Celebrating Inti Raymi: Honouring Tradition Through Young Voices

Every year on June 24th, the city of Cusco transforms into a living tapestry of colour, music, and ancestral pride. The Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun, is more than just a reenactment of Incan rituals - it’s a powerful act of cultural preservation and celebration.

This year, several young people from Amantaní took part in the festivities, dancing in the streets and honouring the traditions passed down through generations. For them, participating in Inti Raymi is not just about remembering the past - it’s about reclaiming it, living it, and carrying it forward with pride.

And this month, as we reflect on honouring roots, visibility, and tradition, we are proud to share a historic moment for our Amantaní community: Héctor Raúl, a young man from Cusibamba and former scholarship student, has officially joined our team as a tutor. This marks the first time that one of our own graduates becomes part of the Amantaní team in Cusco - a moment that speaks volumes about how far our young people can go when they are given a real chance.

“I feel deeply grateful and excited for this new stage in my life,” says Héctor. “Being at Amantaní now as a tutor holds a very special meaning for me because I was once on the other side as a scholarship student. Today I have the opportunity to support young people like me, and that fills me with hope and commitment.”

When asked what excites him most about this new challenge, Héctor says: “What excites me most is being able to accompany young people by sharing my own experience with them—showing them that, like me, they can achieve what they set out to do if they have support, trust, and don’t give up. Seeing them grow fills me with hope.”

Hiring Héctor has been both a decision based on merit and a reflection of what Amantaní is today. He was the strongest candidate and selecting him was also about recognising the power of his lived experience.

He is Quechua-speaking, born and raised in Cusibamba (Ccorca), and now returns as a professional to accompany other young people in their journeys - bringing with him the depth of what he’s lived and learned.

Héctor brings something we believe deeply in: the voice of young people, the voice of communities like Ccorca. He brings perspective, dignity, and social justice into the everyday work of tutoring. And that makes him an incredibly valuable part of our team.

It’s more than a new hire - it’s a symbol of impact, continuity, and hope. And we couldn’t be more proud.