The Wiraqocha Foundation is here to be your bridge.
Your connection to authentic Q’ero culture that offers you healing, transformation, and a path to connecting to your true power.
Our world has reached a tipping point - with environmental, social, and spiritual crises seemingly spiraling out of control, people can feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty and chaos, and challenged to know what to do.
Through the Q’ero wisdom teachings, and their exquisite sacred weavings, you experience a connection with Nature, with the infinite love of the most tender Mother in the world, Pachamama.
OPEN TO A WORLD OF BEAUTY
We invite you to learn from, support, and connect with the Hatun Q’ero community. Through purchasing their sacred weavings, joining our Global Paqo School, or simply making a donation, become part of our family and mission to preserve the heart of Q’ero culture.
"The Q’ero people of Peru understand Nature, and the way in which we humans are related to it, in a manner that is staggering. It is my hope that the application of this knowledge will result in our deeper global collaboration with Nature through which we can provide ourselves, our children and grandchildren, with what we all need most – a future."
—Elizabeth B. Jenkins, Founder, Wiraqocha Foundation
Our Mission
Caring for the Q’ero people so they can live healthy, thriving lives, fulfilling their purpose of sharing with the world their sacred knowledge of living in harmony with nature. Teaching the skills of nature intelligence in order to nurture optimal health, happiness, harmony, and spiritual connectedness. Creating a healthy planet & healthy people living in cooperative, harmonious relationship.
Our Purpose
TO HELP: To help humanity remember their divine connection to Mother Nature - serving as an access point to the Fourth Level.
TO ACT: To put Fourth Level principles into action, bringing people and nature together through education, service and sami.
TO FACILITATE: To facilitate changes and connection between all of the sons and daughters and Pachamama. Through these interchanges, indigenous traditions are honored and preserved, and society is enriched and expanded.
TO PRESERVE: To preserve and promote indigenous wisdom and knowledge systems.
Our Founder's Message
In the photo above, we celebrate the purchase of land in Cusco for the Q’ero Residents of Cusco Community House!
The Wiraqocha Foundation (WF) was initially conceived in 1992 when I first returned to the United States from Peru and started to teach the Andean Path. Motivated by my experiences in Peru, my students wanted more. They aspired to become initiated in the Inka tradition. They wanted to go to Peru and they wanted me to take them. From 1992-1999, seven transformative years, I found myself traversing back and forth, shepherding (or should I say alpaca herding) together with Juan Nuñez Del Prado, up to six groups per year of Paqo initiates eager to undergo the Hatun Karpay – The Great Initiation. The training was exquisite and rewarding, but nonetheless demanding. At the same time, I began envisioning the Wiraqocha Foundation. It was in fact, during a conversation with Waimea Canyon on the Island of Kauai that I received the full vision for the Foundation. Little did I know how significant this was or how much influence Hawaii would come to have on me, my family, our future, and ultimately, the Wiraqocha Foundation.
While the mission of promoting the philosophy of Human Harmony with Nature was important, the Q’ero children did not have a school, and worse, mothers and babies were dying because of dirty water and the lack of adequate health facilities. Therefore Juan and I, together with Dr. Oscar Liendo and the Andean Institute of Health, sent a team of medical personnel to assess the health needs of the Q’ero. We found a 60% infant mortality rate due to bad water. The results of the assessment informed the initial strategic plan for the Foundation: to take seekers on a journey, yes – but equally if not more importantly, to help the Q’ero people.
In the early days of leading the trainings in Peru, much of the region lacked the conveniences and built-in comfort to which many initiates were accustomed. For many, the corporeal hardships distracted from the purpose of the trip, and we adjusted accordingly, keeping the character and meaning of the trip while making it a bit more comfortable for travelers.
Since those early times we have learned much. Every initiate, every initiation, teaches us how to be better and more effective. As a result, the Hatun Karpay trainings facilitated by the Wiraqocha Foundation have now evolved into something quite refined. Still pure to the intention, still true to the origin, and precise in its results, the Great Initiation is spiritually arduous, physically rugged, just not quite so uncomfortable.
