Help Us To Help

Who are we? We are a group of friends from Calca (Cusco Region, Peru) who want to help those struggling in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. What do we want? