Casa Sango
Alternative Intercultural School Cashibococha
In the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, on the shores of Lake Cashibococha, Casa Sanango is creating a place where education, creativity, and respect for nature come together.
Founded by Czech painter Otto Placht and led by Karla Tello Reátegui, the Casa Sanango Foundation began as an educational initiative supporting children from Indigenous and marginalized communities of the Peruvian Amazon. Today, the project is evolving into a 54-hectare natural learning park located near the Shipibo community of Santa Terezita.
The site will include a school, artists' studios, a gallery, and educational trails through the rainforest. Its mission is to preserve ancestral knowledge, protect the unique ecosystem of the Amazon, and inspire future generations to develop a deep connection with nature, culture, and creativity.
By helping children learn from their elders, understand their traditions, and care for the environment, Casa Sanango seeks to nurture future guardians of the rainforest.
Our Journey So Far
2019
The Casa Sanango project began in 2019 with a vision to create a space for education, creativity, and the protection of the Amazon rainforest. Over time, a dedicated team was formed and the first ideas for educational and cultural programs took shape.
2020-2026
Since 2020, we have organized 14 workshops focused on rainforest conservation, music, visual arts, and other educational topics. We have also created an outdoor cinema for children, organized sports competitions, and developed a variety of activities that encourage creativity, cooperation, and a deeper connection with nature.
2026
In early 2026, Otto Placht purchased land on the shores of Lake Cashibococha, where the future school and project facilities are now being developed.
What We Are Working On Now
2026
We are currently developing a project focused on producing natural dyes derived from Amazonian plants. As part of this initiative, we plan to establish a cultivation area that will support the future production of natural silk and other sustainable materials.
2026
At the same time, we are planting a variety of species used for food production, natural dyes, and traditional medicinal purposes. Our goal is to create a living educational environment where knowledge about the sustainable use of Amazonian resources can be preserved and shared with future generations.
Join us in bringing this vision to life. Every contribution helps build a place where knowledge, culture, and nature can thrive together.
Contributions can be made to bank account: 2703347245/2010 or via QR code:
Donations will be used for:
Land Preparation
Funds will be used to prepare the site and create the necessary infrastructure and facilities.
Children's Education
Contributions will support the purchase of school supplies, educational materials, and teachers' salaries, helping ensure that children have access to quality education.
Arts & Crafts Studio
A dedicated space for ceramics, painting, and other artistic activities that will foster creativity, education, and the cultural development of the local community.
Meet the Team
Founder
Otto Placht
Otto Placht is a Czech artist who has spent decades living and working in the Peruvian Amazon. His artistic practice and long-term relationships with local communities inspired the vision for Casa Sanango.
Director
Karla Reátegui
Karla was born in the port town of Yarinacocha in the Peruvian Amazon and comes from a family with Chinese and Indigenous heritage, including Asháninka ancestry. For more than twenty years, she has been involved in educational, cultural, and environmental projects supporting local communities.
Her experience includes initiatives in sustainable agriculture, education, and social development in collaboration with World Vision and UNICEF. Today, she focuses on reforestation, sustainable use of Amazonian resources, and the development of community programs within the Casa Sanango project.
Scientific Advisor
Roberto Zariquiey PhD.
Roberto contributes scientific expertise and educational outreach to the project. Through lectures, research-based presentations, and awareness activities, he helps connect the realities of the Amazon with a broader international audience.
He also leads the Chana Station project, which focuses on the research and documentation of Peruvian Indigenous languages and communities.
Photos from workshops