Now everybody comes… everybody who is hearing the Call of Mother Nature: Doctors, nurses, social workers, farmers, engineers, housewives, healers, yoga practitioners, computer geeks, chefs, lawyers. People come from Hawaii, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, New York, Kansas, California, Peru, Texas, Georgia, Alaska, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Brazil, England, Costa Rica, and quite a few places I am forgetting.
They come to partake in an experience that belongs to all humanity; an authentic experience of connection in the sacred pilgrimage places of this ancient original culture. They come to spend six days with the Q’ero. They learn trust, love, integrity, generosity, collaboration…original Inka values. From day one we practice Ayni. We give and we receive. We practice the wisdom of the Inka Prophecy, to exchange our cultural gifts for the enhancement of all.
I am proud of what we are able to offer seekers of the Fourth Level – whether it is a book, lecture, seminar, retreat, or the authentic and spiritually powerful sacred ten-day Inka initiation experience in Peru.
And I am proud of the work the Wiraqocha Foundation has done during the last twenty-five years to help support the people of Q’ero with our Clean Water Project in collaboration with Living Bridges, building the Munay T’ika School, one of the first schools in Q’eros, donating tools to build trails between Q’ero villages, or taking 20 Q’ero kids on their first ever tour of Machu Pikchu in their Mother tongue.
To offer appropriate and desired aid to the Q’ero without destroying their cultural identity is a supreme challenge. The Foundation has served as a leading force for the preservation and promotion of the Inka path and culture, and has been instrumental in helping to raise awareness of the spiritual principles and wisdom of the Q’ero. The Foundation has saved lives and helped children.
I cordially invite YOU to help us continue our work.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Our Board of Directors & Advisors
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead
The Wiraqocha Foundation is governed by a small group of unpaid, volunteer global citizens: Elizabeth, Rowena, & Cyntha, and advised by a larger group listed here, who are committed to the mission of the Foundation. Board Members serve a term of two years and are responsible for fiscal and strategic oversight of the Foundation.
Elizabeth B. Jenkins
FOUNDER + EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A renowned spiritual teacher of the Inka Nature Wisdom Tradition, Wiraqocha Foundation Founder & Executive Director, Elizabeth B. Jenkins is the international bestselling author of The Return of the Inka, Journey to Q'eros, and The Fourth Level, widely regarded as the most influential books on the Inka Nature Mysticism Tradition. For 30 years she has worked to better the lives of the Q’ero people, and to promote the teachings of their Inka path and in 1996 founded Wiraqocha Foundation to resolve a 60% infant mortality rate and provide educational assistance to Q'ero youth. In 2010, Elizabeth led a Discovery Channel team to film never-before-seen rituals on Wamanlipa, the most sacred Q'ero mountain. In 2020, during the pandemic, Elizabeth began teaching courses with the Q'ero on Zoom to put food on their tables and WF sent over 30,000 lbs. of food by truck to Q'eros, installed WiFi in 4 Q'ero Villages for education and communication as well as water reservoirs needed due to global warming. In January, 2021 Elizabeth and 12 Q'ero Masters founded the GLOBAL PAQO SCHOOL, a year-long training with direct Quechua to English translation. In August of 2022, Elizabeth with GPS Faculty, all Presidents of Hatun Q'eros and about 80 Q'ero Community members, inaugurated the HATUN Q'EROS CULTURAL CENTER in Cuzco, Peru. Elizabeth B. Jenkins' works have been published throughout the world in 27 countries and translated into 24 languages. Her profound yet simple teachings have helped countless people from diverse paths across the globe to achieve wellbeing and find inner and outer harmony and personal power. She is also a licensed psychotherapist, cultural investigator, sought-after public speaker and organic farmer. She and her family live and work on their farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Theresa Puchly
For over 30 years, Theresa Puchly has practiced as a Naturopathic doctor and holistic practitioner focusing on women's health. Her specialty is in lymphatic drainage and healing energy work as a Reiki Master. For over 25 years, Theresa has served as a covenant companion journeying with the Wheaton Franciscan community. As a board member with the Care of Creation team through the Wheaton Franciscans and board member with the Covenant companion leadership team, Theresa is active in helping humanity. Theresa also enjoys being on the Emergency response team in Dupage county in Illinois and lives in the western suburbs of Chicago, Il.
