While in Arequipa we visited the homework club at the Cuna Jardin Corazon de Jesus. 17 children from six to 12 years come after their school day ends and do homework under the supervision of two tutors. Upon arrival they have something to eat prior to starting thier homework. I was impressed with the level the students were working at and how focused each one was on completing their work.
Photos here: https://pbase.com/…/2026_04_17_cuna_jardin_homework_class
IRID visit: the entrance and with the Director Mauricio. There’s been some improvements in the yard, with an increased activity area with additional covering for protection from the sun’s high UVA. Also, there are now three new horses for therapeutic riding.
More photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2026_03_19_irid_visit
While I’ve been in Arequipa I’ve visted both the Cuna Jardin Corazon de Jesus and the El Instituto de Rehabilitación Integral para Discapacitados (IRID). While the area where we live is relatively safe there is increased crime in the city which affects both agencies. In discussion with the Director at the Cuna Jardin there are on-going security concerns in the area where the children’s families live and we were not able to go on home visits. For it’s protection, the Cuna Jardin has installed security cameras and now has a night security person
From: Clove.co.uk blog:
Recent data and reports indicate a concerning increase in criminal activities within the Peruvian region of Arequipa. Authorities and local stakeholders are voicing growing alarm over the rise in security incidents, which have affected public safety, economic stability, and social cohesion.
“…, over the past year, there has been a marked uptick in various forms of crime, including theft, assault, and organized criminal activities. Experts attribute this increase to a combination of factors such as economic challenges, the proliferation of illicit markets, and insufficient policing resources.
Local businesses express concerns over the safety of their premises and employees, leading to increased costs for security measures. Additionally, the psychological toll on the community exacerbates social divides, contributing to a climate of mistrust.”
The Cuna Jardin is in full operation with a total of 90 children from two to five years old. As well, there are 11 older children in a homework club. Fortunately, despite the heavy rains in February the only damage was from leakage from an adjoining building which damaged the shared wall and a bookcase that was next to the wall.
Link to more photos, visiting each of the classrooms and with the Director Marianela Fuentes: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2026_03_18_cuna_jardin_visit
Janaury 2026 flooding in Arequipa, including in Sabandia where the Instituto de Rehabilitación Integral para Discapacitados (IRID ) the centre for handicapped children that SUPC supports is located. The rainy season usually starts in February, this year it started early and was been extremely damaging this year: overflowing ravines and mudslides destroying everything in its path including vehicles and homes.
Both IRID and the Cuna Jardin escaped major damage but the children’s families and neighbourhoods in the surrounding areas were devestated.
Six dead and more than 4,000 affected by the rain
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, please donate to SUPC to support IRID and the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus.
While in Arequipa I visited both IRID and the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus. When we visited the Instituto de Rehabilitación Integral para Discapacitados (IRID) we were shown the ongoing improvements at the Centre.
Work continues on the new building for the older residents, with one of the training rooms on the lower level almost finished. Rain damaged part of the ceiling and it needs repair.
Massive improvments in the outside play area are also ongoing – a protective canopy covers the area (Outside of the rainy season the sun in Arequipa is intense and has an extreme UV rating), Plans are for artifical turf in the area, as the ground becomes muddy and the area not useable during the rainy season.
Residents are caring for the flock of sheep IRID now has and once the pens are completed in a few months the Centre will have additional animals: cuy (guinea pigs), ducks, geese and pigs.
The Cuna Jardin, now has almost 100 children from two to five years. A health and safety inspection last November required some upgrades for safety including installing an alarm in case of an earthquake and emergency lighting in case power is cut. As well, new paint which hasn’t flaked in the heavy rains (a common problem in Arequipa, with many schools not able to open at the start of school year in March because of damage from rain).
In discussion with the Director she mentioned that there’s increased insecurityand crime in the area where many of the children’s famlies live.
IRID photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2025_04_04_irid_visit
Cuna Jardin photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2025_03_14_visit_cuna_jardin
At the Cuna Jardin with former prcticum student (2016)and current Board member Brandy Austin Berry and volunteer Marnie. Both were in Arequipa for a few weeks and visited the two agencies that SUPC supports theCuna Jardin and IRID.
Photos from the visit: https://pbase.com/…/2024_03_20_vistiit_cuna_jardin…
We visited IRID twice while in Arequipa, the first time in February – see the previous post – the second time in March with former practicum student and current Board member Brandy Berry and volunteer Marnie.
Photos from the visit with Brandy and Marnie. Work continues on the new building for older residents. Eight years since Brandy did her practicum here, so we had a full tour of the grounds and new buildings so she could see the changes. Both also arranged to volunteer at IRID during their time in Arequipa
Description under each photo.
Standing up for Peruvian Children (SUPC) >> 2024_03_25 Visit IRID with Brandy and Marnie
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.
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.