JANUARY 2008 NEWSLETTER
Letter from the President
 What a way to finish the Peru's Challenge year.
Yet again, we finish off a fantastic and very productive month.
Summer school has run smoothly with more than 90 kids attending.
Our volunteers have all worked very hard to ensure that the school is looking great and will function well for the start of the new school year in March.
We now have a new curriculum for volunteers to use when taking classes in English, art, sport, music and drama. This will make it a lot easier for volunteers with no teaching experience to make a productive class.
2008 should be our last year at the Pumamarca School as it will be time to let it function on its own and see if it has become self-sufficient without help from Peru's Challenge.
There is still plenty to do within the community and also lots of other rural schools that need the Peru's Challenge lift.
Peru's Challenge is now on holidays during the month of February so all staff can relax and get ready for a big year.
Stay tuned for our February 2008 newsletter which will provide an annual overview of all we have accomplished together over the 12 months.
Jane Gavel
jane@peruschallenge.com
The Inca gods are happy with us
The month of January started off with a visit from a group of 23 students, three teachers and three parent/doctors from St. George's School in Vancouver, Canada.
 The boys came to Pumamarca with the goal of building additional classrooms for the kindergarten kids. They left not disappointed. All worked extremely hard, and did not let the altitude affect them.
To the group's credit, they finished the construction of the adobe brick walls, the roof and enclosed the building with a brightly coloured fence. Some of the boys even had energy to run an improptu haircutting salon. Enrique was pretty impressed with his haircut!
Selvy and I had planned for the project to reach a certain stage and were then going to organise for the fathers to all pitch in to make sure the work was finished so the boys would not go home disappointed.
The boys far exceeded our expectations. We had also thought that construction would be delayed due to rain but hardly a drop was felt - The Inca gods were certainly happy with the boys' work!
Now I thought girls are meant to be the best shoppers but the St. George's boys - or should I say the St. Hor-Hay's boys shopped up a storm when the Pumamarca mums decided to run an exhibition of their products. Lots of sales were made, with a record US$1,000 worth of products sold. The mothers were so proud of themselves as were the boys!
 I also took all of the boys, in small groups, on house visit within the Pumamarca community with our social worker. This was really important as it showed the boys the reality and poverty in which the Pumamarca community lives.
They were all extremely mature and thoughtful during each house visit. It also put in to perspective how important their efforts with fundraising and construction had been.
The in-kind donations organised by the group back in Canada were incredible. They brought everything from class materials, sports clothes, a pile of medicines and equipment and even brand new building supplies.
The Pumamarca fathers never usually receive gifts from volunteers. To see them wide-eyed and mouths opened when receiving all of the construction tools was just like watching kids opening presents at Christmas time.
Thanks very much Neil and all the St. George's boys for a great project. We look forward to discussing on-going ideas and plans for the additional funds raised.
Doctor visits in Pumamarca, Miskiuno and Quillahuata
Within the St. George's group visit, Peru's Challenge also received to an unexpected level of medical assistance from three of the parents who were also doctors.
More than 100 local adults and kids were seen by the doctors from three communities over two days.
We also ran a free pap-smear campaign for 49 local women, with the following results:
- 9 from 49 did not need any form of treatment: 18%
- 40 from 49 treated on the day of the pap smear: 82%
- 19 from 49 needed additional treatment or examinations: 39%
- 7 from 49 with serious infections or disease: 14%
Appointments were made with a local
gynaecologist
in Cuzco at a discounted rate for the 19 needing additional treatments or examinations. Husbands of all 19 women also attended to be treated for infections.
The 19 needing additional treatment / examinations were all very worried and scared. But it is a good thing as we now have their husbands involved and being tested and also they are all starting to realise how important their health is and regular checks.
Within the mothers group, we had a chat together to talk about how their funds should be used from now on. It was decided that instead of buying Christmas hampers and the trip to Machu Picchu, the first priorities should be to use the funds for medical/dental/eye examinations and treatment and then food/training to build up nutrition levels.
This is exactly what we want them to do so that when Peru's Challenge is no longer working within the community they are still able to work on improving their health and nutrition levels.
