Llama Love

Posted by Sandi Watson On Monday, February 14, 2011
Have you ever seen a llama or alpaca up close? They are beautiful animals, with their big eyes, flirty eyelashes, long legs, and soft fleece.

alpacas in Pacchanta, Peru  April 2010
For the Heifer project families who raise them, llamas and alpacas are also tremendously useful. After turning the fleece into yarn, families can create blankets, hats, ponchos, and other items. During our volunteers study tour in Peru, we learned that these beautiful weavings are also part of a rich cultural heritage. Special symbols such as condors, alpacas, mountains, and rivers honor Mother Earth.

Sometimes white fibers are dyed, using inks made from local plants. Other times, the weavers use only the naturally occurring colors – rich browns, pale taupes, creamy whites.

All these hand-crafted pieces are an important source of income for the families.

Llamas thrive at high altitudes, as we saw when we visited Pacchanta (over 13,000 feet above sea level). They are nimble and strong, able to carry loads to market. And because they are related to camels, they don’t need much water.

The next time you need a fun gift for a loved one, consider giving a llama in your beloved’s name. The person you honor will be thrilled and you’ll make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people who receive your gift!
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Sandi Watson, Heifer International Area Volunteer Coordinator
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This blog is the online home to a grassroots volunteer group with a common goal of fulfilling Heifer International's basic mission - To end hunger and poverty and save the earth by passing on the gift to others. We are an extension of Heifer International and together we are improving our world and the lives of resource-poor families while building the foundation for a peaceful world in practical, down-to-earth ways.