Many of the 121 students at Villa Marcelo grade school in Urubamba, Peru live on a diet of potatoes and tea that provides much less than the necessary 1400 to 2200 calories that most young boys and girls need. Severe malnutrition has affected both the children’s health and their academic performance. For example, last year, eighteen percent of the students required extra schooling, and fourteen percent dropped out of school. In addition, those students who do complete their schooling at Villa Marcelo often lack the skills necessary to progress out of poverty. The school itself lacks basic infrastructure and resources. Nexos Voluntarios (with the support of the volunteers) has worked with Villa Marcelo since February 2009 and is deeply invested in improving and supporting the school. In preparation for future projects, NeVo assisted in building a cafeteria that can accommodate all 121 students.

Now, in order to address the difficult situation facing the school, as well as the community of Urubamba as a whole, Nexos Voluntarios has organized a comprehensive project, “Kuychi Wasi,” that contributes to both the education and the nutrition of the students. The name of the project, “Kuychi Wasi” or “Rainbow House,” refers to the idea of sun and rain, the ideal conditions for agriculture, because the project involves planting a large organic vegetable garden. The garden, which is a full 2,700 meters squared, will allow older students the opportunity to care for and learn about the crops, while also providing produce to be used in school lunches. Any vegetables not used in the school lunches will be sold at local markets, and profits will be put back into the project in order to sustain and improve it. The Kuychi Wasi project directly confronts the problem of malnutrition, incorporates an educational aspect, engages the community, including students, teachers, and parents, and will, with time, become self-sufficient. In addition, although the project will first be implemented only at Villa Marcelo, it can later be replicated and adapted to the needs of other schools in Urubamba.

Unfortunately, the Kuychi Wasi project, which was originally proposed for the 2009 NeVo Social Fund, cannot develop, prosper, and ultimately become self-sustaining without initial funding assistance. Agricultural projects require a variety of supplies, including fertilizer, seeds, and water. In addition, the Kuychi Wasi project will involve the support of a nutritionist and a coordinator to help the project run smoothly and effectively. Nexos Voluntarios has taken a variety of approaches to secure funding for this project, including participation in a Nextel social responsibility competition and various grant applications. However financial support has been hard to find, and due to the difficult economic situation, many organizations are not accepting grant applications this year. If you are interested in participating in this project or would like to donate money to support the students at Villa Marcelo, please contact kbrunk@nexosvoluntarios.org. In addition, take a look at this link to listen to the school director’s comments on this project: link.

I arrived in Peru two weeks ago, settling into the delights of Miraflores in Lima.  The beauty of the ocean and the parks along the coast, the wide variety of restaurants, cafés, and shops, the comfort of my centrally-located apartment—these are lovely and enjoyable, but to accept Miraflores as an accurate reflection of the whole of Peru would be both naïve and unfair.

Fortunately, my internship with Nexos Voluntarios has given me a window into the struggles and hardships facing the greater Peruvian population.  NeVo’s volunteer projects in Urubamba address a variety of needs in the community, from educational improvement and antiracism campaigns to environmental protection initiatives.

As a coordinating intern in Lima, I am not participating directly in any of the projects. However, in the process of learning about them and the social issues they address, I have learned about Peru and the many challenges that are not readily visible when walking through Miraflores.

For example, in order to look for funding for a nutrition program at Villa Marcelo grade school, I read about the high rates of malnutrition in the student population and the ways in which this malnutrition contributes to low academic performance.

What strikes me most about the projects NeVo supports, however, is not their painful roots, but rather their innovation and the ways in which they directly involve the affected communities.  The Villa Marcelo project would involve planting large vegetable gardens cared for by the students and using the produce in school lunches to enhance their nutritional value.  Any additional produce would be sold at local markets, and profits would be used to continue the project.  The Villa Marcelo project is only one of many initiatives that NeVo is trying to support and develop, and unfortunately, malnutrition is only one of many difficulties facing the community of Urubamba.

The projects themselves depend on the support of volunteers from around the world who work in their fields of interest and expertise.  The opportunities that NeVo offers these volunteers are intriguing, valuable, and challenging.  They include experience doing hands-on social service work with the community of Urubamba, the option of taking Spanish classes if desired, and a stimulating environment in which to connect with other dedicated volunteers.

