We want to express our deep gratitude for your support of our mission to help preserve traditions and benefit the well-being of Indigenous communities with whom we engage. Kenosis Spirit Keepers is a small, volunteer-run, grassroots organization for the benefit of the global community.
2020
To say that 2020 was an exceptional year is an understatement. We were forced to put all our usual programs aside and focus on fundraising for emergency relief due to the pandemic. Indigenous communities came to us seeking help to alleviate food insecurities and lack of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE).
All funds supporting our 2020 effort were from private donations. We express great gratitude to all who so generously supported these unprecedented needs in these desperate times.
For detailed backgound, funding and progress reports for Hopi and Q’ero, go here.
Relief for Hopi
We received requests for help from the Village of Lower Moencopi, 40 miles west of Third Mesa, and the Village of Shungopavi, Second Mesa.
Funds to Lower Moencopi for food and PPE between April and May…
KSK 2020 funding gift: $2300
Funds to Shungopavi for food and PPE between April and August…
KSK 2020 funding gift: $8400
Mask donations: In addition, we networked with mask-making groups in Arizona, Ohio, California and Oregon. Through the hard work of these groups, more than 1600 masks were distributed in Upper and Lower Moencopi, and Shungopavi.
Total in-kind donations of masks and other PPE: Priceless
Winter fuel relief: Beginning October we undertook an additional effort to provide wood and/or coal to elders and families in dire need. We are working with Hopi partner Charlene Joseph to purchase and deliver fuel to as many households as we have donations. Between October and December, 13 elder households in Upper and Lower Moencopi, Shungopavi, Mishongnuvi and Tewa received enough fuel for winter needs. This program continues through winter.
KSK 2020 funding gift: $6400
To support this effort, go here and include “Hopi fuel” in the note section of the donation.
Relief for Q’ero
Hatun Village of Ccochamocco: We had been raising funds to get food to this isolated village since April and waiting since June for the Peruvian government to safely open Indigenous lands. Finally in October, they did. It was a 3-day operation to load and deliver from Cusco to Ccochamocco, not counting all the shopping. Because of you, we had ample funds to pay for food and expenses to get the goods up to the waiting villagers. This kind of money goes a very long way in Peru. Food to last several months was delivered to 54 households. Read more and view videos of the villagers thanking donors.
KSK 2020 funding gift: $7000
Hatun Q’ero Weavers Association: Due to the pandemic and absence of tourism, the Q’ero weavers living in Cusco lost their livelihood. They were also unable to get to their fields in their home villages because of the Cusco lockdown and Indigenous lands were closed. Monies were divided equally among the members to help alleviate the need.
KSK 2020 funding gift: $1500
Ebay Store for Q’ero Weavings: On December 1, we opened an Ebay store solely to support the Hatun Q’ero weavers whose ability to sell their 100% alpaca goods remains drastically impacted by lack of tourism. Individual weavers are provided 100% proceeds of their sales. To read more about the weavers and the store, go here.
To shop and support the Q’ero weavers, please visit our store.
Partner Support Program
Over much of the last year, we have been providing relief to the Hopi and Q’ero peoples by village. However, there are individual Wisdom Keepers in Mexico we’ve been working with directly for many years who are struggling greatly, due to the effect of the pandemic, to cover basic needs and continue their important work.
In July, we began to provide monthly stipends to Don Sergio Castro (humanitarian healer in San Cristobal de Las Casas), Don Xun Calixto (Tzotzil Maya healer in San Juan Chamula) and Tat Apab’yan Tew (K’iche’ Maya Daykeeper of Guatemala). Many of you have had personal experiences with each of these gifted healers and guides. We originally intended to continue this support through February. Funds are depleted but the need goes on.
KSK 2020 funding gift: $4800
To support this effort, go here and include “Wisdom Keepers” in the note section of the donation.
Xapiri: Preserving Traditions in the Amazon
Xapiri is an art gallery and cultural platform based in Cusco, dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities in the Amazon. They work with 10 ethnic groups across the Amazon, some of them having little contact with outsiders. Founder Jack Wheeler and his team focus on the intersection of art, culture and economic opportunity to bolster the cultural integrity of Indigenous communities. In March, we provided funding to assist Xapiri in continuing their support of Amazonian tribes in face of the pandemic.
For more information on Xapiri and their mission, go here.
KSK 2020 funding gift: $1000
A heartfelt thank you for your generous support of Kenosis Spirit Keepers programs in 2020. You made it possible for us to continue our mission to help preserve traditions and positively affect the well-being of Indigenous communities with whom we engage. It’s expressly due to your donations–coming through participation in spiritual travel programs and additional private donations–that we are able to bring support in those areas that so need it. Ayni is Quechua for sacred reciprocity. Thank you for yours. YOU made it happen.
Total KSK 2020 funding gifts: $31,400