Cyntha Gonzalez
Cyntha Gonzalez comes from American and Mexican backgrounds, having lived in both countries, and delved into the indigenous ways of both. She lived in Peru in the mid-1980’s, studying the coastal shamanic path. She currently lives in Dubai, UAE, her home for the last 24 years, where she regularly leads desert retreats of silence, fasting and deep connection to the land and self. She is a teacher, seminar leader, expressive arts trainer, coach and emotional and energy bodyworker, providing a safe place to encounter one’s deepest truth, face anything preventing its full expression and the support to live one’s most realized life – personally, professionally and as a contributing community member. Cyntha serves as WF secretary.
M. Kalani Souza
Kalani is a gifted storyteller, singer, songwriter, musician, performer, poet, philosopher, priest, political satirist and peacemaker. A Hawaiian practitioner and cross-cultural facilitator, he has experience in promoting social justice through conflict resolution. Executive director of the Olohana Foundation, a non-profit focused on community capacity, his workshops and lectures inspire, challenge and entertain the listener while calling all to be their greater self. His native roots allow him a unique perspective of the collision of two worlds: one steeped in traditional culture, the other a juggernaut of new morality and changing economic and political persuasion. He is a messenger of integration and collaboration in a world normally rife with exclusion, oppression and hopelessness. His work in behavior modification research, leadership, team-building and political strategy gives him generous insights into group dynamics and systems of governance.
Suzy Ross, Ph.D, CTRS, RTC
Dr. Suzy Ross is currently Director of Recreation Therapy for the Department of Health Science and Recreation at San Jose State University College of Applied Sciences and Arts. She also serves as consultant to the Veterans Administration and to individuals in private practice. As a therapist, she specializes in the treatment of women survivors of sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress, and in adventure therapy. Her doctoral research examined the underlying archetypal phenomenon of personal transformation and is the subject of her book, The Map to Wholeness: Finding Yourself through Crisis, Change, and Reinvention.
Audrey Peterman
Audrey Peterman is President and Co-founder of Earthwise Productions, Inc., an environmental consulting and publishing firm focused on connecting the public lands system and the American public. Audrey serves on the board of the National Parks Conservation Association, the Association of Partners for Public Lands, and the National Parks Promotion Council. She is co-author with her husband Frank of Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care, and the recently-released travel guide, Our True Nature: Finding a Zest for Life in the National Park System.
Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey
Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey, Ph.D., is the first female National Geographic fellow and the first Polynesian explorer at the National Geographic Society. An award-winning filmmaker and anthropologist, she is committed to ethnographic rescue - the conservation of vanishing indigenous knowledge and tradition. A descendant of Hawaiian chiefs, English seafarers, and Chinese merchants, Lindsey was raised by native Hawaiian elders who prophesied her role as a steward of ancestral wisdom. Lindsey's expeditions now take her to some of the most remote regions of the world. Lindsey has shared her passion for indigenous science with audiences throughout the world, including at Oxford University, Harvard University, the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Chrystelle Hadjikakou
Chrystelle Hadjikakou is a healer, teacher, filmmaker, writer, translator in German, English, and Spanish, and an initiate in the Scandinavian, Toltec, Mexica and Andean paths of energy techniques for self-empowerment and self-healing. A resident of Mexico City, she was featured as a contributing author in the international best -seller Transforming Through 2012, published in 2010.
Fredy Conde Huallpa
Fredy grew up in the Andean village of Lares, a place very similar to Q’eros. His first language was Quechua, and he was trained in the tradition by his Grandfather from the tender age of ten. Fredy is the very first official mystical tour guide of Cuzco, authorized by the Peruvian Tourism Authority. Part of Fredy's job is to train other tour guides in the authentic traditions of his land. He is a most excellent guide, a master of organizational details, and an expert simultaneous Quechua-to-English translator. Fredy has worked with Elizabeth Jenkins and the Wiraqocha Foundation for more than 15 years.
Claudio del Bo
Udine, Italy
Paola Ferraro
Udine, Italy
Our Wonderful Partners
The Wheaton Franciscan Sisters also collaborate with the Wiraqocha Foundation and offer their support.
