This could be considered the most important
page on this site.
Where we take the opportunity to say THANKYOU
to so many friends and people who have made some projects possible.
Their generosity and desire to assist the
Peruvian People to improve their circumstances especially for their children
has been very exciting and truly inspiring.
Today we celebrated the 5th
Hotel Marqueses Christmas Party for the Children.
The first was a great
success and through it began a project thanks to Dr Jose Quintana, manager
of the Hotel and all his colaborators, family and workers.
MARQUESES HOTEL Project
Moral and material
Support for Street Children.
BACKGROUND
Poverty is one of the main causes of mental health problems in our country.
Poverty drags many children from their homes and into the street, looking
for a means of survival for themselves and assistance for their families.
It’s in this context that the street has become a workplace for
many children. The majority shine shoes, others sell postcards and a
few, handicrafts.
These children are exposed to all the dangers of the streets. They interact
with glue sniffing addicts , juvenile delinquents and undesirable people.
Many of them end up abandoning their schooling, and then their families.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
Co-construct a meeting place for working children with the aim of providing
support and encouragement to remain in schooling and with their families.
PLAN OF ACTION
FIRST STAGE:Approach
We began our work in the street, approaching children and
initiating informally conversations with individuals and groups, with
the aim of learning about them, their needs and expectations. The aim
of this stage was to create bonds of friendship and trust.
SECOND STAGE: Sharing
This stage began with our weekly meetings, at first very
informal and simply consisting of having breakfast together, watching
television and later, creating a space for conversation.
These conversations helped us plan what we wanted to do together: football
fever naturally led us to form a soccer team, and the adventure began
with the purchase of a ball.
From that moment on HOTEL MARQUESES became a point of reference for
the children, and the Saturday meetings became something to look forward
to. Our times together begin with a shared breakfast, move on to the
park for football and other games, and end up at the swimming pool.
Sometimes when it rains on other days of the week, the
children come to the hotel looking for somewhere to shelter from the
rain. They always find a hot coffee and sometimes, an enjoyable conversation.
We think this stage will end with the celebration of Christmas. This
Saturday, December 10, we’ll participate in the Chirstmas celebrations
of the special (intellectally handicapped) children of the San Martín
de Porras Centre in Anta. Through their own initiative, each child will
give 2 soles to buy biscuits and sweets – sharing the little that
they have.
We are currently making ready for the Christmas celebration of the Working
Children, where we’ll share a lunch and presents with other child
workers. (Last year 60 children attended; this time we’re expecting
70).
THIRD STAGE: Vacation opportunities for Skill Developement
The aim is to develop skills and promote development
of creativity, but also provide academic reinforcement.
FOURTH STAGE:Formation of small-businesses
The objective is for children participating
in our project to form small-businesses, giving them an opportunity to
get off the street, have an income, remain in education and improve their
living conditions.
We’re currently working with some
families who offer laundry service at the hotel. The idea is to form
a small laundry business, which to start with can offer its services
to Hotel Marqueses, but later to other hotels too…….it’s
still a dream, but all great works start with a dream….
José Carlos Quintana M.
Manager
HOTEL MARQUESES
Calle Garcilaso 256 Cusco - PERU
Tel fax 257819 Tel
264249
The kids were so fortunate to have a fantastic group
of Canadians who trekked the Inca trail with us stay in Hotel Marqueses
and observe the Saturday morning breakfast.
On their return to Canada they decided
to hold a fund raiser to make a Special Christmas for the Kids.
They raised $1500 !!
Not only did they give the kids their Best
Christmas ever …
They have made the dreams of the Project a Reality.
Gracias, Thankyou so very much to John, Barbara, Jay,
Gael And all of the people below!
