What inspired you to work for CORE Archaeology E.I.R.L.?
A passion for archaeology and Peruvian history. Being in a position to make archaeology accessible to the public and to help people actively engage in sustainable community projects.
I love to teach and sharing my knowledge with others is a passion of mine, as is learning from others. I'm always amazed at how much I can learn from others while exchanging ideas and information. Taking people to new places and providing memorable experiences is a passion of mine.
Describe a typical day at work.
There is no such thing as a typical day. Involvement in the many facets of what we do at CORE is great though. Activities change with the seasons, young people in the communities grow older, and engaging with all of these (and many more) aspects makes a day at CORE all the more adventurous. It's great to work with local professionals and make our services accessible to the public.
Up enjoying the views and work while in the mountains in Machuqolqa in 2022.
Why do you do what you do?
I like to be a part of the collective in my local community which permits me to strive for positive change while facing the challenges this presents. There is no better sense of satisfaction than seeing a project through from its inception.
I am humble enough to know that I still have a lot to learn and I enjoy being taught new things. Family, community, and culture are very important to me.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love working in the field. There is nothing I love more than showing visitors to Cusco new things and enhancing their experience. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and learning about different customs and cultures. Students and young people never cease to amaze me and I especially enjoy spending time with people who teach me new things.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
Being a native English speaker is a bonus when working with volunteers, student groups, and visitors from English-speaking countries. I teach ESL with ICPNA-Cusco and also teach private classes for local students who wish to advance their English speaking skills.
Having lived and worked outside my country of birth helps me pass on my life experiences through suggestions and advice. However, I am by no means an expert and love receiving the same from visitors, professionals, and local people.
I enjoyed seeing the ancient Wari site, Choque Puquio while visiting and traveling in Peru.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Peru and South America are generally different, so patience will take a long way! Be humble and remain calm when things don't quite go how you want them to.
A good sense of humor is the best thing to pack when traveling. Keep it with you above all other things. Be calm, be relaxed, and learn the lingo. It will take you into the heart of where you are traveling.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Our Machu Picchup project! We worked so hard to make this project a reality and thanks to the Direccion Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco del Ministerio de Cultura (DDC) and the Parque Arqueológico Nacional de Machupicchu (PANM) and their support for our endeavors, we are collaborating on a great project at an amazing location. It's an absolute pleasure for CORE Archaeology to make this project accessible to the public.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Be yourself, immerse yourself in the culture, the language, the food! Remain patient and humble. Have a sense of humor. Share your knowledge without being critical of others.
Be respectful of customs and identity. Be mindful of human rights, how racism can exist amongst countrymen, and that gender roles may be acceptable in certain parts of the world. Try to understand why things are different. Be honest and represent yourself by being respectful, kind, and humane.
What makes CORE Archaeology E.I.R.L. special?
Our MACHU PICCHU project is truly unique. Through CORE Archaeology, the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco del Ministerio de Cultura (DDC), and the Parque Arqueológico Nacional de Machupicchu (PANM) we have a project accessible to the public and which actively involves volunteers in a professional capacity.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
We are excellent at what we do! We have native English and Spanish-speaking staff and almost two decades of experience in the Cusco region. We are tax-compliant and legally registered. All of the works, activities, and projects we undertake are in coordination and collaboration with the relative authorities in the territory of Peru.
Classic Machu Picchu shot. The landscape and wildlife were amazing to see up close.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
To continue what we do. To strengthen our ties with community leaders, municipalities, government bodies, and educational institutes. We aim to continue to offer excellence in the services we provide whilst actively involving the public. We hope to grow from strength to strength, learning and evolving along the way.
Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?
Our Machu Picchu project which was signed on December 18, 2023 is a big step for us. Having an official agreement with the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco del Ministerio del Ministerio de Cultura (DDC) and the Parque Arqueológico Nacional de Machupicchu (PANM) is unique. Having the ability to involve international volunteers on such a project and at such a location is something that we are very proud of.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
Our official agreement with the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura del Ministerio de Cultura (DDC) and the Parque Arqueológico de Machupicchu (PANM) truly offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to actively participate in conservation, maintenance, and educational activities in the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to “Protect, preserve, and promote Peru's rich cultural heritage.” We work towards this by maintaining transparency in all the activities we undertake and by ensuring we are working within the legal frameworks set out by the Peruvian government and local authorities. CORE Archaeology is committed to adhering to all existing legislation and laws which exist within the territory of Peru.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
The importance of cultural heritage and what we can do to preserve national monuments for future generations. An intercultural exchange. Not only understanding what makes us different but also what similarities we have. Identifying our own culture through the exploration and experience of other cultures.
Close-up of a Machu Picchu shot. This area is definitely worth visiting in Peru.
How do you help support participants?
All of our activities are fully supervised by qualified, certified, and licensed professionals. We offer 24/7 in-country support and we also have native English and Spanish speaking staff.
Our projects are all-inclusive. This includes accommodation, transport, meals, materials, and professional, accredited staff.
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would choose the archaeology/community program. The placement offers a nice mix of archaeology work with community activities and culminates with active assistance at Machu Picchu. Having the opportunity to not only visit this amazing archaeological complex but to work there sets it apart from other projects in the region.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is healthy! If there is one thing I feel people should do in their lives is travel. It broadens the mind. Meeting like-minded people from all over the world opens you up to a new level of compassion and understanding.
It helps you become independent, confident, and adaptable. It also helps you interact, and become a member of the international community.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
The answer is in the question. It's traveling with purpose. It's having a vision, a goal, a mission. It's striking out as an individual or as part of a group.
It's an adventure. It's a learning curve, self-discovery, it's realizing you are capable of doing things you maybe thought were impossible. It's growing, maturing, evolving. It's finding yourself.