NOVEMBER 2007
NEWSLETTER
Letter from the President
 Focus on the community
This month, Peru's Challenge worked with 12 volunteers, most staying for four weeks.
With the end of the school year coming, we decided to focus most of our efforts within the community.
Our "House Challenge" program, where visit a local family and then work for the next month on renovating the house and providing basic items was a great success this month.
Now that our volunteer travel program is very popular - more than 70% of our placements are booked for 2008, the Peru's Challenge team is starting to focus on detailed Marketing and Sponsorship strategies.
For those of you who are interested in providing ideas or assistance with continually promoting our volunteer program, the Peru's Challenge brand and bringing in outside funding, please send me an email - jane@peruschallenge.com
Jane Gavel
 Helping Grade 1 & 2 kids
With only two months to go until the end of the school year, the Grade 1 and 2 teachers came to us for help.
Ten of their students, six in first grade and four in second, needed some extra tutoring in reading and writing to ensure they passed to the next grade in 2008.
With more than 25 in each Grade, the teachers find it hard to focus on and give the necessary reinforcement to the kids that are a little behind.
Four of our volunteers opted to assist the teachers with specific exercises in reading, writing and comprehension when they could to work in small groups.
This assistance along with the additional work done by their teachers has ensured that all ten will pass on to the next grade.
All kids in other Grades are all passing on the next year which is a great result for the Pumamarca teachers.
Learning how to turn on a computer
Our wonderful volunteer Peter, also called Pedro, has brought along a laptop as a donation to the school. His company Guide has provided the computer and Pedro will be running computer classes over the next two to three months for students.
Pedro has been so impressed with the Grade 5&6's. They pick up everything after only being told once and are so enthralled with his classes. They don't even want to go out and play during recess but would rather learn more from Pedro.
Pedro only takes two students at a time and he must finish the lesson at the same spot each time. If not, the other kids will not leave until he gets to the same spot as they all want to reach the same level.
Pedro has even suggested to his boss that he starts up an office for his company here in Peru for the Pumamarca kids to work at as the listen and learn so quickly!
November House Challenge
The Peru’s Challenge social worker and staff had identified a family in critical need of assistance. A 21 year old single mother of two young children – 3 year old and a 1 year old, whom was very motivated and devoted to her young family, however was unable to receive any assistance from her family – a brother in Lima.
 The children were sick when we arrived on our first home visit. The mother had walked all the way to town to get some medicine (she somehow was able to get this at no charge).
All three were sleeping and living in unhygienic conditions and she was unable to supply food, unable to buy seeds to sow for the upcoming season, but did have a house inherited from her parents.
From donated funds raised prior to arrival, the volunteer team decided they were able to purchase some basics to donate to this little family and were keen to do a “house challenge” with her on the next Wednesday’s home visit afternoon to assist her to have better living conditions.
Prepared for their arrival, the senorita organised the house by removing as much rubbish as possible. Two beds arrived with bedding, buckets for laundry and washing, kitchen items, soaps, some food, and willing volunteers. Making steps up to her house, spring cleaning the kitchen and bedroom and preparing the garden and washing line area as well as repairing the roof.
 Joy and tears were shared by all. And just to help out a little, a couple of toys for presents for the kids were given to help with some sensory input at home.
Her son loved his truck with the building blocks so much he became such an interactive little chatterbox and a delight.
He gained some little friends who wanted to play with his toys too – so very opposite from the week before. Although he was very disappointed when his mum wouldn’t let him take his truck to the field!
What a joy to be able to give just a leg up of help and hope to this family. Still to come are some chooks to provide eggs and seeds. By the next day, she was able to wash the children in one of the tubs she now had.
Of concern to some was to increase her integration into the community. But there was not need to worry… the other mothers instigated this themselves.
 For the first time in Talleres (the adult workshop group) history in the community, the other mothers pitched in of their own accord and each brought donations of food for the senorita.
As well as this, she has been asked by other young mothers to help sell flowers at the market in Cuzco with them.
From her “...I didn’t think anyone noticed [how I was struggling]”.
We need not just the basics in life – physical health, food, a roof over our heads, but the need for social and psychological health that comes from a community, friends and hope.
The Peru's Challenge social worker ensures a critical assessment of the families in need, a continued assurance of their ongoing motivation and involvement in community and self help, such as attending ‘Talleres’ afternoons.
She also continues to provide social work intervention and education on an ongoing basis. She is tuff and the senorita states she is scared of her (must be doing a great job) as she asks one of the staff and volunteers to help to pay an electricity bill before it is cut off the next week – well she has to speak with our social worker first as money is never given directly, but she will be helped.
Lastly an update…to provide a chance for her to continue to purchase food, health needs, clothing and seeds without the need to rely on her family for what little money they can spare, a previous volunteer is now sponsoring this family.
