Peru

Established in 2014, WMF Peru serves as a local representative for WMF, assisting with project management and outreach.

WMF first became involved in Peru in 1997, when a call to develop a conservation and urban rehabilitation plan for a twelve-block stretch in Cusco's Historic Center. Three years later, a group of local personalities led by Marcela Temple founded the Committee for Conservation of Peru’s Heritage Sites, to support WMF’s growing involvement there. Its inaugural project at Huaca de la Luna was supported by a $1 million grant through the Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage. In 2014, the Committee became WMF Peru, establishing WMF’s affiliate office in the region.

Over the past few years, WMF’s team in Peru has been involved with two site-recovery projects related to commemorate the bicentennial of Peru’s independence: the restoration of the facade of the MALI Museum with a grant from the European Union and the landscape design and urban renovation of the Parque de la Exposición, made possible by the real estate company Inversiones Centenario.

Between 2021 and 2022, WMF Peru received support from the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grant from the U.S. Department of State for its work on Cerro Sechín’s stone slabs and engagement with surrounding communities in the Casma Valley. In addition, WMF provided funds from its Crisis Response Fund to restore the historic church and tower of La Jalca Grande, which had suffered major damage following a devastating earthquake. More recently, the team joined efforts with local and international partners to restore Kuelap Fortress after the collapse of a section of its south wall due to heavy rains. Finally, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco started restoration work at the church of the San Francisco de Asís de Marcapata after years of collaboration on the technical dossier alongside WMF, the Society of Jesus, and the Marcapata Parish.

Today, WMF Peru continues to support the projects integrating heritage, landscape, and local development while improving the quality of life of the populations around cultural heritage sites.

WMF Peru Board of Directors

• Juan Carlos Verme Giannoni, President
• Martha Zegarra Portella, Vice President
• Annick Benavides Workman
• Juan Pablo de la Puente Brunke
• Xavier de Romaña Benson
• Elizabeth Dulanto de Miró Quesada
• Claudia Ganoza Temple
• Marcela Ganoza Temple
• Manuel Ugarte Maggiolo