GOALS  INKA Foundation's goal is to positively change the lives of children and their communities with the priceless gift of knowledge preparing them for the demand of the modern world. The education levels in rural Latin-America are behind those of the better-funded schools, this puts rural students at a distinct disadvantage.  THE PROJECT Niños Chasing Dreams “A place for the imagination to grow and for dreams to come true” Until recently there was an arts center in the small rural town of Pedro Vicente Maldonado - Nor occident - Ecuador. The children would gather there to draw and paint, to sing and dance – to express their creativity as only children can. Due to economic pressure the center was forced to close. The INKA Foundation is committed to providing new facilities for the children of the Nor occident. A secure place that will resist economic pressure and provide continuous support and training to more than 3000 young people of the region. Our vision is to create independent, multi-purpose facilities that will be home to both fine arts and performing arts. Dedicated professionals skilled and trained in various disciplines will direct the center. Latin America is a region of contrasting lives. Way up in the Andes Mountains live the indigenous people descended from the oldest civilization in the world. Down below, cosmopolitan cityscapes are home to millions of urban workers. In between live the rural communities, in small towns and villages. Together these people create the unique Latin American flavors and rhythms known all over the world. Latin American culture may be rich but the average person is not. The gap in wealth between the urban, rural and indigenous populations is huge. INKA's mission is to positively change the lives of rural children by providing independent art centers. How much will it cost? INKA Foundation is receiving the support of international architects to design a facility that is environmentally friendly, functional, enduring and cost-effective to build. We will be using local materials, skills and labor for this project. We are working with the eminent Dr. Vicente Hidalgo – a resident of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, supporter of the arts and INKA’s vision – on a land acquisition project. We hope to break ground early in 2009. The estimate for this facility is currently at $120,000 dollars. How will it be funded? We need your help. It is only with the help of informed, dedicated individuals like you that we can successfully complete this important project. Open your hearts and see the difference you can make, lets chase dreams together; Los Niños are waiting for us. We are keeping accurate donor records so that all contributors can be duly recognized and credited for their contributions. Hope: Once our programs are in place and running across Ecuador, using Ecuador as a model; we aim to reach children of rural Latin-America through main universities and, perhaps in the not too distant future reach the rest of the world.	SEE VIDEOS OF ACTIVITIES INKA IN THE NORTH OCCIDENT- ECUADOR ARTISTIC PROGRAM ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT	PROJECTS Create an independent, multi-purpose center in the rural Nor Occident of Ecuador, that will be home to both fine arts and performing arts. This project will embrace around 3000 children year round.  For the young audience the development of artistic disciplines in a secure environment under the direction of skilled instructors is our goal. We believe visual education is the gateway to successful development for the young generation. The center will be a hub of artistic expression and development as well as providing a platform were different educational disciplines can link to a free and open mind.