Project Journey Perú
In the Andean community of Cucho Yanaoco, 178 families are transitioning from a defunct water system to a solar-powered micro-utility. Follow along over the next 6 months as their journey unfolds.
In partnership with Energía, Ambiente y Sostenibilidad (EA&S).
WHY THIS MATTERS
Building a supportive ecosystem for community-owned micro-utilities.
Over the past five years, Green Empowerment and EA&S have partnered with 20 communities across Puno, Peru to build community-managed water systems, reflecting a long-term strategy focused on regional investment and local capacity building.
THE JOURNEY
From a broken system to 24/7 water access.
High in the Andes mountains, the high cost of electricity means Cucho Yanaoco can only afford to run their water pump two hours a day. Many families have returned to collecting surface water. What will it take to ensure clean water runs 24 hours a day?
Feb 2025
Leaders in Cucho Yanaoco approach EA&S & the Municipalidad de Huancané to ask if they can work together.
May 2025
Cucho Yanaoco elects a water committee to lead the project and manage the system for years to come.
Jan 2026
Project funding secured!
Feb 2026
Ángela Choquetico Banca volunteers as system technician for Cucho Yanaoco
March 2026
28 technicians from 14 communities brought together to launch training program.
Follow along. More updates from Cucho Yanaoco coming soon!
WATCH THE FILM
A ten-minute portrait of Puno
A deeper dive into the challenge facing Ángela and Cucho Yanaoco and a proposed solution! Filmed in March 2026 by Nathan Johnson for Green Empowerment's Spring Benefit.
THE PARTNERS
EA&S, Green Empowerment, Municipalidad de Huacané & Meal A Day of the Americas
Energía, Ambiente y Sostenibilidad (EA&S) and Green Empowerment are collaborating with six local municipal governments to bring sustainable energy solutions to underserved rural communities across Puno, Peru. EA&S provides local expertise in environmental and energy policy, while Green Empowerment contributes technical knowledge and experience deploying off-grid renewable energy systems worldwide.
Huge thank you to Christadelphian Meal-A-Day of the Americas for catalytic funding for our work throughout Puno, which is matched by local investment and community contributions.
Change the world with us, one village at a time.
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Ángela Choquetico Banca volunteers as lead system technician
“My mother is on the board, and one day she came to tell me that in Huacané they were looking for a water system operator, a woman. And as a joke, I said: “Mom, why don’t I sign up?”
- Angela, Cucho Yanaoco community member
The community of Cucho Yanaoco participate in communal work day
Representatives from every family in the community came out to help clean the old system and get ready for upgrades.
“Women and men are working side by side. That community work is fundamental to our intervention model. Because we need this local labor to get involved with the project to be taken on by them. Because we are not going to be here forever, we are going to leave, and they have to take charge of that project.”
- Rafael Escobar, Director of EA&S
