The dispersed settlement of Cruz del Arenal is located at the foot of the Chimborazo at 4250 m AMSL. 28 families live here in great poverty. Together with the community population, PVA is dedicated to improve their living conditions.

Alexander-von-Humboldt-School

In 1802, Alexander von Humboldt hit on the Chimborazo during his scientific expedition through Latin America. He was confident to climb the 6310m volcano and almost managed to do so. On the 20th of January 1999, retracing Humboldt’s steps, the two chairpersons of Pro Vita Andina visited the indigenous community of Cruz del Arenal for the first time. They promised financial help for the construction of a school with decent bathrooms, a kitchen, a restaurant and a shop. Education and proper sources of income should help the population to overcome their poverty. The project was launched right after our visit.

The construction work was carried out by the people from the community themselves. On the 24th of January 2000, 18 pupils started school and moved into the new class rooms. The large cornets of cardboard filled with sweets and little presents usually given to children in Germany on their first day at school were a special attraction.

Restaurant and Shop

The restaurant and the school have since become the communal center of the village. The kitchen is used to prepare meals both for the pupils for free as well as for the restaurant. A work shop is provided for women seeking to produce artisanía. Their products are sold to tourists at a counter in the restaurant. Many of these tourists pass by Cruz del Arnal during their trekking trips to and around the Chimborazo area.

Water supply

A spring, located far away from the school, was caught. Frost proof tubes carry the water into a buried tank which represents the reservoir for the school. Outside of the school, a standpipe was built for everyone in need of pure drinking water.

Along with our projects goes a strong commitment to environmental protection Fighting erosion in the Páramo – Llamas and Alpacas instead of sheep.

The clammy grassland zone of the Páramo at the foot of the Chimborazo has been heavily eroded by overgrazing and exploitation of fuel material. The shepherd families of Cruz del Arenal are reliant on sheep farming, which causes a continuous deterioration of the environment. The hoofs of the animals are harming for the weak grassroots on the hillside. The strong wind in the Páramo makes the erosion even worse. But the indigenous people have seen the red light and are willing to halt this development by adjusting their living habits. They want to exchange their sheep by Llamas and Alpacas, species which have been native to this region. But this shift would be expensive, since Llamas and Alpacas cost much more than sheep. With the help of Pro Vita Andina, they could already acquire a small flock of Llamas.

Wool production

The shepherds of Cruz del Arenal profit from the shift to Llamas and Alpacas since their wool is of superior quality. They can therefore realize a much higher price. From sheep wool, they can still create arts and crafts by processing it to felt. The crafts may be used for personal use or sale to tourists.