Instituto de Estudios de las Culturas Andinas
Hampi Wasi – An Andean pharmacy for health and self-determination.
IDECA Perú (Instituto de Estudios de las Culturas Andinas) was founded in 2007 as the successor to the Instituto de Estudios Aymaras and pursues an intercultural, decolonial approach to preserving and strengthening indigenous cultures. The organization combines scientific research, educational work and socio-ecological practice. Its programs focus on identity building, equality, climate justice and participatory realization of rights. IDECA works closely with grassroots groups and communities, networks with regional and international actors, and thus shapes sustainable perspectives in the Andes.
The Aymara are among the oldest indigenous peoples in the Andean region. Since colonial times, they have been affected by exclusion, economic exploitation and cultural marginalization. Access to high-quality education, political participation or medical care was and is severely restricted for many members of the community – especially in remote rural regions.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these structural deficits: healthcare facilities were overwhelmed, many people in remote areas were left without medical assistance or vaccinations – with serious consequences. Traditional knowledge offers a resilient, locally anchored complement to formal healthcare.
In cooperation with the Association of Christian Producers of Santiago de Pupuja (APROCLAS), IDECA is realizing the construction of the Andean pharmacy Hampi Wasi – “House of Health” in Puno, Peru. The aim is to strengthen indigenous communities through the revival and economic use of traditional plant knowledge.
The project promotes the ecological cultivation and processing of native medicinal plants as an accessible, effective and cost-effective alternative to industrial medicine. At the same time, new sources of income are being created for local producers. Training in cultivation techniques, further processing, business management and marketing provides practical know-how. A situation analysis carried out in advance identified suitable medicinal plants and laid the foundation for needs-based support.
Through Hampi Wasi, communities receive the knowledge and resources to help shape their own healthcare – an important step in times of growing global uncertainties in the health and economic system.
The Lemonaid & ChariTea e.V. promotes the implementation through contributions to personnel, equipment, training measures, product development and marketing.
Rolando Pilco Mallea
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