SKIP “Supporting kids in Peru” is a UK registered Charity active in Peru since 2003. Its mission is to help economically-disadvantaged children in El Porvenir to realize their right to an education. We promote quality education and foster the capacity of children and families to be the principal agents of change in their own lives. SKIP works in partnership with families through holistic programs focusing on the educational, economic, emotional and social development of each child and family.

SKIP works in the impoverished communities surrounding Trujillo, Peru’s second largest city. Here, families have migrated from the surrounding countryside, lured by the opportunities of life in a bigger city. However, the reality is that formal paid work is still scarce and thousands of families live in makeshift homes, crafted from scavenged materials, without any basic services. These families find it impossible to afford the marginal costs of sending their children to school, and they can afford to do so only with the help of others. SKIP checks on the social and financial need through constant and thorough social work and support. In this way, SKIP provides a social safety net that doesn’t exist in Peru.

As part of its community service program, SKIP has set up a Summer Camp Program for teenagers aged 12 to 17 to further their educational and cultural development to provide them with better prospects upon leaving school.

Over the Peruvian Summer 2009, the teenagers will have the opportunity to participate in workshops such as : surfing, swimming, career opportunities, video club centring on cultural differences...

In order to carry out these workshops we are currently looking for donations which will be used mainly for :

* Swimming lessons : the teenagers will be taught three times a week by experienced police officers who have volunteered their time. This a huge opportunity for the teenagers as the majority of the population in El Porvenir cannot swim, despite El Porvenir being situated within close proximity to the coast.

The expenses for a 10 week program will include :

* £18 or 19 EUROS per week for the maintenance of the pool ( 80 soles )
* £53 or 56 EUROS per week  to transport 40 kids 3 times a week (240 soles)
* £ 26 or 28 EUROS per week for snacks for 40 kids after the lesson

The total expenses for this 10 week program will be : £ 970 or  1030 EUROS.

*Surfing lessons already take place once a week with experienced teachers who are financing the program. So far only a few students have been able to avail of this opportunity and we feel that by teaching others to swim, then they too can avail of surfing lessons.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Remember, any amount, no matter how small can make a big difference.
So please sponsor us now !
Thank you for you support !

Josh and Libby

For more information, please visit SKIP´s website www.skipperu.org or contact Libby (libbygunning@yahoo.co.uk) or Josh (josh_allsup@hotmail.com)

FYI : Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Supporting Kids In Peru (SKIP) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.