About

Standing Up For Peruvian Children Foundation (SUPC) is a non-profit society started by Marcia Tait, a social work instructor at NorQuest College and students from the College’s social work program, to provide support for agencies in Arequipa, Peru.

In addition to Tait the founding members, were Aisha Oboh, Carmen Lee, Vicky Duran and Link Nanaquawetung.

In 2011 and 2012, social work students completed a block practicum (work placement) for their NorQuest College social work diploma program in Arequipa, Peru. During their time in Arequipa, the students studied Spanish, stayed with a local family, and worked in agencies supporting families living in extreme poverty. Five social work students also completed their practicum at IRID and the Cuna Jardin in May and June, 2016.

Upon returning to Edmonton, two of the students, Aisha Oboh and Carmen Severight, who did their practicum in 2011, decided to provide ongoing support for the agencies they worked in. With their practicum supervisor Tait as well as Duran and Nanaquawetung they formed SUPC.  Nicole Barrett and Christine Murray who did their practium in 2012 are also involved in SUPC, Nicole as a board member and Christine helped co-ordinate the first Latin Music Night fundraiser. Brandy Berry who completed her practicum in 2016 has also joined the board.

Funds raised go to support:

:Instituto de Rehabiltaction Integral Para Discapacitados (I.R.I.D.) a home center for handicapped children who were abandoned by their parents; it also provides in-home supports to children remaining with their families;
Ayudame Caballo, a therapeutic riding centre for handicapped children; and
Cuna Jardin, Corazón de Jesús  provides day care and kindergarten for children from the outskirts of Arequipa and literacy classes for their parents who had to leave school at an early age to work.