You can read a bit about my trip below, but since then, one of the homes we visited has been destroyed by floods. It needs to be completely rebuilt. Go to the Vine Trust site to see video of the damage. It's even more heartbreaking when you've been there and seen them all so happy. Thank goodness none of them were at the home at the time and so no-one was hurt. (Jan 2010)
Hi folks, maybe this is a bit different because I've already done my bit. During a couple of weeks in October 2009 I went to Peru with the Vine Trust. This came about because I am a member of Girlguiding Stewartry and as some of you will know we have just entered the centenary year of Girlguiding. We've all been challenged to do something to improve the lives of others. One of our members has a contact with the Vine Trust and we sent some stationery out to Peru a couple of years ago so it seemed a natural follow on to go and see for ourselves. We had a brilliant but very tiring two weeks. Six of us from Girlguiding Stewartry went with three friends and joined some others from various walks of life. While at Kusi we stripped bamboo to use as a waterproof lining on the roof of a building before tiles were added. The roof was non existant when we started on the Monday morning but by Friday the local builders were well through tiling it. The men in our group did heavy back breaking work loading stones into barrows and transporting/emptying them to make the floor of the building and the patio. It was such rewarding work to see the progress each day. We also had a trip to Macchu Picchu - some of the group did the four day Inca Trail to get there too. The highlight though was to see the difference made to the children. They have had such a rotten life until they get to the homes but once there they are so happy. Can you imagine over 40 boys and not a fight or a cross word all week! The relationship between those children and their carers and the dedication of the carers was unbelievable. We also visited a school for the deaf which the Vine Trust supports in partnership with Scripture Union, Peru. The children there said the thing they liked to do most was ....... to go to school. It is the only chance they have of a proper conversation. The difficulties they have to endure to get an education and the dedication of their teachers is just amazing.
So, I've already been and worked there but the plan is to carry on caring for these children and to open more homes to get other children off the streets. It all takes money and anything you feel you can give would be very much appreciated and who knows, with a bit of encourangement, I might well go back again.
We also visited a home in the Sacred Valley and this has just been in the news (Jan/Feb 2010) because flooding has caused extensive damage to the home and to 3000 others in the area. It has also washed out the railway link to Macchu Picchu. Luckily none of the boys or the carers was at the home at the time otherwise it could have been a real disaster. Repairing the property will be an expensive job so any help you can give would be so, so appreciated.
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