NeVo still has volunteer positions open for the summer months, as well as for the upcoming semesters and winter break.  And while NeVo certainly looks forward to providing such valuable experiences, the benefits of volunteer participation are mutual.  Nexos Voluntarios simply cannot survive without the participation and contribution of those who work with us.

As a non-profit, non-governmental organization, Nexos Voluntarios faces the central challenge that all non-profits must face, especially during difficult economic times—fundraising.

My previous internship experience with a philanthropic organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota opened my eyes to the constant struggle behind the essential, concrete work of volunteers and community organizers.  My work with NeVo has reinforced this understanding and increased my respect and appreciation for those who give their time and energy to difficult causes.

As I begin to develop a connection to Lima and become more familiar with Peruvian culture, both my commitment to Nexos Voluntarios and my concern for Peru’s deeply-rooted social problems have deepened.

“Nexos” means “links” in Spanish, and the links that Nexos Voluntarios has begun to foster in my own life have inspired me to look beyond the simple beauty of Miraflores into the more complicated essence of Peru.

I can write about the statistics. Those that say 80% of the houses in the Province of Urubamba were destroyed, but one can learn the numbers easily. I can explain what is happening with the 1500 tourists in Machu Picchu, their evacuation, but the news is already saturated with that story. What is missing, and what is most important, is the voice of the affected Peruvians. What are they doing? What do they need? What happened?

Through my work in community development with the civil association, Nexos Voluntarios, I have had the opportunity to speak with many people in the Sacred Valley and their stories are always similar. At about two in the morning, the river reached and entered their houses. They rushed to grab their children and, if they were lucky, a few small items that they could carry. They had to flee from the water, leaving their homes, farmlands, and all their possessions. Still, days later, they tell it with a sense of disbelief in their eyes. They are left with nothing, and the story doesn’t end there.

As the water recedes, a new flood of debris, mud, and dark blue Civil Defense tents appears. Plazas, fields, and other open spaces fill with people looking for food, water, clothes, and a place to sleep.

Others, with better luck or more resources, work with their local municipalities or as independent volunteers to help with the distribution of alimentation and clothing, the salvage of building materials from what were once houses, or with the coordination of aid. The central government has almost no presence. Up to the 29^th of January, it was busy sending helicopters for the tourists in Machu Picchu while their citizens, those who already were living in poverty, fight to reconstruct all that they have lost. The same can be said for the international news. But still, there is hope.

In spite of all that has happened- the flood, destruction, loss- the people of the Sacred Valley remain strong, ready to help and move forward. It is this same strength that allowed the spirit of the Incas to survive here, in the sierra. The ferocity of the conquistadores, the racism, oppression, terrorism, and even the influence of other countries could not erase the culture of the people. Here it remains. Their dress, music, language, and dances still exist. Without food, security, housing, one can still see people working together, sometimes laughing- surviving. This is to have hope. All they need is some help.

NeVo is collecting donations of non-perishable foods, clothing, and money.  If you would like to help, please contact Ian directly at imcgroarty@nexosvoluntarios.org.

Greetings,

I am writing to you today to inform you about a very important project that Nexos Voluntarios is currently working on in the rural district of Urubamba. The Urubamba Children’s Education Project is changing the lives of children in Peru. By helping improve children’s education in this area, you are helping them escape poverty and giving them the hope, motivation and the tools required to prosper.

Urubamba is a rural district located in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the significant ruins of the Inca Empire. About 78 km northeast of Cusco, this area is home to some of Peru’s poor people.

Nexos Voluntarios is a Lima- Peru based charity that has been working in Urubamba since 2008 in the different areas of Community Development, Health Care, Human Rights, Environment, Education, Business and Development. Now, NeVo is focusing on the enormous benefits of education because it is the most important tool for empowering the community to improve its quality of life and promote development across the sectors. Helped by The Alan Harman Charitable Fund, NeVo hopes to improve the education services offered to children in the area by preparing:

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1. A DIAGNOSIS of the six selected schools in the area to address the persistent problem of teacher motivation and large class size. The diagnosis will consist of interviewing teachers, students and parents. This assessment has been carried out in July.

2. TRAINING teachers and reflecting with them on daily life challenges related to burn-out and quality of education.

3. Preparing a PROGRAM with the help of the Ministry of Education to implement the recommendations in the various schools.

4. FOLLOW-UP reports every 3 months to verify the efficacy of the program.

5. TRAINING parents to look after their children’s education. It is important to have parents actively participate in their children’s education and stimulate pleasant and fun studying at home. Also, we would like to start a radio program in Urubamba in order to reach a wider range of people and create a space for children, parents, teachers and civil society in general to talk about human rights – and its obstacles, peace culture and any other related topic.

