A Journey to Cusco: Connecting Tourism and Charity

This past December 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Cusco, Peru, to accompany a tourism client and further my research into expanding our nonprofit efforts in the surrounding areas. Little did I know, the universe had its own plans for me, aligning everything in ways I never expected.

Upon arriving in Cusco, I first settled my client into his hotel before heading to my own little Airbnb, where I would be staying for the next five days. There, I met Juanita, the owner, who welcomed me with warmth and kindness. As we chatted, the conversation naturally drifted toward Cusco and the needs of local children—a topic close to her heart as a former teacher.

What amazed me most was that I hadn’t yet revealed my purpose for being in Cusco, which was, in fact, to research ways to support children in the area through our nonprofit, Dear Future.

Juanita shared that she was participating in a mission to deliver much-needed supplies to a remote village called Pinchi Muro.

These supplies included blankets, boots, school materials, Christmas gifts for the children, and other essential items. The moment she mentioned this, I felt a spark of excitement and didn’t hesitate to ask: Can I come help? She promised to check with the organizer and later that evening, I received a resounding yes!

Normally, I spend my second day in Cusco acclimating to the altitude. However, this time, I had to push through and embrace the challenge, as we were heading up to an astonishing 14,000 feet above sea level. It wasn’t going to be easy, but the opportunity to make an impact was well worth it.

The following day, we embarked on our journey, delivering supplies and spreading joy to the children and families in Pinchi Muro. But beyond the charitable work, something even more incredible happened—I met some truly remarkable people in the van, two of whom would go on to play pivotal roles in shaping our future plans.

First, I met Brenda, a passionate individual from Guatemala. As we talked about our respective projects, we realized the potential for collaboration. By the end of our conversation, we had begun to explore the possibility of bringing Dear Future’s mission to Guatemala. Fast forward a few months, and I’m thrilled to share that we are now actively moving forward with this plan!

I also had the pleasure of meeting Naty, a local tour guide with a fascinating perspective on global citizenship. She believes that travel should not be a one-sided experience but rather a give-and-take interaction that fosters connection with local communities. Her vision aligns perfectly with my belief that tourism should be a medium for charity, creating meaningful experiences where visitors can immerse themselves in local customs and share moments with the people who call these places home.

This trip to Cusco was more than just research—it was a confirmation that we are on the right path, combining tourism with philanthropy to create lasting change. I am excited to return in March 2025 to continue my research and explore new locations, possibly even identifying the site for our next school.

Stay tuned—Cusco is just the beginning!