Peru

(Peru Apurimac Project

)

Supporting community projects in Peru

Bulletin No 13

London

4 July

2009

In Apurimac and Callao, January 2009

Apurimac , a rural Quechua speaking region of Peru, has a high levelof extreme poverty (65.9%). Only 42% of homes have access to running waterand only 54% of homes have electricity.

We visited Apurimac again in

January. We also paid a brief visit to Abancay, the capital of Apurimac, and

Andahuaylas. The roads are for the

main part not tarmac

ed. Andahuaylas is a

small commercial city due to its Sunday market and to the people frompeasant communities in the area who visit Andahuaylas to trade their animals and produce.Like other parts of Apurimac, the mountain roads

to Chiara are stony, dirt roads and are very difficult

to travel on, especially in bad weather. This was the rainy season when the area suffers landslides

and flooding and can be very dangerous. Despite demands for improved roads, Chiara is still waitingto see any improvements. After 6 hours travelling on these uneven roadsbadly affected in parts by flooding which detained us, we finally arrived in

Chiara. We were met by the villagers, including the Womens Club and

representatives of the community as we

ll as a group of villagers who perform

the dance with acrobatics known as Negrillos, typical of the region. Ourvisit included seeing the Womens Centre which was built by the Project,

and visiting the foundations of the future Village Hall. This was our

fifth visit

and each time we have seen some improvement in the conditions of the people in the village, and this

time we learned about a State nutrition and education programme which the village is included in.

Nevertheless, Chiara, like Huillcayhua

and other villages in the area still suffer problems withchildhood malnutrition, which affects nearly 70% of the children according to the doctor we spoke to at

the little Medical Centre in Chiara. He mentioned a project he had in mind to diagnose and t

reat the

majority of the children in the village who are unfortunately infested with parasites, which affects theirnutritional status and their educational ability. We hope to help with this in the future if he can get us

more information.

Peruap made s

ome donations: a type of basic oven with chimney, to replace the

pile of logs used for cooking which damages the lungs and eyes of the women

and the small children with them, was bought for the Womens Centre. A

donation of toys for children proved very popular. Building materials to help

construct the village hall was provided. Finally the project gave a sink and glass for the windows, both

for the Womens Centre.

On returning to Lima, we gave a presentation with photos of the work the project has done in

Chiarafor people who originated from the village and who now live in Callao. In Pedro Ruiz Gallo, an area

like many in Callao with high levels of unemployment amongst young people the project organised a

workshop whereby talks about drug addiction and tee

nage pregnancy/contraception were given by

doctors working in these fields.

The total of the donations given, including another donation of toys given to children living in a shantytown in Callao, came to approximately (due to exchange rates) of £479.10 (2,395.50 new soles in

Peruvian currency).

Our thanks to the people of Chiara for their hospitality, to the Womens Club

there for looking after us and to the leaders of the village, to the doctors who gave their time to give

the talks in Callao, to Grupo Amistad (our group of helpers in Callao), and to the Association of

Chiarinos in Callao.

Please note that all travelling expenses, lodging and food, and personalexpenses come from our own pockets and not from Peruap funds

Inti Raymi and San Juan event 27th June 2009

We would like to express our gratitude to all the people who contributed to the event whichtook place on 27th June to celebrate Inti Raymi and the Day of San Juan. We would like to send

special thanks to those who gave their time volu

taril

y to help during the event

thanks to Cristina

Motta, Mehdi, Brinner, Dunia Ball, Carmen Gorriti and her mother, Maria Anne (Futuro Feliz), Liz,

Gis

ele, Jessica Luong for the donation of the raffle basket

and contents

Our thanks

o Medalit Soto

(Proyecto Amazonia) as co-

organiser of the event and

o the public for their support

The event showed a colourful display of traditional Peruvian dances

costumes

and music

- BailePeru, Expresion Inca, Somos Peru, Ollantay, Kausary

Despite the good show and friendlyatmosphere

after costs were taken into consideration we have made a loss of money on this event.

However we are extremely grateful to the public who attended and we are looking forward to our nextfund

raising event. Many thanks.

Our next fund raising event: Peruvian Independence Day 26th July

Peruap is organising a party to celebrate

Peruvian National Day withPeruvians and friends. Everyone is welcome to enjoy typical Peruvian foodand entertai

ment. The entrance ticket is £ 7 which includes a raffle ticket.There will be

a show with live music and dancing from the coastal area of

Peru, featuring Ayer y Hoy music group (guitar, vocals and

Peruvian

cajon), plus Afro Peruvian dancing group Ritmo y sabor. Food includestraditional cebiche, anticuchos, picarones, and more.

Venue: 202

Coldharbour Lane, Lambeth, London SW9.

More information:

peruapu@yahoo.co.uk

l: 02086998731

Blog

http://peru

ap.blogspot.com/

The

Friaje

problem in the Andes

Our project is intending to make a donation in order to help people in the Andes suffering from

friaje,

phenomenon of intense cold

that

happen

every year during winter

. Friaje is particularly

intense in areas 4,000 metres or more above sea level specially in so

uthern parts of the country

such as Puno.

he indigenous communities that live in these areas are some of the poorest

andth

ey are

affected by hypothermia, bronchitis and pneumonia

. So far 133 children

have been reportedto have died due to the seasonal flu caused by the low temperatures

. Unfortunately friaje attracts

little attention

the media

and

the authorities. We

ppeal to those who would like to help to make adonation. We are intending to buy a number

blankets in order to help children

who are

the mostvulnerable. There is currently

in Peru

a campaign

to help Huancavelica

, another

region

affected

Peruap will make contact with Caritas of Peru

We already have made contact with CEAS ( Episcopal

Commission for Social Action) and a voluntary group Amistad so as to they can coordinate the

donation

in Peru

with Caritas on our behalf.

About us

Peruap

is a voluntary group based in London. We organize events to raise funds in order tohelp community groups in Peru that live in poverty. For more information about our work in Peru youcan visit our Blog. We also have a bulletin and organize presentations w

ith photos and other types of

materials.

Anyone who would like to volunteer is welcome to help with our fund raising events. Any

donation will be very much appreciated, simply contact our treasurer

Liz to her email or telephone:

02086998731

Many

Thanks.

Claudio Chipana

Judith Grimsdell

If you would like to volunteer or give a donation, please call or write to us .For further information contact us on:

Tel 0208 6998731