Volunteering in Cusco
Teams from Loki today, visited a number of sites in Cusco, Sacred Valley and some of the surrounding communities to ascertain, what help and aid we are able to offer. We have 2 great projects that we intend to support over the coming weeks, where we can make a real difference to the lives of those who have lost their homes and livelihoods
Azul Wasi - a home for street kids
The Azul Wasi home is located just outside Cusco, in Oropesa. Oropesa was in one of the worst hit areas for the flooding when the river burst it's banks - it's just next to Lucre which was completely submerged. You can see photos on their website:
www.laffcharity.org.uk and www.justgiving.com/
The kids of the home have now been evacuated and are safe in Cusco. But we need to save the home, and the animals that the home rely on to be self-sustaining. We really need your help, and that of as many others as possible. We have materials, and money but we don't have manpower to build a flood dam and dig ditches to divert water away from the kids home.
We will be co-ordinating groups of people going out to help create a flood barrier for the home over the coming weeks.
Paca Vilcanota- Urubamba Residents Association
Last week found a group of locals, working on the banks of the river in Urubamba, on a site that was once their homes. Whilst the water levels have dropped and the land is starting to dry, what is left is a wreckage of rubble and debris. The locals have formed an association and are working hard to salvage all possible materials from the rubble including wood, nails, tiles, rocks, windows, doors and roofing in the hope that they can clear the land and eventually rebuild their homes.They are all currently living in temporary shelters and tents.
Yesterday we went out again to the community with 12 volunteers to take 20 sacks of cloths, blankets and food and also spent the afternoon working on the site. The appreciation and gratitude we recieved the community was overwhelming, and we will continue to support them as long as we have people who are willing and able to come and volunteer with us. There is a mammoth piece of work to do with very little equipment or supplies, so we have offered our help both in terms of man power and purchasing of basic tools, materials and clothing to help them with the task at hand.
If these projects are something you are interested in supporting, we are co-ordinating volunteers to help daily from Friday 5th February.
If you need more information on these topics or any other Cusco related issues, just drop us a line and we will do our best to keep you informed with the most up to date information