The year of 2017 brought many volunteers and new projects to the schools. First and foremost, new classrooms, a library and computer lab were begun in Pampacorral. Parents and students are helping with the construction. The trout farm there is also providing much needed nutrition for the students. This is all possible through the support of many generous donors. In addition to this major construction, the Andes Education Fund has supplied uniforms, books, nutritional supplements, and supplies for the classrooms. Kudos to the many volunteers that have assisted in these efforts.
One of the fun traditions we participate in each year is the awarding of Senior Jackets to the graduating class.
Art project in the classroom
Geography lessons are welcome
Providing desks for teachers
Students helping with new building
Handing out new backpacks loaded with new school supplies
Computer lab funded by Andes Ed
Because most visitors do not speak Spanish, simple art projects transcend language and allows for some one-on-one engagement.
Eye exams at the schools
Eye exams at the schools
Doctors explaining eye exam procedure to students
Local mamas waiting for eye exams at the school
Always the dancing!
Presenting senior jackets to graduating class
New books = magic
Going to one of the schools requires a drive over the 14,700' pass. Cold and high!
The Incas used to have runners called "chasquis", sort of like our old Pony Express. Talley decided to run the 10 miles from the school to the top of the pass...poco loco!
Machu Picchu
View of Sacred Valley. No matter where one turns, there seems to be amazing vistas.
Ruins at Pisac. Examples of the Incan engineering, both their terraces and buildings, are amazing.
The mamas. On occasion, when a large group accompanies me, the mamas come to school to display and sell their beautiful, intricate textiles. The weavings are all done from memory; they weave or knit around 4 hours a day.
Library. Look closely and you will notice that this library is made from adobe and bottles. The parents built it with the hopes that their children would have a place to enjoy books. We have had a great time fulfilling their wishes.
New uniforms
Every trip includes playground equipment
Library. Along with books, we have provided puzzles, games, etc. The kids love this room.
Greenhouse. We provided the money for the greenhouse, but the kids do all of the gardening...and the consuming.
My sincere and grateful thanks for your generous donations and trust; this is a worthy project.
Debbie
2015
In 2015 we saw many changes and progress in the schools. Because of government assignments, two of our directors were transferred to different schools, so we now have two new schools along with our previous schools. This makes for a busy trip, but reaching out to new schools and communities is even more rewarding.
New jumpropes, joy!
Handing out new backpacks loaded with new school supplies
Computer lab funded by Andes Ed
Because most visitors do not speak Spanish, simple art projects transcend language and allows for some one-on-one engagement.
Eye exams at the schools
Eye exams at the schools
Doctors explaining eye exam procedure to students
Local mamas waiting for eye exams at the school
Always the dancing!
Presenting senior jackets to graduating class
New books = magic
Going to one of the schools requires a drive over the 14,700' pass. Cold and high!
The Incas used to have runners called "chasquis", sort of like our old Pony Express. Talley decided to run the 10 miles from the school to the top of the pass...poco loco!
Machu Picchu
View of Sacred Valley. No matter where one turns, there seems to be amazing vistas.
Ruins at Pisac. Examples of the Incan engineering, both their terraces and buildings, are amazing.
The mamas. On occasion, when a large group accompanies me, the mamas come to school to display and sell their beautiful, intricate textiles. The weavings are all done from memory; they weave or knit around 4 hours a day.
Library. Look closely and you will notice that this library is made from adobe and bottles. The parents built it with the hopes that their children would have a place to enjoy books. We have had a great time fulfilling their wishes.
New uniforms
Every trip includes playground equipment
Library. Along with books, we have provided puzzles, games, etc. The kids love this room.
Greenhouse. We provided the money for the greenhouse, but the kids do all of the gardening...and the consuming.
My sincere and grateful thanks for your generous donations and trust; this is a worthy project.
Debbie
2014
2014 was a banner year with the schools. It has been most gratifying to see the impact that the Andes Education Fund has had on each school. The generosity of friends has made a significant difference in the lives of students and parents.