MEET OUR FACULTY
THE GLOBAL PAQO SCHOOL
TEQSE MUYU PAQO YACHAY WASI
The Karpay, or energetic empowerment, given by our Ñust'a Paqos and Apu Paqos, along with their insight, humor, warmth, and glorious wisdom of the Inka lineage tradition is the perfect complementary knowleldge to all that the newest science is bringing to us-- the influence of HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS when merged with NATURE CONSCIOUSNESS.
Papa Don Martin
Apu Paqo
--Papa Don Martin Q'espi Machacca From Charqapata Says:
"NATURE SERVES AS TEACHER & GUIDE FOR THE SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION OF ALL HUMANITY"
Don Martin Q'espi Machacca is the undisputed head of our school, being one of the only remaining Q'ero masters to have attained the Alto Misha, also a student in the Wacho of the famed Don Manuel Q'espi. Papa Don Martin has been nine times elected LLAQTA ALCHAQ PAQO--the priest in charge of overseeing the physical and spiritual well-being of the entire Hatun Q'eros Community. This job title is to preview and prevent traumatic and disturbing events from arriving to the Q'ero Community through the art of Coca Qaway, to read the living energy world in the leaves of the Mama Coca, an amazing and powerful art of divination.
Papa Don Martin is a co-founder of the Global Paqo School.
Doña Agustina
Ñust’a Paqo
---Doña Agustina Ccapa Champi from Qolpa Kucho
Our QOYA or eldest Ñust'a Paqo, Doña Agustina, is a highly trained Ñust’a Paqo in the lineage of Don Andres Espinoza. She is the widow of the reknown altomishayoq Don Mariano Apaza who died in 2004, and was fully trained by him working side by side for many years. She is always surprising us with knowledge from the ancient lineage of Pachacuti and lore about Mishkayani--the Inkan metaphysical city of feminine power, lost in the amazon jungle. Agustina is a phenomenal weaver and has a huge, compassionate heart.
Papa Don Humberto
Apu Paqo
—Papa Don Humberto Sonqo Q'espi from Charqapata
Don Humberto Soncco Q'espi's name tells the story of who he is-- it means "crystal heart". Together with Papa Don Martin, Don Humberto is our most senior Apu Paqo with more than 60 years working as a paqo around the world. Don Humberto is known for his laughter, humor, generous warmheartedness and clear perception. Don Humberto and his late wife, Doña Bernardina, worked as a sacred healing couple for over 55 years, starting from when they were 14 and 15 years old, and following in the footsteps of their grandparents who were reknown Q'ero community healers.
Doña Monica
Ñust’a Paqo
—Doña Monica Q'espi Flores
Doña Monica is a famous talent, known for the beauty of her weavings in the Q'ero Community. She became a healer to cure herself from her own illness and "found her Paqo star," the guide for her healing work. She is a well trained Ñust'a Paqo and the great neice of the most famous Paqo of the 21st century Don Manuel Q'espi. Monica is also trained in the lineage of the late Don Mariano Apaza through her husband Juan Apaza and the work together as a yanantin partners to effect healing. Doña Monica is also a wonderful singer of the traditional Q'eros Taki--the traditional Inka "song chants" that celebrate Nature Beings.
Don Francisco
Apu Paqo
—Sr. Presidente Don Francisco Apaza Flores from Qolpa Kucho, Hatun Q'eros
Don Francisco is the current President of the Hatun Q'ero Community for 2025-2026 and an amazing community leader. He is the eldest son of Don Mariano Apaza and was fully trained by his father along with his two brothers, Ricardo and Juan. The brothers retain the Misha of their father, enshrined in their Q'ero home of Qolpa Kucho, and have built a Yachay Wasi (wisdom house) where they teach their ancestral wisdom to travelers as part of the SACRED TRAVEL program for regenerative tourism in Q'eros. Francisco has practiced Coca Leaf reading for over 30 years and is an acknowledged master at Coca Divination as well as healing. Francisco embodies the calming presence and patience of a mountain.
