Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas

Kamayoqs then have revision classes every six
months to look at any new issues which may
have arisen and also to share information within
and between communities. To date, more than
160 farmers have been trained.
One of the most important aspects of this
training is improving self confidence and trust
within communities. Gregorio Flores Road
told Practical Action, 'I have learnt so much
more which I can share with my friends and
neighbours. My income has risen and I can
provide a much better standard of living for my
family. I breed for wool and at the moment I
am trying to classify them by colour and hair
length so I can produce the best possible breed.'
The Kamayoqs were also shown how
to administer medicine and taught how to
increase milk to increase the production of
yoghurt and cheese.
Shelters
To protect the alpacas – particularly the young
and weak – from the extremely cold weather,
Practical Action has designed a simple shelter
while understanding how to spot the signs.
As a result of this, Practical Action held
additional workshops to look at how farmers
could improve their knowledge of basic
immunisation skills; in addition the charity
distributed the medicine needed to care for
their livestock.
Emilio Chalco Valladares, Alpaca Farmer
said, "Previously when an animal was sick,
taking it to the town might take a day at
least. While we were away more animals
might become sick – disease spreads quickly.
Now we save much time because we have
the knowledge ourselves and diseases don't
spread. Animals don't die any more."
The farmers who have been trained are now
confident enough to share their knowledge
to enable other community members to
become Kamayoqs. This farmer-to-farmer
training means knowledge of hydroponics
– growing barley grains in small amounts of
water – and basic veterinary skills is passed
on. This is vital, as many farmers have little
understanding of techniques to protect alpacas
from disease.
Practical action has recently being working
with women from the communities to ensure
they receive as much training as possible,
enabling them to care for the animals and
improve their skill set.
As well as working in the field, Practical
Action has also been working with an alpaca
farm on its doorstep, based in Warwickshire
to raise the profile of these important animals.
Toft Alpacas, at Toft Manor in Dunchurch,
has a herd of over 170 alpacas and is now
supporting the charity by selling Practical
Action cards and other gifts.
Practical Action not only realises
the importance of alpacas to Peruvian
communities, but also the social impacts
of working together. Sharing information
and helping others to learn is vital if harsh
winters are no longer to be feared by remote
communities across the country. The charity
has proved that sharing knowledge through
programmes and workshops has a ripple
effect; leading to more and more people
becoming empowered through learning and
practical help.
made from local materials. The shelters can
each house up to 50 alpacas which are not
only protected from the harsh winds and cold,
but also generate their own warmth through
standing together. In the summer, the shelters
are used for shearing the alpacas and sorting the
wool. They are also used to protect pregnant
alpacas, which often miscarry in the cold.
Nutritious Food
Once the cold weather hits the country, one
of the effects is the land dries up and what
little vegetation there is actually blows away.
Practical Action has worked with communities
to enable people to grow nutritious barley
through hydroponics systems.
Barley grains fetched from the valley floor
– with the help of healthier alpacas – are
grown in a trough of water the barley is
milled, enriched with syrup and formed into
blocks. Needing only sunlight and water, the
whole process takes just two weeks. These
high energy blocks keep the alpacas healthy
and strong when no other food is available.
Veterinary Skills
Many farmers told Practical Action they
needed more training in how to prevent
their alpacas falling victim to disease,
Practical Action in action
Supporting communities all year round as well as vital project work to help support
communities in Peru, Practical Action also sells 'Practical Presents' throughout the year.
This initative includes alpaca gifts ranging from alpacas, veterinary kits, alpaca food and
shelters.
Rather than buying friends, family and loved ones gift for birthdays, next month's
Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day, which could end up in the back of the
cupboard, Practical Action is encouraging people to take a look at its gift brochure. Practical
Present's have a major impact on helping to improve the lives of some of the world's poor.
All alpaca gifts come with a free alpaca finger puppet, made out of the animal's wool.
As Justine Williams, Practical Action's Head of Public Fundraising, said, 'Novelty socks
can't fight poverty but buying a Practical Presents can. It really is an ideal way to buy for
friends and family while making a real difference to a poor community.'
The brand new 'Practical Presents' catalogue and website www.practicalpresents.org is
packed with innovative gifts which aim to benefit people in the developing world. Prices
start from under £10. Gifts can also be purchased over the phone, 0845 108 3057.
Other gifts include ducks for families in Bangladesh to provide eggs and a livelihood
through breeding, goats in Africa to produce milk for HIV/AIDS orphans and fuel efficient
stoves for Sudan refugees.
As well as a special gift card to personalise the present, shoppers will also receive
photographs and details of the Practical
Presents gift idea they are interested in.
For more information about Practical
Action's invaluable work or to make a
donation, please telephone 01926 634400.
Alternatively visit:
www.practicalaction.org
Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08
59