Written by Rachel from Australia.
Putting things into perspective
My first house visit started with me in a bad mood as I'd just realised I'd lost my favourite jumper that was going to keep me warm on the Inca Trail later in the month.
 Wilfredo picked us and the Peru's Challenge social worker up from our house and we took the bumpy 20 minute drive up to Pumamarca.
Our first stop was with a family whose house was in the process of being rebuilt. The 17 year old "mother" of the house explained the difficulties of looking after four other children of 5 - 15 years of age whilst helping her alcoholic parents into bed each night.
I helped carry a few 20kg mud bricks to the work site with other men of the community that were helping build their house. A cup of chicha (home-brewed beer, known as Peruvian Red Bull) was handed to me which was promptly removed from my thirsty hands by our social worker - apparently I would have been the one being helped to bed if I had had any.
The other volunteers took note of the kids shoe sizes and gave our covered shoes to help them in their daily three-hour walk to high school in Cusco.
 Back on the rapido (the bus) and further into the community we passed a number of new dirt roads that had just been bulldozed down to the fields. Turns out that I'd helped rebuild a house that had been torn down to make way for one of these roads.
Into another small mud brick house and we are careful not to step on any of the guinea pigs that play on the kitchen floor. They are worth S/.15 each (US$5) - a mountain of gold in Pumamarca.
The Peru's Challenge social worker speaks to the mother of this house who seems quite upset about something. She takes us into her backyard and shows us two tree stumps that are acting as markers. "Markers for what?" we ask and it is explained to us solemnly that tomorrow this single mum and her three kids' house is being demolished for another road.
We don´t really understand the reason why but the community has decided.
A few tears are shed by everyone and suddenly losing my jumper is put into prospective, at least it's not my house...
Written by Tim from Australia.
New roads and irrigations pipes for Pumamarca
After Tim and the volunteers came back from the house visit, they told us of the community's plan to knock down one of the local family's house to make way for a road.
 There are always two sides to any story so Selvy went and spoke with both the upset mother and the community about the problem.
What came out, with everyone talking together, is that the plans to bulldoze new roads had been made and agreed upon by all community members months ago.
Members of the community whose houses were in the path of the roads would be built new houses by the community.
The new roads were being bulldozed to make access to their fields easier for trucks to reach so that more produce could be transferred down to the Cuzco markets.
 The mother who was so upset was also benefiting from the new roads and had agreed to the plans a long time ago.
But everything came around so quickly and when it came time for the bulldozers to do their work, she did not want to leave her house.
Since then, she and her family are now in a new house and are happy where they are.
Peru's Challenge has also purchased new irrigation pipes for the community fields to ensure better produce especially as each year the water coming into the community is less and less due to global warming.
The community relies on their agricultural produce both to sell in the markets for income and to provide food on the table.
Peru's Challenge is working on new small-business ideas within the community to increase production and sales of agricultural products. This will ensure the community is self-sustaining by the time Peru's Challenge moves to another community.
Online store for Talleres workshop group
Thanks to the work of Pedro, our computer whiz from the IT company GUIDE and Helen, a volunteer from Hands Up Holidays, the Pumamarca Talleres Group are going to be able to sell their hand-made products online.
The Talleres group is developing well and their products are improving ever week.
 Through the tour group visits form Peregrine Adventures, the mothers are selling on average US$600 per month. They now want to rent a space in Cuzco and sell direct to the tourists.
We have not encouraged this idea and have explained to them that the market is very competitive in Cuzco with more than 100 shops selling to the tourists. Rent is also very expensive and we don't believe the group is ready to run a business in Cuzco nor have the ability to produce the necessary stock.
Instead, we are developing an online shop for volunteers, their friends and family and work places to purchase product. If the group can keep up with the demand, we will then open up the website to the worldwide market and start promoting it.
This will be a great test for the Talleres group and hopefully will assist them in becoming a self-sufficient business without the assistance of Peru's Challenge.
We realise that Peregrine Adventures groups may not continue to visit the Pumamarca community in the future so they must start working on strategies to sell their products by other means.
www.pumamarca.org should be live by January 2008. We will keep you updated.
Project for Life
For the last couple of months, Peru's Challenge has been working with previous volunteers to test our newly created 'Project for Life' program.
'Project for Life' allows previous volunteers and their friends and family who have developed a connection with a certain child within the Pumamarca community to sponsor their life development, focusing on medical attention, food, household needs and education.
Our social worker provides the sponsor a family file document that explains the family history, current economic situation, the urgent specific needs of the child and family, the child's dreams and wishes for the future and an overview of how they can be achieved.
There are three levels of financial support that can be given of which 100% goes directly towards the child's development.