Thanks very much to Mary, Mike and Karen for helping with this medical campaign.
Lots of noise in music class
 During our first week at Pumamarca, the children were introduced to un-tuned percussion instruments. They were so excited and all wanted to try each instrument.
The volunteers all took various classes where "Hokey Pokey" was the song to be taught. We all had great fun learning the words and actions to this song.
The children were able to perform the "Hokey Pokey" on our last day at the school.
A huge congratulations to everyone.
Written by Rosemary from Australia.
 Sport with the kids
At Pumamarca we loved to play sport with the kids. The boys enjoyed playing soccer but the girls preferred volleyball. I think the boys were too competitive when the girls played.
On other occasions we played relays and ball games. The kids learned the rules really easily. We played “Under and Over”, “Tunnel Ball” and running relays.
Endless energy was needed in our sport lessons!
Written by Tim from Australia.
All kids to wear hats when outside
The Pumamarca School is situated at nearly 4000 m.a.s.l. At this altitude, the sun is very strong and damages the skin easily.
From the start of the school year in March, all kids at the Pumamarca School will wear a wide-brimmed hat when playing outside. No hat. No play.
Thanks to the generous donations from Teen, Julie and Adam, Meryl and Derek and Ricardo and Ines, we now have more than 160 hats, ensuring that each Pumamarca student will have their own hat.
We are also teaching the parents about the importance of wearing a hat when working in the fields. When the doctors were visiting, we had one mother very worried about her skin and thought it may be falling off! She explained to the doctor that when she is working outside without a hat on, the skin on her face feels like it has hot chillis on it. The doctor quickly explained that this is sun burn.
Skills workshops for adults and teenagers
Talleres is a class that runs twice a week for the adults of the community of Pumamarca. Talleres has grown in popularity over the past year with approx 50 members in 2007 mostly women and in 2008 approx 160 members both men and women.
This increase in numbers has meant a number of changes for this group. A specific building has been constructed to house the crafty members, their supplies and wares; it should be complete in early 2008.
The first time I went to Talleres, assistance was needed with the sewing machine. As in the past I have enjoyed sewing at home I put my hand up to help. The members, both ladies and a man, in the group I was helping hardly needed me. They were making simple bags to be used by the school children and confidently went about cutting them out, without a pattern!
When it came time to using the sewing machine there was some reluctance but once everyone had a turn sewing on a scrap of material there was no stopping them and all I could really do was stand by and watch.
Occasionally I would be called on to help change the settings to zigzag stitch or help rethread the needle. Some women preferred to hand stitch so they sat happily chatting and sewing much like any sewing group I had been a part of back home!
The next week when I returned to Talleres there had been some changes to the design, and rather than the 'simple bags' commenced the week before new bags were being made. These new innovative designs were far more complex with a gusset added for extra room for more books! Again without a pattern, sample or even picture to go by every member of the group began their own bag. The new design includes a flap which covers the contents of the bag and a button to seal it.
I was amazed at not only the design ideas of these creative members but also at the enthusiasm in which they used the sewing machine! The children of Pumamarca School are going to all look fabulous this school year with their books being carried in these very colourful, fabulous bags!
Written by Cate from Australia.
Nutrition classes for Pumamarca parents
Nutrition was a project taken on by myself and Jane, following a doctor’s survey of the eating habits of the local community. I conducted a seminar for the mothers of Pumamarca to educate them about which foods should be eaten, in what quantities and the rationale behind this. I also worked through some suggestions for appropriate meal plans, which combined the required food groups in the correct quantities.
The seminar was extremely well received by the mothers, although they were very surprised that they needed to drink eight glasses of water a day and that eating too many potatoes (their base food) is not good.
It was great to see them take an interest in the information I was giving and it was helpful to associate the importance of eating healthily to their ability to work more efficiently:
Healthy body = able to work harder/more effectively = more money = better life
There were two main challenges with our project. The community is very poor and so it is difficult for them to buy sufficient meat (protein) and to retain part of their more lucrative crops for self-consumption. All that they grow is taken straight to market and therefore the family is not getting the benefit of these. This is an area that is an ongoing education project for Jane and Peru’s Challenge.