First graduating class of Felix Puma Charity School
Dancing in celebration of the new kitchen
Pampacorral is a small village located at 13,000'. The students walk for many miles from their isolated huts to attend class each day and receive a meal. The mothers take turns cooking for the 90 students in a windowless area and the students eat outside. So it was with great pleasure that we celebrated the semi-finished kitchen and dining hall that will hold all of the students in the often inclement, cold weather. The parents are responsible for the planning and building of the facility, the Andes Education Fund supplies the needed funds.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling the back roads of Peru is the scenery. The llamas and alpacas are everywhere.
2012 - 2013
2012-2013 found us in Peru four times. In April of both years, we traveled to each of the four schools and delivered enough school supplies, athletic equipment, and books (30 boxes) to sustain each student though the school year.
A highlight of the year was the opening of a kitchen at the secondary school, Felix Puma. The materials were paid for by the Andes Education Fund, but built by the community...a win-win deal. It is large enough to house all of the students and provides a much needed building for the mamas who cook for the school. Much of the food is taken from the greenhouse we built the year before. Last fall we also did basic eye examinations for the students and parents. It was very rewarding to see the parents put on reading glasses and have an "aha!" moment.
October 2011...
October of 2011 marked the beginning of a new greenhouse at the secondary school which is located outside of Chinchero at an elevation of 12,600'. This will provide veggies and fruit to enhance their diet of fava beans and potatoes.
We were also able to help fund a water tank and a school shower at the primary school which is located in the same vicinity. The majority of the students do not have access to running water; this tank provides steady source of water for the school and surrounding neighbors. At this school, we also had a meeting with all of the mothers to discuss their health concerns.
The students of Pampacorral loved the globe we brought, along with the other school supplies, art projects and dental supplies. Because they are very remote, at an altitude of 13.000', we are met with great enthusiasm and appreciation with each trip.
October 2010...
On October 22, my two daughters, Teryle and Gwyn, and I set off to visit the schools and access their needs. We also wanted to be at one of the schools when a large shipment of books and hygiene kits arrived from Lima. The books were donated by a local charitable organization; we just had to pay to get them shipped from Lima to Cusco. It proved to be well worth the shipping cost as the books, hygiene kits, and blankets were greatly needed and appreciated by the 70 students and their parents. We spent a fun morning at this village school, located at 12,500 feet on the high plains between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The new director also asked if we might have the funds to help them buy tables, chairs, bookcases, and 5 computers for a library. They have the designated room, but it is empty; this is a larger project than we have taken on before it is under attentive consideration.
While at this school we received a petition to visit a newly built secondary school located just down the road. It seems that the Peruvian Government provides substantial buildings but not much else. The school building itself was large enough with classrooms to house at least 100 students. However, there were 30 students, one teacher, but not a book in either of the two classrooms currently being used. The tables and chairs provided were for first grade children. If it had not been so appalling, it would have seemed rather comical. With our limited funds we will try to assist this school by providing books, maps, and a few other essentials for a classroom.
Very early the next morning, we left for Pampacorral, a remote village located at 13,000 feet. To get there one must travel three hours up a dirt road that climbs over a 15,000 foot pass. Both the drive and the scenery are breathtaking. The children knew we were coming; they dressed in their festival clothing and were ready with their songs and dances. We were impressed to see a large garden growing down by the river. Each class has a plot where they cultivate different vegetables. Since their diet consists mainly of potatoes, this is a great asset. After helping with the art project we brought, it was time to head down the mountain. Due to rain and the road being washed out, instead of the normal three hours back to the hotel, it took ten always an adventure. It is well worth the time and energy spent to experience the excitement and happiness of these beautiful children and their dedicated teachers.
August 2009...
September 2009: Hola Amigas and Amigos,
Many of you have expressed an interest in our follow-up trip to Peru last August. Two great young women, Brinn Cannon and Jessica Duke, who were interested in volunteering in a foreign environment, accompanied me. They were a tremendous help, both in the classroom and on the playground. We went with the express purpose of teaching in two schools in order to understand their future needs as well as to access how they have been using the materials that we took last April. We learned much. On the surface the schools are very similar, but as we became immersed within the work, it was evident that their needs and interests varied.
