July Update

Friends,

We are happy to report that the Colegio Alto Peru library construction is in full swing. What we thought would be a relatively simple roof installation turned into a huge renovation when we found out the government recently created new regulations for school building. After months of haggling with engineers, attending meetings, getting price estimates for materials, we are now close to completing construction. We have teamed up with Telefónica, a Spanish telecommunications firm, to provide the library with a multi-media center. They agreed to cover the costs of making a computer lab, fully equipped with machines and internet. This is a tremendous opportunity for a community where a great number of homes still lack running water and electricity.

Our after-school lunch and tutoring program is making a lot of progress with the children. We are working directly with the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students on mathematics and reading comprehension. As many of the students are far, some severely, behind the national averages in these subjects, this is an especially important and rewarding part of our work. Our volunteers are doing an amazing job bonding with the children and reinforcing these essential skills. We had the additional opportunity to take our students, with some younger ones too, to the Peruvian Naval Museum in Callao (northwest of Lima), an hour-long bus ride to the ocean. Several of the kids had never been to the ocean, so needless to say it was an exciting day from start to finish.

Through our connections at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and the University of Virginia, we received a donation of painting materials for the school playground. The playground itself was second hand, donated last year and in serious need of a new paint job. Thirty-five exchange students from UVA came out in force to help out, knocking out half of the work in a single day. Though the playground is small, it lies just across the stream from where many of the children work. Painting it is an important symbol for the school and community.

In addition to our work at the school, SOLAC is part of the “Lucha Conta Racismo” (Fight Against Racism), a consortium of NGOs confronting Peru’s complicated racial dynamics and relations, which date back to Spanish Colonization. After several protests and petitions, we had our first major victory in Lima with the temporary closing of a club that is notorious for discriminating against darker-skinned people. It is a huge step in the right direction and even got the attention of the international press. Here is what our friend from the BBC had to say: ‘Racist’ Lima Restaurant Closed

Over the next few weeks we will continue to work with our volunteers on the after school tutoring and we eagerly await the completion of the library and media center. As always, please contact us with any questions, suggestions, or well-wishes. We would love to hear from you.

Best,

Michael Quinzio
David Goodman
Jose Luis Incio