Indira Huapaya
Peruvian indigenous rights leader and founder of 'Wanakurapi', empowering Amazon communities through education and health
Indira Huapaya (b.1985) is a Quechua leader transforming health outcomes in Peru's Amazon region through her organization Wanakurapi. Established in 2008, this grassroots initiative combines traditional medicine with modern healthcare to serve over 50,000 indigenous people across 150 remote communities. Huapaya's work addresses the critical gap in healthcare access - only 35% of Amazonians have access to hospitals, and 60% lack clean water.
Her innovations include:
- First mobile health clinic using solar-powered medical devices
- Traditional healers' certification program recognized by Peru's Ministry of Health
- Telemedicine network connecting remote villages to urban specialists
Huapaya pioneered the Chaski Health Courier system, where trained community members use motorcycles and boats to deliver medicines across the rainforest. This network has reduced infant mortality by 40% in participating areas. Her social media campaigns highlight indigenous health challenges, gaining global attention during the pandemic when Amazon communities faced vaccine inequity.
Her education programs train 200+ youth annually in bilingual health communication, creating a new generation of Quechua medical professionals. Huapaya's partnership with UNICEF led to the development of culturally appropriate health manuals now used in 8 Latin American countries.
Key achievements:
- Negotiated Peru's first indigenous health policy inclusion in national legislation (2016)
- Received the Right Livelihood Award (2019) for community health work
- Established the first Amazonian medicinal plant database with 1,200+ species documented
Huapaya's advocacy during the 2021 protests against Amazon deforestation led to a 30% reduction in illegal logging in her region. Her TED Talk 'Healing the Amazon, One Community at a Time' has over 800,000 views, positioning her as a global voice for indigenous health sovereignty. Wanakurapi's model is now being replicated in the Congo Basin and Indonesian rainforests.