south america

peru

Cusco - Peru

Lolita met Alcides in 2006 through the Colibri Programme, Cusco during her teaching experience. Alcides is a Police Officer with Cusco’s Police Department. It was through his work that he realised the growing social problem with the street children. In 1997 Alcides motivated the Police Department, with the help of the public and private authorities, to put in place an operation to take the children off the street and provide temporary shelter. The children were also introduced to the Colibri programme which was established as a place to study, learn English and play. These children had been involved with drugs and anti-social behaviour, in most cases put in this position by their parents and not experienced the joys of childhood.

Colibri after school programme operates weekdays between 5pm to 8pm and is located at 410 Resbalosa Street in Cusco.
In 2002 Alcides also started a new project to provide the children a place to live and receive an education. “Azul Wasi” (Azul meaning Blue in Spanish, Wasi meaning House in Cachua). His objective is to help them to develop their potential skills, which permits them to grow up, find jobs, and actively take part in society. The construction began in 2006 in the town of Oropesa, 30 minutes from Cusco, on a 5,467 square meters of donated land. The project is 20% complete and funding is needed to continue.

“The vocational preparation at The Blue House is unique, as there are lots of organisations that help children in need, but most offer very little support after the children reach 18 years of age. The Blue House's focus on capacity-building will provide teenagers at the House with vocational training, as well as partnerships with microfinance organisations in order to teach these growing children the value of money and to assist them in starting their own companies when they leave Azul Wasi” Global Crossroad

http://www.globalcrossroad.com/humanitariantrips/peru.php

Read about a couple’s experience at Azul Wasi:
http://amyandmikeinperu.blogspot.com/2005/12/la-casa-azul.html

Photo Gallery