Newsletter

What struck me most on our visit to Peru earlier in the year was just how much has been achieved, with a relatively small amount of money, since Wawa was established. The work that has been carried out and the encouragement provided really have made a noticeable difference to all the communities. Three of the schools are doing particularly well and their pupils are thriving. Parents, staff and pupils are delighted to be working in partnership with Wawa. There is still much to be done: emphasis will be on the pre-schools and improved nutrition - both areas that have been highlighted by all the communities as needing support.

Two new volunteers accompanied us Jane and Jerry Hollands. Here is their report:

Mily and Julio are absolute treasures and do so much for these schools. On our first meeting they invited us into their home, for a meal and discussion and even some dance and music. Julio talked about the work he did at the university as a structural engineering professor, yet he still helps with the school buildings to try and make them as safe as possible in this seismic region. We think his input must be invaluable.

We set off by taxi to visit the first school, in Conchacalle, travelling for nearly an hour on really rough tracks to a lovely mountain village with stupendous views, looking down on aeroplanes flying in and out of Cusco airport. The school is painted a cheerful yellow and orange and, with Wawa?s support, is well maintained. There was a new kitchen and adobe oven, which they use all the time. The large classroom is used for village as well as school functions and the new toilet facilities looked very impressive. The infants had the best classroom of all, at the top of the hill, with windows overlooking the most stunning scenery. The head teacher, Odillon, had organized the children to be there as a welcoming party, even though it was their holiday time and they sang us a song specially written for the occasion. Some played instruments: guitars, recorders and percussion, purchased with the money raised at the Musicathon held in Bridport in 2010, and the others sang. An official thanks was given to WAWA and all their supporters. Then we gave the children mangoes, which they diligently washed and then avidly ate, the juice running down their chins.

It is very rewarding to see money so well spent with no waste on administration. After a meal, of guinea pig, we took some photos of their successful scholarship students, six this year. In addition to all the equipment needed for education, Wawa had provided sewing machines and a knitting machine and teachers are brought in to teach these specialist skills.

The next day we visited another school, Huacoto, and picked up the head teacher en route. This road was even worse than the last one with ruts, potholes and gravel, more like a riverbed than a road! The head, Senor Paz, is fairly new although not young, and lacks enthusiasm for the post of head in a challenging and difficult environment. He had forgotten to bring the key. There were simple maintenance jobs, which just needed to be organized. The school looked as if it has the same potential for improvement as Conchacalle but the two head teachers were very different. The children were not there but, after calling out loudly, some came and seemed just as keen and friendly.

The last school we visited was Puscapampa on the outskirts of San Jeronimo, where they had just finished building a dining room and a kitchen. All looked very impressive. This school had lots of grounds but no dry or paved area for play. There was play equipment and a recently improved classroom but no wall around the property, so security is a problem. The head, Martina, and her very supportive husband, were there to show us the improvements and the children had rehearsed a speech. One of the young girls gave us all a pink rose. The children really enjoyed their washed mangoes. Martina seemed very grateful to Wawa, and it was easy to see that the school was flourishing in her hands. Pupil numbers had increased dramatically since she became head and with bigger numbers come more teachers. It will be interesting to see next year how many of her goals she achieves and, with the help of Wawa, she should manage quite a few.

We also visited the medical centre, which Mily's mother, Luisa, had helped to establish in her time as Mayor in San Jeronimo. It was quite impressive. They don't have GP's but six resident 24hr cover doctors. They also care for the outlying villages and a nurse visits monthly. There is a vaccination programme for all these children. In the corridors and waiting areas of the medical centre were several lovely benches with WAWA written on them as they were donated last year, using local labour, providing local jobs. Mily visits all the five schools Wawa supports, and the medical centre, on a regular basis.

Our time in Peru was amazing, combining touring to see the obvious sights with visiting these schools. It made the whole trip much more worthwhile and it was great to see this charity at work and see just how much has been done in the few years since it began. We have returned full of vigour and enthusiasm for fundraising for these projects where you can really see how much is being done to help these children who would have otherwise had nothing."

Fund raising is our priority so if anyone has any ideas or suggestions PLEASE do get in touch. The following events are being organised, please, if you can, do come along.

Sat 16 April Coffee morning and stalls, St Mary's Church Hall, Bridport, 9.30-1pm.

Sat 23 April Coffee morning and stalls, Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester, 9.30-1pm.

14&15 May Art Exhibition & Open Gardens, Milton Mill, West Milton, Nr.Bridport, 10.00am-4pm

Thanks to our kind donors, a staggering Ł10,000 was raised during 2010. Trustees have approved a list of projects for 2011 and this can be seen on our website www.wawa.org.uk.

I have to finish by saying a heartfelt thank you to all who support Wawa; your donations do make a positive difference and are very much appreciated by all who benefit from Wawa. THANK YOU.

Wawa.charity@tiscali.co.uk

Build a simple room for the watchman- we demolished original for the dining room

Provide 4/5 minor pieces of equipment used by children & families – approx. $250