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ALQO WASI means “Dog Home” in Quechua, the language of the Incas. It all started
on one of the countless family adventure journeys along the Peruvian Andes. We had
already been in a bus for 4 hours, we had 2 more hours to arrive at the imposing
presence of the great Colca Canyon and I had to come up with an idea of a business
for my university thesis. Suddenly, it just popped into my mind. I had been
looking for clothes for Paco and Lua, my two little spoiled and pampered Westies,
and nothing was good enough for them.
As I was sitting by the bus window, I kept watching these incredible landscapes
in the middle of what we call the sierra; they were covered with these incredible
creatures, the Gold of the Andes as we proudly call them. Alpacas, llamas,
guanacos and vicuñas grazed freely in the vast highlands of the region at more
than 10,000 feet above sea level. From time to time we stopped in little villages
were native communities are known for their incredible weaving and natural dying
techniques. The weaving loom is used since pre Hispanic times and artisans from
the Andean region apply ancestral techniques of spinning and dying to make
diverse textiles.
After some time, I decided to take the risk. I created a company that could give
our babies a sophisticated and one-of-a-kind piece of work, and at the same time
help a great cause. I can’t remember of another time when I have been more
passionate about something as I am now.
- by Patricia Queirolo
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