Cholitas escaladoras: All the Way to the Top!

Led by the Cholitas escaladoras, Aymara guides
La Paz, Bolivia
Duration: 1 year

Context

Having made their mark in a predominantly male sector, these Aymara women in love with high-mountain sports, who are following their path as cooks and guides, have the dream of telling their story to the world, working in what they are passionate about, on Huayna Potosi, a mountain culminating at 6088m in Bolivia’s Cordillera Real. It’s also a dream that ultimately leads them to reach the summits of the world, giving inspiring messages of fighting for one’s dreams, empowering women, protecting mountains.

To find out more about the Cholitas and one of the movement’s pioneers, Ana Lia Gonzales Magueño: Las Cholitas Escaladoras of Bolivia: an Adventure With Crampons and Skirts – Village Monde

Climbs to the summit of Huayna Potosi start from the Las Rockas Refuge, Campo alto, at 5200m altitude.

Cholitas escaladoras

1,370.00$ donated of 3,650.00$ goal

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Project Objectives

The underlying objectives of this project are to accompany foreign and national tourists on trekking tours, glacier climbing, ascent of Huayna Potosi and the country’s highest peaks; to set up a private room at the Las Rockas refuge, equipped in the style of the Cholitas mountaineers; to finance the purchase of high-mountain equipment needed for the training of Cholitas mountaineering guides; and to train future female guides.

Activities

Creation of a room on the theme of cholitas escaladoras to welcome tourists, which will also be used for accommodation and for training days for women guides in the field. This will raise awareness of the inspiring journey of these women, with the aim of mobilizing additional voluntary contributions.
Set up a mountain school to train future guides and stock the minimum mountain equipment currently lacking.
Purchase of equipment for the 2-day/1-night Huayna Potosi tourist itinerary for Cholitas escaladoras.

If the fundraising target is exceeded,

The organization would also like to renovate the kitchen and dining room to enable better management of the food supply, favoring foods based on local products that they produce themselves in their communities, and avoiding freeze-dried foods.
The organization would also like to purchase a tank for the water supply so that the bio-digester toilets can function properly and contribute to the protection of the mountain.

What the Organization Is Looking For

Funding of $3650 to implement the initiative (detailed budget on request) by December 06, 2024.

*Advantages*

With any donation of $20+: you’ll receive an invitation to a private screening of the film “Cholitas” (in Spanish with French subtitles) on December 11 at 7pm, at Université Laval, in Quebec City. This film tells the unique experience of the Cholitas, whose goal was to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. The film will be followed by a conference.
Donations of $50 to $99: you’ll receive a photo of the Cholitas with a message of thanks.
Donations of $100 or more: you’ll receive a handmade key holder with the Cholitas’ image.

Words From the Project Ambassador

Tanya Lécuyer, Director of Village Monde

“Climbing Huayna Potosi with Liita was one of the most incredible and difficult experiences of my life. Beyond the physical challenge, I was greatly impacted by the energy, determination and ambition of Liita, Dora and the Cholitas escaladoras. It was particularly frustrating to realize that, despite their inspiring journey, their achievements, a real contribution to the women’s empowerment movement in Bolivia and many ideas for initiatives to benefit women and girls, the environment and mountain tourism, the Cholitas escaladoras receive little or no support. That’s why I decided to work with them to give shape to this fund-raising initiative, so that it could serve as a springboard for meaningful and impactful actions.

I therefore invite you to make a donation, to the extent of your means, thus contributing to the Cholitas escaladoras adventure, and remain available to share my experience or for any additional information you may require. Thank you, gracias, yuspaxara.”

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Cholitas escaladoras: All the Way to the Top!

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