recipients with the opportunity to travel internationally and experience the indigenous wisdom of the Peruvian Andes. Read some of their stories.

Spirit Keepers Journey Pilot Program

During the May 26-June 8, 2007 Spiritual Travel Program to Peru, a Hopi elder and youth, both initiated in the Kachina Society, from Shongopovi, Second Mesa, Arizona, joined the group to act as emissaries of their spiritual traditions. They were hosted through full tuition scholarships and all travel expenses.

Carla Woody said at the time, "When we travelers come together in circle, witness and share in the act of connection to sacred energies with mystic Don Américo Yábar, nagual Gayle Yábar, the Q'ero and Mollamarka Indians, it will be a historical moment. It is my intent that this time acts as an introduction, only a first time, and that larger groups of Hopi and other indigenous peoples of North America follow in the next years."

View stories and photos.

Apply for Sponsorship

The purpose of these sponsorships will be to participate in targeted travel programs for cultural exchange purposes. Amounts will normally range between $1,000 to $5000 depending on need.

Young adults must meet the criteria of being between the ages of 18 to 25. If over 25 but not more than 27, they must be enrolled in school or have graduated within the last year. Native people may be of any age where there is a financial need.

In addition, recipients must have an interest in indigenous wisdom, sacred cultural practices and/or cultural exchange.

Download the application. For more information, contact us at info@kenosisspiritkeepers.org.

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Last updated 18 May 2009   |  © 2008 Kenosis Spirit Keepers