The other challenge was in changing a life-time of habits and convincing the mothers that even though eating better may cost more, it will reduce illness and increase their work productivity.
Successes with the project included the attendance of so many mothers to the seminar and the reception they gave me when giving the information. Further successes will be measured over the next six months by monitoring the meals prepared and general health of the community.
Written by Katharine from Australia.
Project for Life - attention past volunteers
Project for Life is a sponsor a child program. It gives an opportunity to past volunteers who wish to provide ongoing financial support for individuals within the Pumamarca community or another community supported by Peru’s Challenge.
At this point the program is in its infancy. It is a valuable and personal way to maintain contact with the people you met and worked with during your Peru’s Challenge time.
If interested please keep an eye out for more details in our next newsletter or send an email to sponsorship@peruschallenge.com.
Written by Alison from Australia.
The fence is finished!
 The major construction project undertaken this month by the volunteers was building a fence around the vegetable garden.
Given the exuberance of the children when playing soccer on the field next to the garden, this is a fairly important task!
Quite a few of the volunteers pitched in over the month (developing blisters and catching plenty of splinters), including Tim, Celia, Alison and Katharine, building on some strong poles put in place by Bill.
The boys at the school have been entertaining themselves with the drill, saw and hammer, even making flutes! They have really gotten the hang of these tools over the past weeks and have even been able to help, rather than hinder, the construction.
 The new washing sinks have been completed as well, so even more children can continue to clean up every day at the school.
In addition, Katharine and most of the crew spent a lot of time levelling the ground near the new talleres building and the school rooms and spreading gravel everywhere.
Hopefully mud will now stay outside the classrooms in future!
Written by David from Australia.
And it doesn't end there...
With the support from Gulf for Good, Peru's Challenge has been working hard on a number of projects within the Pumamarca and Huandar communities.
To date, we have finished a water reservoir in the Huandar community. Previously the community had no access to safe drinking water. Now with the new reservoir, water will now be tapped into each house and also the school.
In Pumamarca, Gulf for Good have also supported the construction of taps and sinks which provide safe drinking water, two hot showers so the kids can clean themselves at least once a week, the workshop for the adults and additional classrooms.
Workshop for adults almost complete
 The new building for the Talleres is nearly finished! The floors have been laid and the walls are ready to render and paint.
This will be a welcome addition to the Talleres craft group who were previously working in the year 5/6 room to complete their craft projects.
As the group is now swelling to over 160 and now includes men as well as the local women, there was a need for new premises to store their materials and to work.
 I was very pleased to present to the group, a selection of new furniture to outfit their workroom and also some materials for the women to make school bags for each of the 140 school students.
This donation was made possible through the tireless efforts of the year 5R class and the staff at Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School, Ashmore on the Gold Coast in Australia.
It was wonderful to see the community benefit from our hard work and also to witness the happiness it bought our friends in Peru.
Written by Natalie.
A day in the life of a volunteer at Pumamarca
(Please note that all times are “Peruvian” time)
10am: Arrive in Pumamarca after a bumpy 40 minute ride over dirt roads up into the mountains, avoiding sheep, bulls, dogs and donkeys also using the road. Once arriving at the school, the children come to greet us with hugs and “Amiga!” They then start asking if it’s time for arte (art).
 10:10: The volunteers start on their projects for the day. This might be painting a wall to brighten the school buildings, building and planting a vegetable garden for the children to learn to tend, or shovelling rocks into the space under the tree to stop all the soil from eroding away during the wet season. So much to do and so little time!
10:30: Volunteers also go into the classes to help teach the children art, music and English. This is a great way to get to know the children and also to learn some more Spanish!
11:00: This is recess time, loved by all! The volunteers help the students to wash their hands and face and then make sure they apply moisturizer to their very dry skin to protect them a bit from the cold and wind.
 After doing these jobs, the children receive a piece of fruit to eat. Then it’s time to get in and play with the children, either soccer on the field or just sitting with them on the see-saws and benches.
