Qichwata Rimay is an initiative dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of the Quechua language and the cultural heritage of the Andes. Through multimedia storytelling, educational programs, and community engagement, we empower individuals and communities to reconnect with their ancestral roots while promoting a culturally vibrant future.
Our work builds meaningful bridges between the Andes and the global diaspora, creating spaces where Indigenous knowledge, language, and traditions can be shared, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come.
What do we do?
We promote the preservation of our mother tongue, Quechua, and the knowledge of the Andes by empowering our communities and strengthening cultural identity. Through education, storytelling, and collaborative initiatives, we seek to ensure that Quechua language and Andean traditions continue to flourish in both local communities and the global diaspora.
Mission
Our mission is to revitalize the Quechua language and Andean culture through multimedia initiatives, community engagement, and cultural exchange. We work to strengthen connections with Quechua and Andean roots while supporting educational opportunities for children and adults, particularly in the region of Huancavelica, Peru.
Vision
Our vision is to build a cultural bridge between the Andes and the global diaspora, fostering awareness, understanding, and engagement with Andean heritage. Through innovative multimedia platforms and educational initiatives, we aspire to impower communities to preserve, celebrate, and share the richness of Quechua language and culture.
-About-
Our History
“These formative experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to preserving the Quechua language and celebrating the cultural heritage of the Andes.”
Qichwata Rimay was founded in 2019 by Luz Merissa Vargas Sairitupac. Luz Merissa was born in the small town of San Miguel de Curis, located in Huaytará, Huancavelica, Peru. Growing up in the Peruvian highlands, she was deeply immersed in Quechua language and Andean traditions through the teachings of her grandmother and family.
These formative experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to preserving the Quechua language and celebrating the cultural heritage of the Andes. Qichwata Rimay reflects her dedication by creating initiatives that honor ancestral knowledge while connecting communities across generations and borders.
Qichwata Rimay is founded.
San Miguel de Curis a small town in Huaytará, Huancavelica.
Learning from her grandmother. Quechua language and Andean traditions.
A lifelong commitment to preserving the Quechua language and cultural heritage of the Andes.
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of this initiative is to preserve and strengthen Andean cultural identity and traditional knowledge through educational programs, cultural storytelling, and community-driven efforts that honor and celebrate our Andean heritage for future generations.
-PROJECTS-
Our Work
Quechua Language Revitalization
Qichwa Lab
Willakuy & Yachakuy
Stories & Knowledge
Educational Qichwa Workshops
— EVENTS & PRESENTATIONS —
Academic & Cultural Engagement
We participate in academic and cultural events to promote awareness of Quechua language and Andean
heritage, fostering dialogue across institutions and communities.
Recent presentations include:
University of Texas at Austin — 2025
Quechua Alliance — 10th Annual Meeting
Quechua Alliance — 9th Annual Meeting (2024)
University of Alabama — Language Conference (UALC 2023)
– Resource –
Multimedia & Learning Materials
This section brings together the digital platforms and educational materials that support the mission of
Qichwata Rimay. Through multimedia storytelling and accessible learning resources, we share the voices,
knowledge, and cultural traditions of the Andes with a broader audience.
Documentary: “Echoes of Quechua”
Documentation from the Willakuy–Yachakuy Project
Education
Qichwa
Classes
Providing Quechua language instructions facilitating reconnection with cultural roots and Quechua-Speaking Communities.
Qichwa
Lab
Bringing Science Workshops to Children in Remote Areas, Overcoming Challenges of Limited Access to Materials and Equipment.
Nelyda C. Taype Breña
Nelyda Clementina Taype Breña was born in the district of Paucará, province of Acobamba, Huancavelica region, Peru (1995). She is an Anthropology student, as well as a certified Quechua interpreter and translator registered in the National Registry of Interpreters and Translators of Indigenous and Native Languages (RENITLI) of the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
She is also a Quechua language teacher and advocate with many years of experience in the teaching, promotion, and revitalization of this native language.
Qichwa Collections
at Birú Pacha
All proceeds generated from the items featured in the “Qichwa Collections” directly support the Qichwata Rimay initiative and its cultural and educational projects — helping preserve the Quechua language and Andean heritage for future generations.
