I am fundraising for the poor people in Huaraz, Peru who can not afford a nutritious meal and sometimes not even a meal at all. Click here to go directly to the donations page.
Twelve years ago, I worked as a volunteer in a canteen (or big kitchen and dining place) run by nuns and a Dutch Non-Profit Organization. Around noon, poor children & adults could come over to receive a nutritious lunch. For some of them, it was the only meal of the day. It was very sad at times…
Last November, I went back with my sister-in-law, Marijke. We learned that due to the pandemic, the situation of many of the local people had worsened a lot. The Dutch Non-Profit Organization left Peru and the nuns were on their own.
For a long time during COVID, the canteen was closed. But at some point, the people could come to get “take-out”. There was hardly any money to feed all the poor people, so meals consisted mostly of soup made from some sort of flour with a few carrots and rice with 5 more little pieces of carrots and potatoes. Only every now and then there was money to add a little bit of chicken or fish.
In November it wasn’t much better yet. The nuns struggled to feed the people a proper meal. So Marijke and I decided to raise money to help the nuns. We did and the nuns were able to feed the children, mothers, and seniors a little more chicken and vegetables.
But that money is gone now. So “nutritious” meals could not be provided anymore.
Most of the time, I try not to think about it. And then I feel pretty good about myself. But more and more often I find it ridiculous that I am not trying anything to collect some money to help the nuns and the people in Huaraz. How easy is it to do nothing and how easy is it to do something? And I have so many friends, acquaintances (and people that don’t like me…) who are better off than those people in Huaraz and would love to donate some of their money to this fundraiser.
So, I’m in contact with Femke. She is Dutch and has been to Peru many times to work with the nuns and the children in the orphanage (that’s also run by the nuns). She founded her Non-Profit Organization “Stichting Mariposa” and she consistently helps the nuns in Huaraz, but also nuns in Lima. Femke’s Non-Profit does way more than only provide decent meals. Go to www.stichtingmariposaperu.nl to learn more (if you can read Dutch….:)).
The donations I raise will go only to the nuns and their canteen in Huaraz because that place is very close to my heart, I know them personally, and I promised to try to help them.
Only if we raise muy mucho/heel veel/lots&lots of money, I will discuss with Femke which other projects would be good to contribute to. So, please donate overwhelmingly! 🙂
My goal is to raise 5000,- USD or Euros, which is about the same at this time.
I have no clue what I can expect, but I do know that the nuns would be very happy with $500,- already. And me too! So every dollar or euro is welcome.
Femke’s Foundation Mariposa has the ANBI status, which means there can be tax benefits if you donate directly to the Foundation. Please contact me directly if you prefer to do that, so I can give you Femke’s contact details.
I truly hope we can transfer a great amount of $$€€ to Huaraz!
Thank you in advance!
Best, Dinette