Nexos Voluntarios is currently raising money for this project and we are asking you for your help. Your donation will go towards all the materials and supplies needed for workshops and school related projects. At this time, with all of our resources and knowledge, being denied an education is unacceptable. The community’s education is the most powerful tool they have to escape poverty. The smallest donation will make a big difference for these children. Please help The Urubamba Children’s Education Project by sending your donation to our PAYPAL account by clicking the DONATE button on our webpage. We ask you to join us to help educate the children of Urubamba and their families.

Kindest regards,

Nexos Voluntarios

The Asociación de Artesanos Valle Sagrado is comprised of 32 artisans from Urubamba-Cusco, Peru that are dedicated to the creation and sale of original products from Peru’s Sacred Valley. Their Products include clothing (traditional and modern), jewelry, musical instruments, tapestries, ceramics and more.

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The Asociación de Artesanos Valle Sagrado now has their own Facebook Page where you can see more photos of their work!

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By Carolina Benavides

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There are those who would reduce the difference between developed countries and ours own down to material wealth, without noticing that, although it is an important factor, it is not the only one.  Social conditions, culture, and human rights cannot be left on the side.  That is to say that real development is closely bound to each element and should guarantee all citizens a good standard of living and access to good education.

It is clear that those who grow up under these positive conditions are able to nurture their creative potential and an awareness of their surroundings.

This is the exact experience that we have seen at our organization.  We are witnesses to the commitment of North American and European youth that come to our country in order to work shoulder to shoulder with Peruvians from underdeveloped communities.  They don’t come with the goal of “teaching” those who are “primitive.”  They do what they do with the intention of enriching themselves morally and learning about the new territory.

Here they are confronted with unimaginable situations that they are able to approach and, in doing so, combine the resources of Peruvians—experts in surviving—with the imagination and knowledge of those who have had the privilege of a comprehensive education.  The volunteers that we welcome get involved, under our guidance, with many diverse projects of Peruvian institutions that often rely on international support.  During their stay, we make sure to review their perceptions and critically reflect on their experiences.

We draw a line between charity—which is not bad, by any means—and reflective solidarity.  The latter is not just acting, but also really analyzing the collective responsibility that we assume because we are convinced of the urgent need for major change.

Our focus is not just to give our time and dedication, but also to establish connections between citizens from diverse backgrounds that should benefit everyone equally.  In order to achieve this, we examine the facts and question the injustices that underlie them.

An effective way to confront and bring awareness to residents of the developed world is by means of a message brought to them by their children, students, or friends.  This generates, little by little, a productive chain.  Before the eyes of the citizens of wealthy metropolises the image of Peruvians as “cheap labour” begins to fade and is replaced by the image of Peruvians as capable of relating to others eye to eye as equals.  We hope that the young people who visit us will be able to spread the message to their peers who have not been able to be challenged in a setting like this.  In doing so, they will be helping to create genuine connections between themselves and Peruvians of all walks of life.

]]> http://nexosvoluntarios.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/productive-chains/feed/ 0 nexosvoluntarios nevo peru http://nexosvoluntarios.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/nevo-house-lima/ http://nexosvoluntarios.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/nevo-house-lima/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:24:59 +0000 nexosvoluntarios http://nexosvoluntarios.wordpress.com/?p=106 ]]> The NeVo House in Miraflores- Lima

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Welcome to the NeVo house in Miraflores- Lima! The NeVo House is a cozy meeting point for volunteers… it is where you can relax, read and bond.

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The NeVo House is located within a beautiful architectural patrimony from the 1800s in the heart of Miraflores – one of the most charming areas in Lima. It is a one-of-a kind space, a place you can call your own and where you will always feel a sense of welcome and belonging. Here bonds are strengthened and communities created amidst casual chats around the fireplace. At the Nevo House, volunteers meet every morning for breakfast, can read and do research, have access to the Internet, hold group Spanish conversation classes, attend to conferences and round tables or just meet with friends, chat a bit and have a delicious cup of Peruvian coffee.

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Miraflores really is the heart of the city. It’s full of shopping areas (Larcomar- shop right along the Pacific Coast!), restaurants, cafes (Starbucks too), parks and beaches (try surfing here or paragliding). If you head North you’ll hit San Isidro and Surquillo, East will take you to Santiago de Surco, South to the popular district of Barranco and West the Pacific Ocean. Stop by the NeVo house when you are exploring the city.

