Visit to Cuna Jardin, Corazón de Jesus

A recent visit to the Cuna Jardin, a like to photos: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_01_24_visit_to_cuna_jardin

Our recent visit to the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus. It’s summer so there are only about 40 children taking arts classes, including dance, and a math class. More children will be attending starting in March. Becasue of security reasons during a fire or earthquake all the doors need to be changed to open outward rather into a room.

Visit to IRID

I recently visited IRID, link to photos with cutlines: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_02_14_visit_to_irid

There are currently 32 residents, asked to accept more, but don’t have the capacity/capability, lack of staff.There are 70 children enrolled in the school.

Applying to be licensed to accept babies, if approved will receive funding to hire staff.

Also applying to the Ministry of Education for approval for 5 trades training programs: electricity, carpentry, water management, baking and dressmaking – two shifts a day AM & PM, if approved they will receive full funding for the program. The classes will be for both high functioning residents and for non- residents who will come in for the training. The first floor of the new residence building will hold two training rooms and in the middle is a two-story chapel, which divides the upstairs into two resident areas: male and female. Currently,working on finishing rooms and bathrooms for older residents and the trades training rooms. The chapel outside is finished – see photo, but the inside still needs completion. 

Animals – still have rabbits, sheep, alpaca and horse and 5 guard geese, costly to keep larger animals so are planting a huge field with alfalfa for feed.

They didn’t receive the expected Christmas donations – usually enough in-kind and monetary donations to provide non-perishable food for the year.

A translation of the poster about services offered and handicaps residents have:

Services: early intervention, sensory stimulation, psychomotor stimulation, speech therapy, behaviour training, physical therapy, daily life activities, classes (support) for families whose children attend the school and psychologist.

Handicaps: intellectual, autism, motor, deaf/mute, blind and multi-handicapped.

Another Successful Latin Music Night

Thanks to the wonderful performances by Jorge Vargas and both Los Rebledes Musicales and Mariachi Mundo and by Oscar-Jose Garcia and the True North Community Jazz Ensemble we had another successful Latin Music Night. Fabulous music, great support from those that attended, bought at the silent auction and donated.
Photos at: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2023_10_27_latin_music_night

Latin Music Night – Friday Oct. 27/23

Our annual Latin Music Night is Friday October 27th at St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive. Doors at 5:30.
Come out for great music, food, bid on silent auction items and help us support the agencies in Arequipa Peru.
Tickets still only $25, including refreshments available through an e-transfer to supcsociety@gmail.com.


Another success at our annual Peruvian Dinner

Thank you everyone who came out to the SUPC fundraising dinner last night, those that volunteered, to those that donated, and those who bought items at the silent auction. Special thanks to Carla Tamayo Aragonfor her wonderful food and help in promoting the event.Thanks as well to the talented Jorge Vargas for his engaging performance. With all your help we had a successful event.

Click on the picture to view more photos from the dinner.

Arequipa Update

While in Arequipa I was able to visit the Cuna Jardin twice and IRID once. After the covid restrictions both have resumed regular activities. Children are back in person at the Cuna, although numbers are down to 90 compared to the more than 120 pre-pandemic. My first visit was for the Navidad (Christmas) celebration, both Tracy and I gave out donated gifts to the children. (see photos)

https://pbase.com/tracyk/2022_12_22_cuna_visit__christmas_party

I visited again during summer holiday, from January to mid-March, to go over the social economic data on the parents. Although some have improved living conditions, electricity, etc. many still live in extreme poverty, a Mom with one or two children in a single room without amenities, or in a larger home shared with several extended family members also without amenities.

My visit to IRID coincided with the rainy season (see photos) but I was able to tour both the garden, the animals, and the new building for older residents which is still under construction. Work occurs when there are funds for supplies and to pay workers. Because of on-going theft protective bars have been placed on the widow openings of the building. The garden has expanded and there are several animals on site which are being raised for food and a horse for therapeutic riding.

Also, for the first time since the pandemic started, I was able to visit with the children. Currently there are 32 residents at IRID and children who live with their families are once again able to attend school in person.

Dra. Mary Luz is still involved with IRID, hoever her nephew Mauricio now oversees the daily activities of the home.

https://pbase.com/tracyk/2023_03_14_irid_visit

Latin Music Night – another success

Thank you to all who came out to support our fundraiser Latin Music Night Special thanks to Hitomi and all at the Yardbird Suite who helped make the event happen and to all the volunteers. Thanks as well to those who donated to the silent auction and bought items. And, as always a very grateful thank you to the performers: Jorge Vargas, Los Rebeldes Musicales and Mariachi Mundo with Frank Bessai and also the True North Community Jazz Ensemble with Oscar-Jose Garcia. Without their participation we wouldn’t have been able to have such a successful event.

Photos to the night in the link below:

https://pbase.com/tracyk/2022_11_06_supc_latin_music_night

Latin Music Night – Nov. 6th at the Yardbird Suite

We’re returning to the Yardbird Suite for our Latin Music Night fundraiser. Come out to hear some great Latin Music and jazz, bid on local and Peruvian items and support the agencies we work with in Arequipa
Doors at 5:30, Music at 6:00 (Please note this is the day we return to Standard time).
Tickets only $25 and include light refreshments, children six to 10 $10 and under six free.
Tickets available with an e-transfer to supcsociety@gmail.com or using the donate button on this website. Hope to see you there.