News

Fall Update

July 29, 2008 by David Goodman

Great news from Huachipa!

The paint is dry, the windows are installed, and the doors are now open at the new library in Colegio Alto Peru. After several months of setbacks and delays, negotiations with Telefónica, school meetings, and two earthquakes, the library is ready for the kids. Thus far, SOLAC has been able to raise several thousand dollars for the kids in Huachipa, not to mention innumerable in-kind donations. Though we have said this many times before, we at SOLAC cannot thank you enough for the generous contribution and well-wishes we have received throughout the undertaking of this project.

Now that the construction is done, we are continuing on into the implementation phase. We will be stocking the building with books, furniture, and school supplies in the upcoming months. But first... a Christmas party! There will be small gifts, panetón (delicious sweet-bread), and something resembling a clown. This promises to be a lot of fun, and photos are forthcoming.

Now that December has rolled around, it is time to start looking towards another summer volunteer program in 2008. This past year's group of volunteers from colleges around the USA and England had an incredible impact on the children and community in Huachipa. The volunteers conducted tutoring sessions in math and Spanish, led an art group for the youngest students, took the children on field trips to museums, and cooked a healthy lunch 3 times each week. June is still 7 months away, but we want to begin spreading the word about Asociación SOLAC and the community of Huachipa. If you or anyone you know is interested in coming down to Peru between June and August, please contact Mike Quinzio. Starting in January, we will begin formal recruiting.