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NeVo also has a lovely house in Urubamba-Cusco! Check back soon to see some photos from the warm atmosphere and volunteers located there!

See what projects interest you and get involved

“You cannot create experience, you must undergo it.” A.Camus

Teaching English in Urubamba

Urubamba is located in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the significant ruins of the Inca Empire. This Peruvian town is eagerly seeking volunteers to teach English to children in Pre-Kindergarden, Primary and High School. Nexos Voluntarios works closely with three different schools in the community where English is either not being taught, or not being taught effectively. English is a potential tool in empowering the community to improve it’s quality of life. Help be responsible for the success of this project and expand your own skills during this rewarding experience.

Supporting the Artisans in the Sacred Valley

Cusco is the center of the Incan Empire and it receives thousands of visitors a year heading to Machu Picchu. Urubamba is one of the larger towns in the Sacred Valley and is a transit hub for regional buses. Here, many artisans have discovered a good market in which to improve and sell their products. However, the number of markets and increased competition have reduced the profits of the artisans. We are looking for volunteers who are students or experts in the following areas: Business Administration, Accounting, Global Development, International Commerce and Art & Design. With the help of our volunteers, our goals are to develop: a business plan for the association, additional sales channels in order to increase revenue, a marketing campaign to promote the market, training sessions in basic business tools and improving the design of their products. Help prepare the artisans to be self-sufficient in one of our most rewarding projects.

Reproductive Health Campaign

Urubamba is located in the Sacred Valley surrounded by the ruins of the Inca Empire. Here, the birthrate is more than double what it is in Lima. Many of the  Peruvians who lack information and access to reproductive health services are adolescents. This leads to a high rate of adolescent pregnancy in addition to the problems that adult Peruvian women face from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. Supported by the United Nations Population Fund, this project is based on the implementation of reproductive health classes in several high schools that will strive to inform adolescents about the consequences and facts of sexual activity so that they can better control their futures. If you are a student or expert in the field of Human Rights, Social Development, Public Health, Medicine or Education, we need your enthusiasm and desire to promote social equality for the development of this community.

Human Rights Campaign Against Racism in Peru

Racism and racial discrimination have a long history in Peru, they continue to create inequalities and intolerances that are dividing the country today. Nevo, with the support of specialists in this area, is leading a campaign against racism within and across the various socio-economic groups from Lima and Urubamba-Cusco. This project seeks to create awareness of discriminatory practices by collaborating with children, families, schools, and government agencies to advocate policy changes in local government. Our volunteers are responsible for the success of the campaign by carrying out educational sessions about discrimination in school, the development of a research plan to evaluate the practicality of the anti-discrimination law and analyze how it can be enforced and formulating a strategy for legally punishing those who violate the anti-discrimination law. Help bring public consciousness of racism and discrimination in order to bring equality to Peru.

Community Development- Helping Media Luna

Media Luna is a community situated at 7km from the district of Urubamba, in the province of Cusco. With a total population of 600 people, Media Luna has electricity and running water but lacks many of the necessary components to develop out of poverty. It is in need of adequate: infrastructure, educational level for its population, health services and public health capacities to promote good health in the population, a culture that promotes equity among men and women particularly in the real of reproductive health and labor rights and an economic activity that is profitable and sustainable. NeVo proposed a diagnosis of the key areas of development in order to analyze the current situation in regard to each of the different fields, signaling the major problems and possible solutions. This project has volunteers as its foundation; they are responsible for its success and continued existence, and they provide the physical and intellectual energy that make it an effective project.

Saving the Environment in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Peru has an immense natural beauty that possess coast, mountainous regions, and tropical forests; however, there are important environmental issues which are not being addressed in Peru that contribute to the destruction of the country. They include: deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, air pollution in urban centers, pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes, and the depletion of fisheries as a result of overfishing. As an increasing awareness of these problems grows, there has been a rise in movements to protect the environment, as well as Peru’s indigenous people. NeVo has teamed up with EcoValles, a non-profit organization that promotes the protection of the environment in the Sacred Valley through traditions of Andean culture, and the Municipality of Urubamba, to combat the destruction of Peru’s breathtaking natural environment. Volunteers who are related to ecology, environmental science, ecological tourism or public health are an integral and indispensable for this project.

