Casa de los Milagros en Cusco

9 July, 2008 15:14:07 in art, culture, lifestyle

A House of Miracles in Cusco

By Diana P. Olano
Additional reporting by Heinz Kohler

Last month, photographer Heinz Kohler attended a swanky family picnic fundraiser in the beautiful neighborhood of Hancock Park in Los Angeles. "The setting was in a beautiful home with beautiful people and amazing food," said Heinz. There was also the occasional celebrity sighting, as stars like actor Dustin Hoffman and rocker Ozzy Osbourne were on hand. However, mingling with Hollywood and trying divine foods was secondary to why everyone was in attendance.
The money raised at this Los Angeles fundraiser all went to support the children of the Casa de Milagros (House of Miracles) in Cusco, Peru: an orphanage which takes in abandoned children, living in poverty, and gives them hope of a better life by providing shelter, clothing, basic medical care and education and arts programs.At the event, Heinz was able to hear the woman behind the amazing project speak: Mama Kia. "We were about to meet the woman that the public and celebrities were there for, cash and checkbooks on hand. My friend pointed out they should have had a credit card processing machine!"Mama Kia, or in Quechua, Mama Quia (Mother Moon) and her "Chandler Sky Foundation" (named after her son who passed away) organized the event, along with The A List group, Citizens for Humanity and the Woody Harrelson Foundation. She is an American (now with dual-citizenship), but lives close to Pisac with her daughter, son-in-law, four grandchildren and over thirty orphans. Aside from the states, she's traveled to places such as Italy, Spain and Morocco, all in search of support for her House of Miracles. She also runs the Hanaq Pacha Retreat Center in the Sacred Valley, which helps the local community and the orphanage. Heinz recalls from the event that "her beauty is only matched by her kindness and humble character." People appreciated the holistic services provided at the picnic such as massages or the more fun ones, like tarot card reading, but at the end of the day they were there to help Mama Kia's children. And with their donations, the Casa de Milagros is able to continue its programs that help the orphaned children lead normal, happy lives.Due to having lived in impoverished conditions for most of their lives, the children arrive at the home malnourished, suffering from infections of the skin, tuberculosis and rickets. Mama Kia and her team treat them with basic health assessments once they get to the home.In terms of education, the Casa de Milagros allows the children to utilize the mainstream school system, while additionally receiving an education at the home. A local teacher holds tutoring sessions at the home once a week. This extra-bit of home-schooling is vital in improving what the children already know, as some of them arrive at the home after not having gone to school in years or not at all.In an effort to battle malnutrition, the home teaches the children, as well as the community, organic farming and permaculture techniques. Each child actively participates in growing the foods and herbs they eat. This way, they are not only learning but appreciating where their food comes from. The Casa de Milagros also provides art, performing arts, and trade skill classes, all of which will help them develop into young adults.Please support Mama Kia in her efforts with the Casa de Milagros by visiting their website and learning more about the project.