Project implementation

Poverty eradication requires the introduction of many different innovations in several fields, simultaneously, fast, in rural areas with extreme poverty. Projects with such ambitions are unknown to us. Most projects include several aspects, but hardly the range or pace that poverty eradication demands (see: the golden triangle).

It appeared to DEXCEL, however, that the methodology Pachamama Raymi should be capable to handle the daunting task of poverty eradication, within the time span we imposed on ourselves: three to four years.

DEXCEL-Peru, funded by DEXCEL-International, set out to implement such a project, in a very remote, extremely poor area of Cusco, Peru. It was the start of: “Poverty Eradication and Strengthening Capacities of the population of 12 Communities”. The first phase of the project started August 01, 2006, in Challabamba, (Paucartambo, Cusco).

The success of the first six months of the project (see video) attracted the attention, rather, fascination of the Foundation “Learning from the Best”, which subsequently financed the expansion of the project to 40 farmer communities, starting August 01, 2007. DEXCEL is very pleased with this development, as it is in recognition of the results obtained, and of an effort spanning two decades.

DEXCEL now implements the poverty eradication project in the districts of Challabamba and Caicay (Paucartambo, Cusco) and Ocongate (Quispicanchi, Cusco), involving a total of about 2,300 farmer families.

Some results can be seen here: SERMANU. For the Dutch: www.stichtinglerenvanelkaar.org

The initial success of the methodology Pachamama Raymi applied to the Framework of Contents relevant to poverty eradication (“the golden triangle”) is being repeated in an area three times the size of the area of the first half year. Each one of these areas is quite different from the others, ranging in altitude and climate from the freezing cold at over 4,500 meters above see level, to the tropical jungle. Many of the communities can only be accessed on foot (some even requiring 12 hours or more). However, there is no noticeable difference between communities due to such enormous differences.

DEXCEL is now engaged in documenting the process, and will publish results as they become available.

Confidence
At DEXCEL, we were confident to obtain great results. We usually were short term consultants in many of the projects using Pachamama Raymi. There was always some bargaining about methodological aspects, resulting in mixing Pachamama Raymi with conventional methodologies, compromising its logic. Invariably, a number of concessions had to be made.

In the 12 communities in Challabamba, however, and with funding by DEXCEL, Pachamama Raymi could be implemented by its creator, Willem van Immerzeel. We hardly expect to see what happened. For example, during the very first half year, participation in the project was at an average of over 80%. Upon expansion, and in the new areas, participation was over 60% on average, and is growing. In contrast, projects mixing Pachamama Raymi and conventional methodologies usually have a participation of around 15% ot the total population.

Progress on all issues of the golden triangle is rigorously monitored. It shows that the high degree of participation translates in rapid progress in virtually all issues, simultaneously.

Several years are required to obtain sustainable results (that is, innovations continue to be applied by the majority of the population). Experience with Pachamama Raymi projects has shown that three to four years is sufficient. With the fast pace of a 100% Pachamama Raymi project, results may outrun our expectations. We are very excited, and will keep you posted…

Controlled growth
DEXCEL-Peru is planning to expand its operations at a pace, which will allow us to maintain the superb quality (effectiveness and efficiency) obtained so far, always in close cooperation with local governments.