Kusi Kawsay - 'Happy Life' offers a high quality alternative education, which fosters a global cultural and ecological awareness while honoring the wisdom and dignity of indigenous traditions. Through integration of Waldorf Pedagogy and Andean Cosmovision the school promotes the unity of human beings within a framework of reciprocity, respect and social justice.

Dear Friends,

This has been a very remarkable year for Kusi Kawsay School - full of great achievements yet accompanied by the deep sadness and loss from the floods and torrential rains. Even so we made tremendous in our construction - enough to receive 82 students at our new school site for the beginning of the year. It was exceptionally moving to open the doors in times when the majority of the students lost their homes. It was a time of deep reflections and appreciation for Kusi Kawsay - the warmth and love it provided for the children and everyone involved was so important and uplifting.

The students are so happy at school - learning how to learn, how to express themselves with a sense of high self-esteem and dignity all in a safe and beautiful environment where each individual is honored, respected and treated equally.

Kusi Kawsay's community of supporters is composed of friends, organizations and foundations. Without this help we would not have been able to make such tremendous advances this year. We are so grateful to each and every one of you who have played such important roles in making all of this possible.

Our greatest and continuing challenge is funding the school. We know there are so many valuable causes that need support. But to those of you who feel the importance of educating our future generations and understand the immense value of Kusi Kawsay we would like to ask that you please consider supporting us at this critical time. We count on donations to cover our operational budget and to keep building - there is so much to accomplish.

For anyone living in the US, Kusi Kawsay is part of Pachamama's Path, a 501 (c)(3) charity that receives tax-deductible donations.

Planting seeds for a bright future.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a new year full of health and happiness.

2010 Highlights:

• Ongoing Waldorf teacher-training program.
• Andean Cosmovision workshops and conferences for teachers.
• Formation of an amazing team of specialized teachers who fully identify with Kusi Kawsay's vision: Six full-time teachers, two teachers in training and two full-time volunteers. Four part-time teachers and other part-time specialized workshop instructors.
• Waldorf-Andean curriculum following the Andean Agrarian calendar.
• Construction advances: Four classrooms are complete, with extensive terrace work and stone walk ways, water systems, a bio-compost septic system and bathrooms, new kindergarten building, and a network of drainage canals.
• Creation of a pilot educational project.
• Cultivation of environmental responsibility and awareness.
• Promotion of children's rights and cultural dignity.
• Strong academic curriculum based on Waldorf method that complies with and exceeds requirements of the Ministry of Education.
• Kusi Kawsay is an affiliated UNESCO school this year.
• 82 children attend Kusi Kawsay - 62 enrolled in Grades K-6 and 17 in the upper grade study group.

At Kusi Kawsay we strive to stimulate each child, their families, and their communities. The difference your donation makes comes directly from the confident, smiling faces of each and every student.

Kusi Kawsay promoted and participated in an outstanding number of extra curricula activities throughout the year that cultivate an awareness of the urgency of protecting our environment, promoting peace and solidarity focused on human rights and principally honoring Andean cultural identity.
These values are woven throughout the academic, environmental, emotional and artistic components of the school.