Donation of Educational and Sports Supplies to Schools Near Arequipa

June, 2009

Our volunteers visited four public schools in the districts of Characato and Mollebaya, near Arequipa. These schools, which instruct children younger than 12 years of age, suffer from a lack of government funding.

First we visited the San Juan Bautista primary school in Characato, where we presented the students with art supplies including construction paper, markers, paint, crayons, and chalk. Our next stop was the "Maria de la Esperanza" school for developmentally challenged students. This small school has several students with various mental disabilities. Because of the students' conditions, the school receives even less funding than other public schools. The school's director and pupils enthusiastically received our donation of art supplies and soccer balls.

Finally, we traveled to the village of Virgen de Chapi where two preschools share a small space in a dilapidated building near the dusty main street. The "Early Stimulation Service" preschool is for toddlers aged 1-3 years, while the "PRONOI" preschool instructs older children (aged 3-5). After sharing our donation of art supplies and colorful 1, our volunteers spent some time playing and laughing with these delightful children.