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Quillagua

Managing water use in Quillagua

In early 2021, we inaugurated a dam with a capacity to store 30 million liters of water from the Loa River, for human, agricultural and livestock consumption. And during the following years, we increased the dam’s capacity to 40 million liters of water and cleaned more than 3,500 meters of irrigation canals in the Quillagua Valley, plus we repaired the adduction area of canal N1 on the Loa River. 

Achievements:

  • It is 100% ecological as it has a gravity loading and unloading system.
  • Water supply without major problems during the last 3 years.
  • We signed an agreement with the Aymara Community and CONAF, considering contributions for the Quillagua Rural Drinking Water System, which was given a van in order to facilitate transportation for managing the drinking water plant, as well as making field trip visits and repairs.
  • Installation of a power line connecting the town to plot 74, given in commodate to the hydroponic cooperative of Quillagua.
  • Construction of a desalination plant and improvement of irrigation water quality from the Loa River to supply the hydroponic cooperative and the farmers of Quillagua. It is expected to be commissioned in the first months of 2024.

Hydroponics in Quillagua

We have continued with operations in regards to the hydroponic greenhouse in Quillagua and with permanent support from agronomists. This greenhouse is currently working with an NFT system with lettuce and soilless vegetables such as bell peppers, chili peppers, cilantro, parsley, among others.

Achievements:

  • We received visits from the children living at Quillagua, so they can learn about the system in a didactic way. 
  • We also received visits from kindergarten children of Camaroncito Kindergarten in Quillagua, as well as a delegation from Pozo Almonte, the Maria Elena Women’s Delegation, students from Ignacio Carrera Pinto School and a group of workers from SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, Santiago Office. 

Safe Summer in Quillagua

A new version of “Safe Summer” was held in Quillagua, which is a family event to enjoy during summer vacations. The event schedule included entertaining sports, recreational activities and environmental activities as well, for people of all ages.

Achievements:

  • Workshops on environmental care and cleaning operatives in the Loa River. As well as gastronomy, looming and earthworm breeding workshops focused on the rescue of the Aymara Culture.
  • Development of sports and recreational activities for all ages, including new sports like AirBadminton and Baseball. 

Aymara Community of Quillagua

 We are part of a dialogue table set with the Aymara Community of Quillagua, where we made the following contributions during 2023:

  • Tourist Information and Promotion: Installation of Puquios access signs, replacement of 25 tourist site signs, development of a web page, installation of 2 map signs and HR training. 
  • Quillagua Recreational Center: Design and paper work process, construction support, cabins and other facilities. 

Productive Development

Closure of Montes de Oro, irrigation canal cleaning, Chug Chu support, competitive funds and small tourism initiatives, preparation and paper work process for Plan de Vida projects.

“Saberes & Sabores” Program in Quillagua:

The “Saberes & Sabores de Nuestra Tierra” Program was launched in Quillagua, and initiative that seeks to rescue and disseminate the ancestral culinary art of the Aymara people. It highlights the value of the gastronomic heritage of the locality, bringing back to life traditions, celebrations, family rites and experiences that have been transmitted from generation to generation, and that are embodied in exquisite preparations and typical dishes.

Achievements:

  • In 2022, the architectural design for a restaurant was completed in order to benefit the Aymara people, which is currently in the implementation stage for sanitary permits and other necessary paper work to continue its construction.

Trades Production Program in Quillagua

We boosted this program together with the ONA Foundation, which is focused on enhancing and revitalizing the value of Quillagua’s heritage trades, installing a place for skills improvement and spaces for the transfer of knowledge and commercialization. 

Achievements:

  • Training sessions with sculptors and workshop participants from Southern Chile, who applied new techniques with carving knives and axes.
  • A line of wooden artifacts was developed for weaving crafts, through carved pieces in carob wood. Knitting knives, needles and other elements of great quality and aesthetic content were elaborated. 
  • For the textile workshop held in 2023, the equipment was renewed by purchasing looms from one of the best brands in Chile, where each user has her own loom, comb, tools and bag for transport and storage, which was given to her on loan
  • An Andean Cordage course was imparted, in order to learn about ancestral and pre-Hispanic textile techniques.
  • During the celebrations of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of Quillagua, tourists and locals enjoyed an exhibition called “Nostalgia Collection” in the town’s main square.