March 2011 March 2011

March 2011 March 2011

Having just returned from Peru, we meet with Chris Palfreyman, to find out about his experiences, and how he felt being part of opening the first boys boarding house in Ccorca, Cusco.

What were the main reasons behind your recent travels to Peru?For me this was my first chance to see hands on the projects we are supporting. This was an invaluable experience, as meeting the children for the first time taught me more about our work than I could have ever imagined. It brought to life what we work towards and my passion for Amantani has grown an enormous amount.

Additionally we wanted to come back from this trip having sat down with the team in Peru to talk about Amantani’s vision and set targets for the years to come. We also had important meetings about the Eco Lodge Project and opening the boys boarding house.

How did you feel meeting the children ?Meeting the children for the first time truly stands out as one of the best moments in my life! Seeing how full of life they all were really puts into perspective my view on life. They may not get the education they want, or have stable financial situations but they are sure to put a smile on your face! This blew my mind…

Seeing all this motivates me a phenomenal amount to make sure we succeed in the UK as I now realize what the support in UK from all our supporters really means in Peru.

Had you always wanted to visit Peru?I spent a while in Chile and this ignited my love for South America. Inevitably working for Amantani has brought a love for Peru.

Trip to Peru

What was your day-­to-­day itinerary?We split our time between the boarding houses in Ccorca and the office in Cusco. During our time in Ccorca I spent time getting to know all the children, playing with them and getting to know the project inside out.

In Cusco we would have 8 hour meetings with the team of teachers out there, planning the timetable, plan the children’s menu, paint the boys house and plan Amantani’s overall vision.

Did it live up to your expectations?Fred (co-­director) had told me thousands of stories and what to expect. But no wise words would be enough to prepare me for what I experienced. My expectations were high, but the culture, friendliness, generosity and wisdom of the Peruvians I met was something else! So yes, Peru delivered!

If you were to name a funny and memorable event or situation on your travels what would it be?There were many, but I think ill pick the ‘drive’ to surrounding communities with a well respected photographer, Carlos. I put drive in speech marks as it soon turned into a walk. This was courtesy of our ‘experienced tour guide’, Mr Fred Branson, who managed to get the car completely stuck in the middle of nowhere. After two hours of unsuccessful digging we started the long walk back the Ccorca. Then came the thunder and lightning....

What was the most challenging aspect?The hardest part was hearing the desperate need that each boy had to be in the project, but only having 10 beds. After presenting this need to the local mayor and his team, they generously donated a building which now allows us to have 20 boys. Having 20 available beds now covers the urgent need for the boys! We are all delighted about this available space.

Hablas Español? How did you find communicating with the Peruvian and Quechua speaking communities? Si, por supuesto, y era muy importante durante el viaje! I haven’t learnt Quechua yet, but being able to speak a reasonable level of Spanish was incredibly useful. 8 hour meetings in a language you don’t understand could have been very tricky!

When you look back, what will be the most significant point you have taken home?Meeting the girls and boys has put a whole new perspective on life. These memories stick at the forefront of my mind!

If you can sum up your trip in two words what would it be?‘Tupananchis kama!’ – I will see you soon in Quechua

Has it changed you?I hope it has changed me for the best. Certainly many of the memories I have of this trip I will remember forever. I hope that you will get the chance to experience this yourself by visiting Amantani!...

Twenty Boys

The first encounter with the new boys was moving, tearful and complicated. The happy boys that you see with Chris (page 2) are the same boys that cry at the mention of their fathers or openly admit that

their mums don't love them. We sat down with them one by one and heard story after story of alcoholic and abusive family situations. At that time

there were ten beds for many more boys that wanted and needed one and we had some very tough decisions to make. It made us realise the

opportunity that a bed represents for these children and the value that it carries. This was only going to make our decisions and rejections

harder... That was until the following Monday when we heard the news from the new mayor that he wants to provide us with a new space in which

we can accommodate 10 more boys!! So we are over the moon.... As I write, the boys will be on their way to school. With the excitement of a

first night in the boarding school I am sure many of them will be running!

“I thought that Amantani just managed boarding schools but now I see that they are much more than that.”

