WICHANA'S
BOARD
MEMBERS.
Kasha Yarina Rojas Yamberla
Kasha Yarina Rojas Yamberla lives in Quiroga in the canton of Cotacachi and is the youngest member of the Wichana Foundation Board of Directors. Kasha studies law at the Central University of Ecuador with a focus on human rights. She holds the office of Secretary for the Cantonal Coordination of the Pachakutik Plurinational Movement and she is studying for a diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy with a scholarship awarded by the OACIDI organization. Kasha was instrumental in the development of our Imbabura Taytamamakuna Kawsay cultural project and coordinates and facilitates educational workshops in Cotacachi communities.
WHAT
INSPIRES
THEM.
I advocate for Kichwa Otavalo youth as well as other populations. I empower myself through my Kichwa roots. I take pride in my culture in a society where inequality and discrimination still exists today and not only in our history. Step by step, little by little, we will resurface and clear our minds of so much chaos.
In addition to my own family members, Kichwa heroes like Dolores Cacuango, Tránsito Amaguaña, Daquilema and Rumiñahui have been a great source of inspiration for me. It is only because of their struggle, courage and perseverance that today I am permitted to express my beliefs freely and have the opportunity as a woman to engage in rigorous physical training.
I make contributions through my work that strengthen and help vulnerable populations who have been forgotten by our governments as well as the majority population. There is so much we can do to help them improve their lives. It is not a requirement to have grand academic titles, but it is a fundamental requirement to have the will to work for good without expectation of reciprocity or special favors. Giving love and acting in solidarity in this globalized and materialistic world can never be obsolete. Together we can collectively achieve necessary change.
Wichana inspires me to provide help and to look for spaces that promote the improvement of our peoples’ lives and our communities. A critical aspect of Wichana's work is that it focuses not only on providing financial support for its partner projects, but it also seeks first to understand the communities and their needs. That is why the foundation is structured so that people from the communities who truly understand the reality of the Kichwa people can recommend remedies for the problems they identify. Wichana demonstrates a sincere interest in our people and has created an atmosphere in which our experiences, talents, ideas, opinions and values can be shared freely and with mutual respect.
Wichana is a versatile foundation. It is present in various locations with different projects that address the needs of individual communities. Each of its activities is inspiring. For example, caring for the health of people who do not have access to medical care, feeding elderly adults, the empowerment the Kichwa culture and language through youth training programs, and transmitting and preserving ancestral knowledge through the compilation of inspiring stories of the taytas and mamas of Cotacachi.
EXPLORE
OUR
INITIATIVES.
The Wichana Foundation has two channels for our work. The first is our support of our Partner organizations. Our support can include fundraising and administration of donations, technical advice, training and support, and project collaboration. The second channel is our direct initiatives that we directly organize and administer. Find out detailed information below.
