Inflation caused by the current global crisis is hitting the poorest disproportionally. Cost increases in basic food supplies are very challenging when you live on a few soles per day. Therefore, monitoring the food situation in the communities remains important and occasionally, we bring non-perishable food to a local “olla comun” (community kitchen). This usually […]
Water creates many new opportunities
The installation of water reservoirs and fog catchers is enabling a few other interesting projects. As an immediate first step, we have built a sanitary block with 2 individual showers and toilets. Although this feels basic to all of us, this is a luxury for families living in the poorest areas. Many children have never […]
“Everybody wins” – The poverty cycle
(Extract from the book “Everybody wins”, by Bart Cools and Bruno Rouffaer) Living in extreme poverty means not being able to afford a doctor or medical treatment. It means no electricity, limited shelter, and often little to no food on the table. For young children, inadequate nutrition leads to growth retardation with lasting effects on […]
Education is the key to a better future
In Peru, the school year runs from March until December. Although school enrollment is mandatory in Peru, attending school can be a challenge for children from the poorest families. They often live far away from the nearest school (without any means of transportation to get there), they need to take care of their siblings or […]
Safe access to the community
Picture yourself driving on an unpaved, sandy road, with rocks on one side and a deadly ravine on the other, with no space to cross a car coming from the opposite direction. Now add thick fog, preventing you from seeing more than a few meters in front of you. That is the reality many communities […]
“Everybody wins” – What is your lens?
(Extract from the book “Everybody wins”, by Bart Cools and Bruno Rouffaer) Through the lens of someone living in a “rich” country, the perception of life for people living in extreme poverty is usually distorted. Low-income countries are much more developed than most people think. And far fewer people live there than most of us […]
Catching water from the fog
Great news! We were able to complete our “fog catchers”-project: 10 Large fog catchers are now connected to 3 big water tanks of 15 cubic meters each, and a water distribution system that makes water available to all resident families in 2 remote communities! The locals have been working very hard to achieve this important […]
Promoting the health and well-being of girls engaged in child domestic labor
We are financing a series of 12 workshops “Promoting the health and well-being of girls in a situation of domestic child labor” for 30 girls in Lima. The objective is to contribute to the overall well-being of girls in domestic child labor while providing access to their rights as girls through improved physical, recreational, and […]
Visit of the Belgian ambassador
During the month of April, we were honored by the visit of Mr. Van de Vreken, the Belgian ambassador in Peru. Together with his team, he brought medicine and food for the most vulnerable children and spent time with the parents to learn about their hopes and challenges. He learned about the reality in which […]
Inauguration of water reservoirs
On February 19, we have inaugurated 3 newly built water reservoirs and a pipe, tap and pump system allowing for the water to be distributed to the different homes of the community. Each reservoir has a capacity of 15,000 liters. The project will be completed later this year with the installation of several “fog catchers” […]
“Everybody wins” – Foreword by Herman Van Rompuy
(Extract from the book “Everybody wins”, by Bart Cools and Bruno Rouffaer) In 2014, we were in Peru on a private trip, during which we visited some development projects for potato farmers 3000 meters high in the Andes, close to Andahuaylas. We never received so many gifts as from those poor people. This came to […]