2010

In 2010 Comunidad will launch their bookmobile project.  Approximately 400 books were hand carried to Peru by the ArtAndes/Spirit of the Andes travelers. This is the start of the book trunk mobile project funded in memory of Wally Ebertz, a founder of Comunidad and a passionate reader!

Wilber Quispe and board member Kelli Fitzmorris are in the process of helping with the design of four traveling trunks that will be hand made and look like giant Ayacucho retablos. The trunks will rotate quarterly and they will be full of books to inspire reading by all!  We will continue to add new books so that the book mobile coming to town will continue to inspire and excite.

This is the first time a student will have an opportunity to check a book out and bring it home; a novel concept in the Andes. Our students often are the first literate generation in their families.  They will be able to read to their families aloud. 

 

In order to continue funding our programs we’ll host a second annual fundraising event in April 2010.  

 

2009

In 2009 Communidad provided education to 81 kindergarten students and provided 370 nutritious lunches per day.  The nutrition program is showing very positive results in terms of monitoring weight and performance improvements amongst our students.

Two high school teachers were hired by Comunidad at the start of the school year for the village of Corozon de Naupas, which is also where board member and teacher, Pam Hoff taught geography for three weeks in July 2009.  This was the students first hands-on lesson and a great cultural exchange opportunity for all.

Much of what we accomplished in 2009 was made possible by proceeds from our first very successful fundraising event held at the ArtAndes studio in Northeast Minneapolis on April 25, 2009.  We plan to make this an annual affair.

September 2008 Update

In July, 2008 board members Don Ball (click here for Don's unique perspective on this visit), Pam Hoff and Humberto Valdivia visited the five schools supported by Comunidad. Four of the schools are preschool programs. The original preschool is in Paccha, and the three others are in nearby communities. We also currently support a high school science teacher in the furthest community from Paccha. In the past we have supported high school teachers in Paccha, and stand committed to keeping the high school program there running to its maximum potential.

The visit was two fold – to see how we have been successful thus far, and to see what else is needed. We can all be congratulated that our former preschool, now primary school children in Paccha, outperform students that have not attended preschool with us. It is too early for similar data in the other three villages. We also determined that supplies were needed in most of the classrooms as well as breakfast for one village entirely (80 students), plus a breakfast supplement in another village. That means we will provide nutritional support in 3 of the 4 villages. Good job donors!

February 2008 Update

Paula Chuchvara and her family are one of the many actively involved Comunidad Foundation donors.  They recently held an extremely successful fundraising campaign in conjunction with their church in Webster City, Iowa, and just paid a personal visit to the community of Paccha, Peru, the week of February 10th.  The foundation is extremely grateful for the Chuchvara support and the insightful perspective gained from their personal visit.  Click here for Paula’s firsthand account of this recent visit.

2007

Comunidad paid the salaries of 3.5 teachers, while the government continued its support as well. Enrollment has grown to 170 students. The foundation also started the breakfast and scholarship programs (see current projects).

2006

Comunidad paid the salaries of 3.5 teachers, while the government contributed the salaries of 3 teachers and an administrator. We have met and observed these teachers in action, and they are extremely dedicated and devoted.

2005

The foundation continued to support the ongoing education needs of the secondary school in Paccha, paying the salaries of 5 teachers. This school year saw more support from the local government as well. After 3 years and the eagerness of 150 students to learn, the Department of Ayacucho began contributing toward teachers’ salaries.

2004

In December 2004, Paccha’s secondary school graduated its first senior class. Among those first graduates was the mayor of the town, who at age 38 had never had the opportunity to attend school beyond the sixth grade. In 2004, we supported 150 students by paying the salaries of five full-time teachers.

2003

In its second year, the enrollment of Paccha’s secondary school, and the enthusiasm of the community, continued to grow beyond anyone’s expectations. The foundation funded three full-time teachers and supplies during this school year.

2002

The first year of Paccha’s secondary school, with 60 students and two full-time teachers, fully funded and supplied by Comunidad. Prior to the school’s creation, education beyond the sixth grade was only available to those willing to walk 2 hours one way or those families who could afford to send their children away to live with relatives in Lima or Ayachucho. In reality, most kids went immediately to work in the fields and start families.

2001

At the request of town residents, Comunidad donated a diesel-powered grain mill to Paccha. For a people that devoted most of its energies to daily survival, the mill offered a way to get to the next stage. Instead of spending hours milling grain by hand, they could now have it milled in town. They can also have some of it milled for sale at the market. This one machine represents hours of time and energy that can now be devoted to endeavors such as education, entrepreneurship and community improvements.

2000

In 2000, we first visited Paccha and learned of the devastation wrought by the Shining Path’s war with the government of Peru (read “A Durable Weave”). We began to brainstorm and discuss with the villagers what we could do to help them. From day one, we have made sure that the residents have had complete involvement and final say in the projects we have worked on with them.

 

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If you wish to donate by check please send it to:

Comunidad
PO Box 40596
St. Paul, MN 55104
EIN# 76-0727177