11:15: Volunteers then go back into the classroom for another round of lessons or continue with their construction projects for the day.
1:30: We say goodbye to the students for another day and pile back into the minibus to make our way down the mountain and back into Cuzco. Any trip is always accompanied by joyful waves from students heading home or from the local parents shouting out hello to Selvy and the volunteers.
Afternoons can then be spent either attending Spanish lessons with our fabulous teachers, heading back up to Pumamarca to work with the Talleres group, visiting local homes with the Peru's Challenge social worker. Overall, the days are busy and filled with activity. Who wouldn’t want to give it a go?!
Written by Natalie and Theresa from Australia.
Excursions not to be missed!
Cuzco City Tour
 One of the tours volunteers experienced was a horse riding and sacred site tour around Cuzco.
We drove in a comfortable small coach to Tambomachay, a place of worship to the resource of water.
We then saddled up for a horse ride up hills and down rocky crops. Some say just like “The Man from Snowy River”!
After a delicious lunch, we visited other sites, the most impressive being Saqsayhuaman (Sexy woman!).
This structure was only part of the original and some stones are more than 5m high and weigh more than 350 tonnes.
A thoroughly enjoyable day.
Written by Rosemary from Australia.
Mountain Climbers
We intrepid explorers climbed the 4200m mountain peak at the back of the volunteer top house - Picol Mountain.
Great training for those intending to hike the Inca Trail.
Congratulations David, Tim, Katharine and Alison for making it to the top!
Written by Tim from Australia.
Sacred Valley
 A must do for any volunteer is a 2 day Sacred Valley tour. On our first day we visited Chincero with its colonial church built over Incan walls. As we walked the terraces, we found small shards of Incan pottery.
Next we visited the town of Urubamba and walked up to the Inca ruin at Ollantaytambo. At the very top was the impressive Temple of the Sun. We cast our eyes over the valley and surrounding mountains … And found the very impressive face of the Incan in profile at the edge of the opposite mountain.
We visited a local Incan bar had lots of fun sampling the local chicha (homemade Incan beer) and playing Sapo, a traditional game.
 The following day we set out for a fantastic exploration of the ruins above Pisaq.
For the next few hours we roamed the ruins, cast our eyes over the Inca terraces and the Sacred Valley below and made our way down the mountain to the markets below.
If you love to shop and bargain then this is the place for you.
Written by Theresa from Australia.
Machu Picchu
This wonder of the ancient world had always held a certain mystique for me and it was a dream to actually be able to visit this amazing place. There are two options available to volunteers, the Inca Trail which is a four day trek, or the four hour train trip which takes you to Aquas Calientes only 25mins from the historic site.
 My option was the more civilized train trip, leaving Cuzco and snaking its way up the mountains and across plains and fields to the little tourist town of Aquas Calientes.
The sound of the trains coming in and going out of the town centre is a constant background noise, as is the roar of the rapids in the Urubamba River which flows right by the town.
This is a town to visit only while on your way up to Machu Picchu so that you can get there before the day trippers arrive on the train. It is also a place to rest after the trek and to buy a T-shirt letting everyone know that you survived the intrepid trail.
The bus trip up to the old mountain is awe-inspiring as you see the mystical cloud forests and experience the walls of rock towering above you. When you arrive at the gate to the monument, you cannot even begin to understand how Hiram Bingham must have felt as he saw the ruins peaking out from the jungle in 1911.
 This magnificent area is beautifully cared for with llamas roaming the grounds and tourists picking their way through an ancient civilization.
We arrived early, about 8:30am, and were able to see the clouds as they moved through the ruins, covering and uncovering the mountains of Huayna Picchu in the background.
It is quiet except for the occasional birdsong and the sound of feet walking by in a hush as each person takes in the magnificence of this ancient civilization.
This tour is a definite must here in Peru, whether you choose the trek or the train. It truly brings together the beauty of the Andes and its people and the incredible history of the Incas.
Written by Natalie from Australia.
Aims for the future: Peru’s Challenge in 2008
One of the projects for this year is to procure some regular sponsorship to enable Peru’s Challenge to continue to do the amazing work they are involved in.