The children and teachers at Pampacorral School, which is located at 13,500 feet and reached by a long 3 hour drive over a winding dirt road, loved the art materials and hands on learning projects. Because this school is so isolated, these are considered a luxury and out of the ordinary. The 5th grade teacher/director was very proud to show me the small library, which was built to house the books we took to them last April. The kids also loved the jump ropes and soccer balls we took; either didnt bother the resident chickens and cows on the playground.
The students at Ocutuan School, which is located an hour from Cusco, also loved the art and hands on materials. However, they are more eager to learn English and other skills, which might eventually serve as a segway into the tourist business. Because they are not nearly as isolated as Pampacorral, but equally as poor, their parents seem eager for them to pursue careers other than farming. I noticed that there appeared to be fewer students than in April. When I asked about this, the director told me that since we had begun endowing the school with added teaching materials two years ago, parents from other villages began bringing their children to the school. When this was noticed in the respective village, pressure was brought on the parents to bring their children back to the village school in which they live. The PTA President came to tearfully thank us for helping the students.
Future needs: Both schools need financial assistance with school uniforms. All children in Peru are supposed to wear some type of uniform, but only some of the families in these rural schools can afford them. Due to the high altitude and year round cold weather, both schools would opt for a type of matching sweat suit for both boys and girls. Items needed annually are paper, crayons, pens, books, ink for the photocopiers we bought, teaching aids, playground equipment and art supplies.
To see pictures of this trip, click on the August 2009 tab at the top of the page. Again, I express my deep gratitude for your help with these schools. Their needs and their desire to learn are great. Onward.
Muchas Gracias, Debbie
April 2010...
In April of 2010 a group of six friends took a total of 380 pounds of supplies, plus their personal suitcases, to Peru. By some miracle, we paid no overweight fees. Much of the supplies were donated by Taylor Dolbin, who used the Andes Education Fund as his Eagle Project. The donated and purchased supplies consisted of basic classroom materials for grades one though six, storybooks (which are rare), two much needed projectors, elementary musical instruments, book bags, tennis balls (a rarity in that part of the country), and helps for math. Upon arriving in Cusco, we also bought soccer balls, paper, and notebooks. To say that these supplies were well received is an understatement.
Please notice their uniforms. These are a result of your donations. The kids are so proud; they will wear them everyday for two years
in other words, they will literally wear them out. They are warm against the mountain air and give them a sense of school pride.
The 1st graders at Brookwood Elementary School made 40 beautiful ABC books to send to the children of their same age. In the website photos, you will see the children pouring over each page, especially intriguing to them was the initial picture of the students from Brookwood.
While at the schools we handed out art supplies and helped the students work on projects. The concept of art is a luxury; their enthusiasm was infectious, their smiles gratifying. This proved to be a fun interaction for both volunteers and students.
I will be returning in October to take a few more supplies and to get an idea of their most pressing needs for the next school year, which begins next March.
My thanks to those who have provided so generously for these children and to those who give so much of their time to make this project possible.
Muchisimos Gracias, Debbie
April 2009...
Dear Friends,
It has been a month since Carole, Lynda, Elaine, Sue and I have been home from our trip to Peru. Because it was so rewarding and because we kept thinking of our friends, who so generously donated to the cause, we thought that you might enjoy seeing a few pictures. We cannot tell you how appreciative the students and teachers are; you helped change and enrich many lives.
From Utah, we took vitamins, maps, storybooks, Frisbees and teacher aids. In Peru we bought two photocopiers, ink, paper, pencils, pens, soccer balls and volleyballs (now they have something else to chase besides chickens). The students in all three schools, along with the teachers and parents, were so excited about our arrival. They had prepared programs with singing and dances, and of course, boiled potatoes for treats.
Two of the schools are in high remote Andean villages, while the other is a 3 day round trip to the jungle. Regardless of the location, you will see the beauty and joy in the faces.
Mucho Amor y Muchas Gracias.