The New Regional Government

A Director of Production

The appointment of a Director of Production makes our commitment to sustainability clear. Eliseo is a local man who’s currently studying agriculture at university. His

understanding of production and of the local market made our recruitment decision easy!

Over the next few years, as well as managing the school’s current enterprises, Eliseo’s role will be to research and develop new ventures, which will generate funds for the

projects but also create fantastic educational platforms for the children in our projects.

Eliseo will have 3 hours a week with the older girls, inviting them into the businesses, explaining to them what he has been doing and involving them in the decision-­making.

RISE TO ITWhen we sat down with the team in Peru and explained how a fundraising challenge works, they said, ‘well we can do that as well, the children love a good hike and it is a great way that they can raise money for themselves. It will be an exercise in self-­esteem, teamwork and determination.’ And so was born ‘Rise To It’, an opportunity for the children in the project to do something magnificent, whilst learning lots of lessons… maybe even teaching a few too! More details on the following page…

RISE TO IThelp us help ourselves...

On the 23rd June 2011, the 64 children in Amantani’s boarding houses will hike to the top of the mountain Mama Simona (5,200m), climbing over 1,600m!

They would like people here in the UK to sponsor their efforts, so that they can fill their school bags.

Each school bag costs £10 to fill.

This is an expression of these children’s self-­sufficiency.

If you admire this attitude and want to encourage it, you can sponsor them on their JustGiving page -­ www.justgiving.com/rise-­to-­it

£10 buys a textbook, an exercise book, pencils, a rubber, a ruler, crayons, scissors, wool & knitting needles.

.

Charity Reg. No. 1131489www.amantani.org.uk

fred@amantani.org.uk

If you are inspired by the children in Peru and you

want to help them, please sign up to one of our

events now! YOU can raise enough to keep a

child in the boarding school for a whole year...

Chasqui Challenge

Wasa Challenge

Come and carry the girls from Amantani’s boarding school to the summit of Ben Nevis. Don’t

worry, we won’t be !ying them over here, instead we would like you to carry their weight in sand!

Between yourself and another hiker you will carry the weight of a girl and in doing so, you will raise enough money

to keep her in the boarding school in Peru for a year!

Please see our website for more information about Amantani UK and the challenge...

www.amantani.org.uk

chris@amantani.org.uk

Charity Registration Number 1131489

The Apu ChallengeSaturday 6th August 2011

Amantani UK would like to take you on a challenge of a lifetime. This hike is a great

opportunity to discover the amazing Ben Nevis which dominates the West Highlands of

Scotland. So come and take on the 1,344 metres, raising £600 for Amantani UK!

If you are interested in joining us on this challenge, please get in touch:

chris@amantani.org.uk 07724 242 800

“It was so enjoyable and I can personally recommend the view from

the top of Ben Nevis!”

www.amantani.org.ukCharity Registration Number: 1131489

For the next 2 months, Amantani will have a team of 5 working in the UK!

This is thanks to The Vodafone Foundation who has awarded Amantani, not one, not two but three awards. We are not the only winners of these awards. Each award allows a lucky person to work for their chosen charity for 2 months while the Vodafone Foundation cover the costs.

Laura, Michelle and Wendy applied back in 2010 along with 11,000 other hopeful candidates. 500 awards were given, 3 of those to Amantani!

They started on March 14th and are already beginning to make their mark on our fundraising efforts…

Laura DugmoreTo follow what Laura has been up to, have a look at her blog:http://worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk/blogs/laura-­dugmore/“My name is Laura and I’m chuffed to bits to be a winner of Vodafone World of Difference UK. My role will be an interesting mix of marketing and fundraising and ultimately I hope to raise their profile in the UK to make sure the charity continues to be able to fundraise for these great projects!”

Michelle LevisTo follow what Michelle has been up to, have a look at her blog:http://worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk/blogs/michelle-­levi/“I am working to research and develop ways Amantani can connect with schools in the UK to raise funds and awareness. The aim is to create a package that is fun, educational and challenging and to reach as many schools as possible. “

Wendy TurnerTo follow what Wendy has been up to, have a look at her blog:http://worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk/blogs/wendy-­turner/“My task for the next two months is to prepare a photographic/multimedia exhibition in London next year. This will be a major fundraiser and a big thank you to all the Aman-­tani supporters.”

www.amantani.org.uk