This will involve putting our name out there and asking people to donate what they can to a community that will benefit directly from the money given.
If you have a business or are an individual who is interested in helping out, then we need to hear from you.
 In Cuzco, so little can obtain so much in a community which is only just now getting on its feet with the help of Jane, Selvy and all the volunteers who come here to make a difference.
By donating US$100 you can provide the 170 children with fruit, every day, for months.
What can you do to help a school that has only now got their first septic system and flushing toilets? Or help a family that can only afford to eat one meal a day? Or a child who wears sandals to school in the freezing weather?
We need to ensure that support and sponsorship of this program is sustainable and reliable. Can you help?
Contact Jane - jane@peruschallenge.com to see how you or your business can help and make a difference in someone’s life today.
Written by Natalie from Australia.
Meet the Volunteers - this could be you!
Name: Sam
Country: Australia
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
How did you hear about Peru’s Challenge? At a function in Australia.
Why did you come to Peru’s Challenge?
To practice teaching English and to become familiar with Peru.
What are you goals?
To improve my Spanish. To help improve the community.
Comments:
This was an experience I will never forget and I really want to return to continue working with amazing kids and people.
 Name: Cate
Country: Australia
Occupation: Primary Teacher
Age: 30
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? On the Getaway travel program in Australia.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge? To immerse myself in the culture of Peru, more than is possible on a normal holiday. Peru's Challenge gives me the chance to not only travel but to help out!
What are your goals? To be of assistance by assistance by participating in all activities and to have fun!
Comments: This has been a really positive experience for me. The people I have met both volunteers and locals are an inspiration for me to do more.
Name: Natalie
Country: Australia
Occupation: Primary Teacher
Age: 33
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? On the Getaway travel program in Australia.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
I wanted to do some volunteer work, to make a difference, and it was in a country that I had always wanted to visit. I wanted to give something to people who were not as fortunate as me while being able to be immersed in an amazing culture.
What are your goals?
Experience how life in Peru is. To help people who need it and now that I've made a difference. To work on my Spanish in a real context.
Comments:
What an amazing concept! It works beautifully and creates wonderful memories. Helps us to be travellers and not tourists.
Name: Barbara
Country: Australia
Occupation: Learning and Develpment Trainer
Age: 33
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? I saw Peru's Challenge on the TV Programme Getaway. I was really impressed with the work they do in the community and the opportunities they offer volunteers.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
I decided that this was an opportunity for me to help with a cause I really believe in (education) and I knew this would be a life changing experience. Peru's Challenge is allowing me to see Peru in a way I would never have been able to without their help.
What are your goals?
I hope that by the time I leave I've made a difference! I would like to think that I will leave here having learnt a lot from the people of Peru.
Comments:
This is such a great cause and its amazing to see how well and how quickly we have all worked together. If you're thinking about it... do it!
Name: Alison
Country: Australia
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 33
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge?
Through a friend (Cate) who saw the Getaway programme.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
 To participate in the program and to have a different travel experience while contributing to a community that needs support. To be exposed to a new culture in an intimate, challenging and unique setting.
Name: Katharine
Country: Australia
Occupation: Finance
Age: 33
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? Through the Ascham School (Sydney).
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge? For the opportunity to give something back to the world, live simply and learn from a different culture.
What are your goals? Contribute to the community as much as possible. Slow down my current pace of life. Meet great friends.
Name: Rosemary
Country: Australia
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 62
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge?
Getaway Travel Show
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
An interesting and productive way to visit Machu Picchu.
What are your goals?
To give time and energy to some kids who need it. To survive the experience without seeing Doctor Victor!
 Comments:
Certainly an experience to make you appreciate what you have at home.
Name: Tim
Country: Australia
Occupation: Student and Part time kitchen hand
Age: 14
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? From Granny (Rosemary)
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
To have a holiday and travel. To help little kids.
What are your goals?
Learn Spanish and teach kids to play cricket.
Comments:
Everything's so cheap!