Doña Zenobia
Ñust’a Paqo
—Doña Zenovia Cruz Condori from Ch'eqa Pampa, Ausangate
Zenobia is known for her powerful WAHARIQUY (invocation) of the Nature Beings and her bubbly personality. Zenobia was raised on Ausangate Mountain, and trained by her grandmother, an exceptional reservoir of Ñust’a Paqo knowledge, who died at the ripe old age of about 120. Zenovia carries on her grandmothers traditions, and is an amazing weaver with a creative flair for innovative apparel, incorporating ancient designs.
Don Ricardo
Apu Paqo
—Don Ricardo Apaza Flores from Qolpa Kucho, Hatun Q'eros
Don Ricardo Apaza Flores is the youngest son of the late Don Mariano Apaza and is known for his enormous heart and gentleness. Ricardo received his first initiation at only 8 years-old at the Andean Mecca of Q'ollorit'i, and has been on the Paqo path ever since. Trained by his father and immersed in the tradition, Ricardo is one of the most sincere people you could ever meet. He works as a ceremonial Paqo, Healer, and Coca Leaf reader together with his two brothers.
Doña Marcosa
Ñust’a Paqo
—Doña Marcosa Flores Pauqar from the Q'ero village of Charqapata
Doña Marcosa is the daughter-in-law of Don Humberto Soncco and the late Doña Bernardina fully trained by her as a Ñust'a Paqo. A respected community leader, she delights in sharing her knowledge and initiations in the tradition with all of her students. Marcosa is acknowledged as possessing one of the most potent invocations for Pichay (cleansing) and is an expert in traditional knowledge, cleansings, healings, and offerings, as well as being a supremely gifted weaver.
Don Juan
Apu Paqo
—Don Juan Apaza Flores from Qolpa Kucho
Don Juan is a lot of fun! Juan is the middle son of the late Don Mariano Apaza, an internationally known Alto Misha who left this world in 2004. Juan is trained in the lineage of his father as a great Inka wisdom teacher, and he is also a clown and a character. Don Juan is a highly skilled and expert Coca Leaf Reader, healer, and ceremonial artist. He works as a Yanantin (sacred couple) healer with his wife Monica Q'espi. Juan is the most extroverted of the Apaza brothers and loves to joke and play.
Elizabeth
Ñust’a Paqo
—Elizabeth B. Jenkins born in Manhattan, New York
Elizabeth B. Jenkins MA, MFT is a Mom, Organic Farmer, 35 year student of Inka Nature Wisdom held by the Q'ero Nation of Peru, and international best-selling author of three books on Inka Nature Wisdom. She founded Wiraqocha Foundation in 1996. In January, 2021 she founded the Global Paqo School to employ the Q’ero Masters during the pandemic, and also co-founded Q'ero Wayruroni Association, to better serve the Q'ero communities in Peru. She resides with her yanantin Barney, on her organic coffee and macadamia nut farm on the Big Island of Hawai`i where she collaborates with Native Hawaiian elders and the magical Volcanic Island forces of Nature.
Fredy
Paqo
—Fredy Conde Huallpa from Rosas Pata Community of Lares
Fredy Conde Huallpa is a Native Quechua speaker and extraordinary Quechua to English translator, inexhaustible mountain trekker, and the very first Mystical Tour Guide authorized by the Peruvian Tourism Authority. Fredy trains other tours guides in the traditions of his Inka ancestors and has worked with Wiraqocha Foundation for over 20 years. Fredy is currently co-manager of the Hatun Q'eros Cultural Center in Cusco, and helps administer WF aid projects in the Hatun Q'eros Community. Fredy is a marvel and a gem, worth his weight in Inka gold.
Karina
Ñust’a Paqo
—Karina Quipse Calcina from Challma Chimpana, Hatun Q'eros
At only 22 years old, Karina is one of our youngest Ñust'a Paqos from the Community of Challma Chimpana. She currently works at the Hatun Q'eros Cultual Center in Cusco and will travel outside the US for the first time to help translate for our Q'ero Faculty at our Costa Rica Retreat.
Ways to Contribute
The Wiracocha Foundation offers many ways you can participate and contribute. Money donations are always welcome, as well as these other avenues that directly impact the Q’eros lives.
Global Paqo School
Peru Expeditions
Adopt an Alpaca
Stuffed Animals
Sunday Sami Services
Online Zoom Events
Wills & Trusts