Thanks to all who bought tickets for our Peruvian brunch, despite restriction it was a great success. As always thanks to our wonderful Chef Carla Tamayo Aragon, her two helpers Violet and Taty. Also thanks to Board members Brandy, Carmen, Aisha and volunteers Hope and Tracy. We couldn’t have managed without all your work. Thanks also to the Cromdale Parkdale Community League and Susan and Michael who helped make it all happen.
Photos here:
We are holding a pre-pay and pick up Peruvian Brunch on Sunday June 13th at Cromdale/Parkdale Community League Hall. Pick up between 11:00 and 2:00, all health regulations will be followed.
Buy tickets or make a donation. Thanks for all your support!
We were able to visit IRID, but because of Covid we didn’t interact with the residents, we toured the garden and animal area. IRID is becoming more food self-sufficient, growing a large variety of vegetables and also has more animals including hens for laying eggs but also sheep and rabbits which will eventually be used for food and once they’ve completed building a pig pen will also have pigs. They are composting waste material and using it to grow plants. During last year, it has been robbed three times – thieves took building material and also some of the outdoor equipment used by the children. The front of the premise is secure but the back area where the garden and animals are housed is open to surrounding fields. There’s now a camera security system and also “guard geese” as efficient as dogs at announcing intruders.
Link to pictures here:
https://pbase.com/tracyk/2021_03_02_irid_visit
Under the Covid-19 restrictions we held a scaled back Latin Music Night and silent auction at LAaCite Francophone. Thanks as always to musicians who volunteered to perform: Senor Vargas Project, Marco Claveria and Mariachi Mundo. Thanks as well to the volunteers, board members and those that bought tickets.
Pictures from the evening here:
https://pbase.com/tracyk/2020_10_04_latin_music_night_at_la_cite_fracophone
Our Latin Music Night & silent auction fundraiser this year is from 5:00 to 7:00 October 3rd at La Cite Francophone. It features Marco Claveria, Señora Vargas Project, and Mariachi Mundo.
BUY TICKETS – this will be a social distancing conscious event.
If you are not comfortable coming out please consider making a donation.
A lot has changed since the last post: COVID-19 virus has hit Peru hard and is having a profound impact on the agencies and families SUPC supports in Arequipa even though Peru implemented strict safety protocols on March 15th.
Many Peruvians could not comply with either the social distancing requirement nor the one to remain isolated at home. Families living in extreme poverty did not have the ability to buy and store food in bulk. Most live in a small one room house with no running water, electricity or indoor toilet. https://pbase.com/tracyk/image/168877924
SUPC will continue to provide financial support to both IRID and the Cuna Jardin Corozon de Jesus although Ww will not be holding our fundraising Peruvian dinner this year. A decision on whether to hold the Latin Music Night in October depends on health guidelines and whether there’s a second outbreak of the virus. We are accepting donations through PayPal at: http://supcsociety.com/wordpress/donate/
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. Both also have helped with the fundraising events. 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.
With the Director of the Cuna Jardin, Marianela Amelia Fuentes Bustinza we visited several of the homes of the children; link to photos from the visits:
https://pbase.com/tracyk/2019_02_14_cuna_jardin_home_visits
We also visited IRID once again, the Director Dra. Mary Luz Barreda presented me (as Chair of SUPC) with a certificate of appreciation.
On our recent visit to the Instituto de rehabilitacion Integral para Discapacitados (IRID) we noticed some wonderful changes. However, like in Canada there’s funds for buildings, but not for ongoing expenses. Click each photo for detailed description.
https://pbase.com/tracyk/2019_01_21_irid_visit
Photo 9423 shows me, as Chair of SUPC, with a certificate of appreciation from the Director of IRID.
Our recent visit to the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus. Descriptions on each photo.
https://pbase.com/tracyk/2019_01_25_cuna_jardin_visit