This month, we focus on Baby Elizabeth and her sponsor amiga from Australia, Pauline.
Baby Elizabeth has nine aunts and uncles, all of which are under the age of 19. Her mother is the eldest of the 10 brothers and sisters who all work in the fields to help their mother raise enough money to feed the entire family of 13.
Their father is often away trying to find work on any construction project in Cuzco. When he is picked to work on a site, he will earn S/.20 (US$6) for 11 hours of work. He brings this money home which only feeds his children for one day.
 Baby Elizabeth's father left her mother when she fell pregnant and does not offer any financial support to care for Elizabeth.
The story goes on, but thanks to the generous support of Pauline, Baby Elizabeth is receiving clothes, medicine, food packages for the entire family.
Thanks Pauline for your support. Baby Elizabeth loved her new clothes and toys. Her mother Marie Elena was overwhelmed and the tears flowed.
If you are interested in knowing more about our new 'Project for Life' sponsorship program, please send an email to sponsorship@peruschallenge.com
Antipodeans Abroad students working with Peru's Challenge
Over the last year, Peru's Challenge has been working with 50 students from Antipodeans Abroad in Australia. Each stayed for three months in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to teach English, Art and Sport while also completing construction projects within their designated school.
 They have been working at three different schools in the valley chosen by the Peru's Challenge social worker. The kids attending these schools are living in extreme poverty conditions and have no major education assistance.
The students have all done a fantastic job with their lessons and construction projects.
The projects consisted of a perimeter fence around the school, renovating exsisting toilets and constructing new flushing toilets, a vegetable garden and a new sports and playing area.
The Directors or each school are so proud and grateful for the work that the students have completed and look forward to working with Peru's Challenge and the next groups of Antipodeans Abroad volunteers to join us in 2008.
Falling in love with the jungle
My trip to the jungle was an outstanding experience and would have to be the highlight of all the tours I have done over the past two months in Peru.
Arranged by Ultimate Tours, my trip was with Rainforest Expeditions and from when I was met at Puerto Maldonado airport by Kike my guide for the four days until I returned all was smoothly organised.
An hour bus ride, then an hour on motorized canoe along the Tambopata River to reach my destination of Posada Amazonas lodge.
The journey to the lodge was filled with interesting information by the guides on the local area and what research projects were being undertaken by the Tambopata Research Centre.
 The lodge itself exceeded my expectations in all aspects especially in regard to comfort and service.
I had time to settle in, then a walk through the jungle to the canopy tower. A 37 metre tower providing 360 degree views above the jungle canopy. I stayed on the tower to watch the sunset and witness numerous species of birds and monkeys. We returned to the lodge for a cold shower (very welcome due to the high humidity) and had drinks at the bar.
Day Two was a 4am start to go up the river and then trek to the Tres Chimbadas Oxbox Lake where the river otters gave us a performance and uncharacteristically came very close to our catamaran to check us out!
Kike our guide was in awe of this display as the otters are usually viewed by telescope across the lake. We then fished for piranhas (I caught a few) however we did return them happily to their habitat.
Late afternoon we took another boat ride to visit the medicinal gardens where the local Sharman. We toured the gardens where native plants and trees are used for healing numerous ailments and conditions where I was convinced to try some plants to guess their properties. A numb mouth and purple hands followed... All in good fun.
Day Three. Most of our group of five left this morning and as I paid for an extra day I had Kike all to myself for 24 hours... oh what to do!
I had a number of activities to choose from and I opted for a walk to the Clay Lick to watch the Macaws and Parrakeets then chose to relax in my hammock for the afternoon. A wise choice as I witnessed several monkeys putting on a show for me outside my room. Drinks and a game of chess with Kike topped off my day.
During my stay the staff at the lodge and my guide Kike did everything to make my stay most enjoyable. Kike's wicked sense of humour ensured laughter was commonplace.
The food was excellent, kerosene lamps and candles for lighting made the atmosphere relaxed and the guide's flexibility to the group's wishes ensured a wonderful experience.
Day Four. I sadly departed the lodge for my flight back to Cusco and high altitude again.
I highly recommend this trip and if you want to enjoy some down time to relax and soak up the atmosphere, then take an extra day.
Written by Cathy from Australia.
Experience Cusco way of life with a local home-stay
Since I was only going to be volunteering in Cusco for two weeks I thought it would be a richer experience if I stayed with a local family instead of house sharing with other volunteers. Plus it's a sure way to learn Spanish quickly!
 I wasn't sure what to expect, but the Cartegena family have been very welcoming and have treated me like one of their daughters. It's much like staying at a B&B.
Breakfast (continental style) with fresh orange is waiting for me each morning and if I'm home at night I'm served a three-course meal.
