Alpaca

An alpaca is a great investment in a family’s future!

Your gift will make a big difference in the lives of farming families in Ecuador’s Andean highlands.

Alpaca wool can be knitted into hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other items to protect against harsh weather. Naturally water-resistant and prized for its durability, alpaca wool is even softer and warmer than sheep’s wool because its smooth, hollow fibers hold in heat.

Alpacas are accustomed to the high elevation of the Andes and thrive in mountainous terrain. They live about 20 years, and each alpaca produces around 10 pounds of wool annually — plenty to use, and extra to sell. That’s long-term income the families can use to help build better futures.

Not only do the animals provide income that helps improve children’s health, nutrition, and their families’ livelihoods, but their presence helps promote land conservation and a rebalance of the indigenous ecosystem. Unlike the hooves of cows and sheep, alpacas’ padded feet protect even fragile terrain from damage. And thanks to the efficiency of their digestive systems, they produce minimal levels of methane.

Your gift of an alpaca today can help more hardworking families thrive in one of the world’s toughest environments!