Quite a few people ask:

how can I help the people of Peru?

there are a large number of ways to help - simply your visit, buying at local restaurants, shopping in the streets, helps. (be considerate - stay away from expensive hotels with large conglomerate owners!)

other people like to help by volunteering.

Apus Peru, working with RUFADA (the Rural Family Development Association of the Sacred Valley) are now offering the following "donation packages" so you know what you are donating to.

pictured right: Helder Gutierrez, of RUFADA and Ariana Svenson of Apus Peru during a visit to the remote community of Q'elkanka.

DONATION OF SEEDS FOR GREENHOUSES

Each of these high mountain schools has a greeenhouse (made out of stone) which is operated as part of the school curriculum by the teachers who aim to teach children about growing plants (which do not normally grow in the high mountain areas), as well as provide some much needed nutrition to the children. A donation of just $25 pays for all the seeds for one school's greenhouse.

pictured right: teacher Veronica of Yanamayo school shows the vegetables growing in the greenhouse.

DONATION OF CITRIC FRUIT TO ADD VITAMINS TO CHILDREN'S DIET

It is important that during the winter that in the high, cold and arid Andean communities that the children's food has all the necessary vitamins and minerals which help to evade respirartory infections. In Chaullacocha there are approximately 45 students, including those in PRONOEI.

If you donate the following amounts you will contribute the following:

$11.00 – for three days of the school week each child will receive an orange

$11.00 – for three days of the school week each child will receive an “ lima ” (citric fruit mixed between lemon and orange)

$22.00 – for five days of the school week each child will receive a banana

$25.00 – for two days a week a slice of pineapple.

BAS IC HYGIENE

Children in these areas lack Basic higiene skills and habits. In this Project, we donate Basic ítems (toothbrush, toothpaste, a cup, soap, soap container and small towel) to the school. These items must stay in the school, with each child's name on it, and the teachers will utilize the items each day as part of a health program.

This is not a “new” idea in these high communities – toothbrushes and toothpaste have been donated previously to the children who have taken them home, never to be seen (or presumably used) again as the parents generally have poor hygiene habits and do not encourage the children to be clean. The difference is that this initiatve has been suggeseted by the teachers as part of their daily school routine and the items will remain in the school.

$200 – initial purchase for school children of toothbrush, toothpaste, a cup, soap, soap container and small towel

$120 – initial purchase for kindergarten children of toothbrush, toothpaste, a cup, soap, soap container and small towel

$50 – every two months will maintain the program (ie new soap and toothpaste)

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.