Community Development- Helping Shismay

The Community of San Sebastian de Shismay it’s located 17 km away from the city of Huanuco, located on a lovely mountain with a gorgeous scenery. It is an ideal place to learn more about the Andean culture and to help the people living in extreme poverty.In spite of the current peacefulness and beauty of the place, Shismay carries a sad history, related to politics, social abandonment and poverty. However, the willingness to grow out of poverty is something visitors perceive in its inhabitants, as a drive for better education and health care services. This project has volunteers as its foundation; they are responsible for its success and continued existence, and they provide the physical and intellectual energy that make it an effective project.

By Daniela DiStefano, University of Western Ontario

On our first day in the town of Urubamba, Perú under the snow-capped mountain of Chicon, our Nexos Voluntarios project coordinator Maricarmen Valdivieso told us that the people we would meet in the next seven days would remember us for the rest of their lives.

As our group gathered on the wooden floors of the Nexos Voluntarios house for orientation, we knew it was the beginning of a profound journey. However, we did not anticipate the tremendous amount of accomplishment, gratitude, and inspiration we would return home with.

The first day of our service project started with breakfast at local café La Esquina consisting of bread with jam, and coco leaf tea to help with the altitude adjustment; after all we were 11,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes! We then traveled to Escuela Villa Marcelo, the local elementary school where we would be assisting in the creation of a library and cafeteria. As we stepped onto the rocky dirt road, we were greeted by many curious faces eager to know what this bus full of “gringos,” as they so affectionately called us foreigners, was doing in their community. A little apprehensive at first, I never felt so welcomed by complete strangers, and in a few days I felt like a member of the community.

Our senses overwhelmed with the strong summer sun on our foreheads, crisp mountain air in our lungs, and the reflection of a vast green mountain ranges in our sunglasses, we made our way into the school yard to be greeted by some cows casually enjoying breakfast. We then met the school principal, Hector, who would be working with us on our various tasks. He may have had the title of “director” at Villa Marcelo, but throughout the week we witnessed Hector as a painter, cook, tile setter, contractor and even a musician, going over and above his role as chief administrator.

Then it was time to meet some of the grade one to six students. “Hola!,” I greeted one curly-haired boy. “Como te llamas?” The small boy glared up at me through big brown eyes. “Me llamo Yahweh,” he exclaimed so proud to introduce himself. This was all the conversation my limited Spanish could handle, but the connections I made with Yahweh and the other children as we played in the schoolyard or enjoyed some corn would not be lost in translation.

Every morning for the next few days, we put on our purple “Be the Change” t-shirts and head out to Villa Marcelo with the Nexos coordinators Maricarmen and Connie. The organization we worked with, Nexos Voluntarios, promotes social development in Peru through impact-driven voluntary activity. Four days, a bucket of grout, a few sheets of sandpaper, a 50 pack of travel wipes, and many coats of paint later, the library and cafeteria were ready to be filled with students. What a week! It was strenuous and sometimes uncertain, but none of us had worked on such a worthwhile project in our lives.

The purpose of the Alternative Spring Break program is to provide Western students with a hands-on experience that will enhance their academic careers and inspire their future endeavors. I learned a great deal about the challenges NGOs like Nexos Voluntarios in Perú are working with. While poverty affects 40 percent of the people, tourists are spending thousands to visit their Incan ruins. The country is in need of social development, but the people do not lack talent and enthusiasm; rather they lack opportunity. As a volunteer I am proud to say I provided the students at Villa Marcello with the resources for them to become aware of the possibilities life holds, and to build the inspiration to attain them.

Whatever I have given to the families in Urubamba in time and effort, they have paid me back ten-fold with a new-found knowledge and gratitude I can incorporate into every aspect of my life. I found something in me that I didn’t know was there; it was the confidence to use the gifts I have been blessed with to create positive change for others.

A week ago, 20 Western students were unknowingly walking past each other in the UCC, but in a few days we built a union, provided resources for the future of a school, and cultivated friendships and experiences that will be with us long after graduation. I know I could not fix the problems of an entire country in one week, but there is no denying I learned and shared more than ever expected.

Maricarmen told us the people in Urubamba would remember us for the rest of their lives. Six thousand kilometers away back in London, I find myself thinking of my trip to Peru everyday. My mind is filled with incredible knowledge, and my heart filled with memories of a community of people that I too will remember for the rest of my life.

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