Name: Theresa
Country: Australia
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 38
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge?
Getaway travel program.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
To experience a different culture. To give back to a community rather than just experiencing the tourist aspect of the place. To make a difference.
What are your goals? To connect with the children of the community. To see a difference in the community we are working in. To see culturally important sites in and around Cuzco.
Comments:
It has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know a community, living within its social structure while living with positive and motivated volunteers. It is most frustrating seeing what needs to be done and not having the time to do it. Although the changes to the community are most noticeable.
Name: David
Country: Australia
Occupation: Director - Mergers and Acquisitions
Age: 39
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? Word of mouth.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge? Heard great things about with Peru's Challenge is doing. I wanted to do mostly construction and work with my hands but also to meet the people and particularly the kids. Education is key to improving people and Peru over the longer term and Peru's Challenge is closely involved in this area.
What are your goals? To help as much as I can. Definitely to finish the fence! However, also want to experience something completely different from my every day job to see how I really feel about banking.
Comments: Love it!!
 Name: Clara
Country: Canada
Occupation: Social Worker/Horticulturist
Age: 63
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge?
Write up in the local paper in Vancouver.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
To gain different experiences. Improve Spanish.
What are your goals?
Continue on my process of life.
Comments:
Great experience.
Name: Ines
Country: Australia
Occupation: Student
Age: 8
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge?
My mum found it on the internet.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
Because my mum and dad said so.
What are your goals?
To be a teacher.
 Name: Ricardo
Country: Australia
Occupation: Architect
Age: 48
How did you hear about Peru's Challenge? By chance on the internet.
Why did you come to Peru's Challenge?
To give my daughter (Ines) a different perspective in life and hopefully a sense of charity and a want to help others.
What are your goals?
To help with the building program though architectural input.
Comments:
Great! I wish I could have spent more time in the school. I don't feel that I helped enough but hope to do so in the future.
Thanks to our volunteers leaving in January
 Thanks to Lyn and Bill for volunteering with us for three months. A great deal was achieved especially with construction, the fence, shovelling gravel and making the school functional.
Natalie, thanks for volunteering with us for a month. Your help in the classrooms was fantastic. Thanks also very much for putting this newsletter together. It is one of our best yet.
Thanks very much Theresa for spending four weeks with us and assisting in the classrooms. Thank you also for the curriculum ideas for 2008. Now we are ready to help our volunteers to run productive classes. I spoke with the Director today about it and he is very pleased.
Thanks Alison for all of your help both with classes and also with construction. Thanks also for your help and advice with the Project for Life program.
Cate, thanks very much for all of your help with construction, classes and also the work you did with the mothers.
Celia, thanks for all of your help and advice with our marketing plans. Also for your help in the classrooms.
Barb, thanks for getting through the month! Thanks also for your help up at the school particularly with making sure the hygiene program continued and the kids received their fruit.
Thanks very much Katharine for spending four weeks with us. I really appreciate your help with construction and also the level of planning you put into the nutrition talk.
David, thanks for all the energy you gave to the school and for all the long days you put in. The fence is looking great and Bill would be very happy with your work. Thanks also for the donation of laptops and funds to finish the fence.
Sam, thanks for coming to help out for four weeks. Your Spanish was a real asset to the team and your English classes were great.
Clare, thanks for volunteering with us for four weeks and all of your work within the vege garden. Thanks also for your plans and ideas with Project for Life and the little "private house" for the kids.
Thanks Ines and Ricardo for spending a couple of weeks with us. It was short but still very productive. Ines, let us know how your film presentation goes and Ricardo we will be in touch about construction plans for the school. Thanks also for donating some clothes to the kids.
Thanks Rosemary and Tim for volunteering for four weeks. Rosie, you made it without having to visit Dr Victor! Thanks for all of your work with the music and English classes. Thanks Tim for all of your help with the music, English and sports classes.
John and Tricia, thanks very much for coming back a year later to visit us and see how much we have accomplished. I wish you could have stayed longer, as do you both but your help with construction on the talleres building and in the vege garden was appreciated.
To read previous newsletters - click here.
|
