At Fundación Ayllu, we believe that stability, education, and opportunity are the foundation for a stronger future. Our mission is to provide a secure and nurturing environment for families while fostering community-wide economic and educational development. We are committed to creating spaces where children can thrive academically, families can access vital resources, and artisans can build sustainable businesses.

Through a combination of housing, after-school programs, vocational training, and small business development, Fundación Ayllu empowers individuals to take control of their futures while preserving their cultural identity. By providing long-term solutions rather than temporary aid, we ensure that families in Bolivia have access to the tools and opportunities they need to break cycles of poverty and build a better future for generations to come.

In 2006, the Paredes family of Cochabamba, Bolivia, connected with Global Gallery while traveling through the United States, selling handcrafts to fair trade stores. Their work highlighted the rich cultural traditions and craftsmanship of the Quechua community, but it also revealed the economic and educational challenges many Bolivian families face. Recognizing the need for greater support, Dr. Connie DeJong, then Global Gallery’s Executive Director, traveled to Bolivia to meet with the Paredes family and visit Quechua communities firsthand. From that visit, a shared vision for economic empowerment and educational access was born.

Over the next decade, through various fundraising efforts, volunteer support, and international partnerships, Global Gallery—under the leadership of Ralph and Connie DeJong—helped fund the construction of essential community spaces. These included a two-unit family-style home, a recreation space for children, and a multi-use community building that now houses after-school classrooms and a medical clinic. The Paredes family generously donated the land for these projects, while volunteers from Cochabamba, the United States, and beyond worked together to bring them to life.

Today, Fundación Ayllu is a thriving center for education, economic development, and community support. We provide housing for families in need, after-school programs for over 100 children, access to medical assistance, and small business opportunities through a bakery, organic garden, and artisan center. Our work continues to expand, with volunteers and partners from around the world contributing to new projects and initiatives.

At the heart of Fundación Ayllu is a strong partnership between Bolivian artisans, educators, and international advocates working toward a common goal: preserving Quechua culture while building a future of opportunity, resilience, and long-term self-sufficiency. This collaboration has fostered deep friendships and a community-driven approach that ensures the work we do is sustainable, ethical, inclusive, and culturally respectful.