Peru
In the autumn of 2019, one of our board members, travelling in Peru, first got in contact with the PUMA Ayni Foundation and was impressed by the work of Lisette Verkerk and Octavio Puma for underprivileged children and young people in Peru, especially in Urubamba (Cusco). The children they take care of are accommodated in their own house and intensively supported and coached by them. Unfortunately, there are not enough financial funds available for the education of these children.
We have decided to support the education of four motivated young people, Julio, Zoraida, Abel and Rosa Maria. They grew up at the home of their grandmother Mama Grande in Urubamba in order to be able to attend school. Since her death, her grandchildren have been living in extreme poverty. There is no money for food, clothing, health care and education. Lizette and Octavio have taken care of them.
In November 2022, Octavio and Lisette were in the Netherlands and we met them at a meeting of the Puma Ayni Foundation. After a beautiful traditional gratitude ritual by Octavio, they told us about the way they coach the children in their study and how they guide them to make the best choice of their studies and profession. We are very impressed by their careful and enthusiastic approach.
Raquela (2005) lived in a mountain village high in the Andes with her father and stepmother until she was 16 years old. It was a difficult time because the relationship with her stepmother was very negative.
After secondary school, she wanted to study, but the level of education in the mountain villages is so low that it is impossible for many young people to qualify for a study at a state school. The only option for them is to apply for a private institute.
In July 2023, Raquela started studying to become a nurse at the Antonio Lorena institute in Cusco. For the daily journey from Urubamba to Cusco, she has a job that doesn’t even earn enough for her travel expenses.
We started sponsoring Raquela’s studies in January 2024.
Raquela wants to become a nurse who will treat her patients with kindness and respect so that they will have confidence in medical care. We are happy to support her in this.
Abel (2002) has been living with Lizette and Octavio since the beginning of 2019. He is very interested in Peruvian history and the Inca culture. His greatest desire was to become a tourist guide.
During his 3-year training to become a tourist guide (Instituto Khipu), he regularly accompanied Octavio into the mountains to gain practical experience. As a part of his study, he wrote a short review of a trip to Machu Picchu: click here
In November 2023, Abel graduated with an interesting final presentation on lifestyles and beliefs in the Andes and the Amazon. The examination board was very enthusiastic about his presentation. and rewarded him with a great final score (A).
Abel is now an official tourist guide.
Julio (2005) has been living with Octavio and Lisette since the death of his grandmother, where he is lovingly supported and encouraged to study the best he can.
In January 2023 he enthusiastically started studying ´Systems Development´ at Instituto Khipu in Cusco with the help of StandUp4Talent. This study will take 2.5 years.
Rosa Maria (1998) started studying hotel management in Cusco in 2018. On 1 September 2022, she completed her studies with a presentation about the hotel where she did her final internship. She was awarded with a very high score by the examination committee and the hotel has offered her a job!
We congratulate her for this great result and wish her lots of success in continuing her career!
Zoraida (1997) has been living in Cusco since 2016 for her study in tourism at the Instituto Khipu. StandUp4Talent sponsored her to improve her English to the level required for her graduation project.
In April 2021, she graduated as Profesional Tecnico en Guia Oficial de Turismo. She can now officially call herself a guide and start putting her passion into practice.