I have my own bedroom, but share a bathroom with a shower that took me three days to work out how to get hot water!
If it's anything to go by they must be classed as pretty well off since they have cable TV!
Their home is conveniently located near the Mega Mercado Magisterio and about 10 minutes from the main city with a 10-15 taxi or rapido ride to the Peru's Challenge office.
They have three daughters and a son. Their 10 year old grandson, Diago lives with them and has been teaching me to play video games with not much luck.
Being Spanish there is much coming and going of friends and family and I'm still trying to work out who is related to who.
I've only been with the family for a week, but would highly recommend a home-stay for an authentic experience.
Plus my Spanish is coming along nicely – bueno!
Written by Lisa from Australia.
The simple life on Lake Titicaca
I can highly recommend a weekend trip to Lake Titicaca. Aside from the prospect of hot showers at the hotel in Puno, it is a phenomenal trip and insight into the lives of a traditional Peruvian family.
 After an all day bus trip and overnight in Puno, and a three hour (slow) boat ride, you arrive at Amantani Island where you are greeted by your hosts for the evening, in their traditional attire.
Amantani Island is far from flat, so after a slow walk up to your house you are shown to your room and fed beautiful food prepared by these women in a kitchen with barely any space let alone utensils.
At dusk you trek up the hill to watch the sunset over Lake Titicaca and see the snow capped mountains of Bolivia across the lake. (I can highly recommend a cold Cusqueña beer sold at the top of the mountain to ensure maximum enjoyment of the view).
 After another beautiful meal you are dressed in local attire for a dance in the local hall before an early night.
On Sunday after departure we walked up Taquille Island, which offers a great view over the lake, before returning back to Puno for another hot shower, and then a first class train trip back to Cuzco on Monday.
The thing which struck me most on Amantani was the sense of community there, and the happiness and friendliness of our hosts who, by our standards, had so little. It reminded me of why I was here in South America and why I was doing what I was doing.
Written by Sandy from Australia.
Let's build a community
Would you like to attend the inaugural 'Peru's Challenge Build a Community Ball'? Some of the volunteers from the November placement have decided to organise the first annual Ball, to be held in Sydney, Australia. The Ball aims to help raise money for Peru's Challenge and help re-unite some of the old volunteers. The proposal for the 2008 Ball is the 'Build a Community Ball', and will be held in the middle of the year (probably June or July). For future years the Ball will be held in February, when Jane and Selvy will be in Australia, however that was too hard to organise for this year given the lack of time.
We have put together a proposal which we have given to Jane for her review and approval, and once we have this we will formalise details!
To give you a taste, we are planning on selling items made by the Talleres ladies, there will be photo's for auction, donations to be made to help contribute to the school and perhaps even a live animal for auction.......
Stay tuned for more details. We hope to see you there!"
Welcome to our new Volunteer Manager
After such a great response for the position of our new Volunteer Manager, we have finally gone through all applications, conducted interviews and selected our candidate. Congratulations to Mark Dutfield who will start with us in December this year to complete a three-week handover from our wonderful Ginny.
Mark volunteered with Peru's Challenge for three months earlier this year and expressed his interest to return and work with Peru's Challenge as the Volunteer Manager.
Congratulations Mark. Although we are sad to see Ginny go, we are really excited to have you work with us and can't wait to get started.
Get in quick to volunteer with Peru's Challenge in 2008
Thanks to the fantastic television stories on Getaway in Australia, and great word of mouth testimonials from previous volunteers, our volunteer placements for 2008 are nearly booked up.
 No wonder why the Lonely Planet recognises us as one of the top five destinations to volunteer in the world.
All months from now up to and including July 2008 are full. You may apply for these months and go on a waiting list in the case that we get cancellations.
If you really want to come and volunteer with us, apply for any placement from September 2008 onwards as each has plenty of spots available.
Click here to apply online for a volunteer placement on one, two or three months. You can also email Ginny or Mark if you have any questions on volunteer@peruschallenge.com or if you would like to speak with previous volunteers.
Thanks to volunteers leaving us in November
 Carrie, thanks for all your help up at the school for the last four weeks.
Thanks Nat for your four weeks with us. I hope you enjoyed your time and thanks for your help with classes.
Tim and Laura, thank you for all of your assistance and advice with our Marketing and Sponsorship plans. The Ball is going to be a great success and we thank you for managing it all. Thanks also for the shorts that you donated to the Grade 5&6 kids for sports classes.
Rachel, sorry I don't have a photo of you! Thanks for all of your help, especially with the additional fundraising. You have changed the life of Ernestina and her family.
Thanks Susan for all of your help up at Pumamarca over the last four week.
Sandy, thanks for joining us for a month and I appreciate all of your help up at Pumamarca.
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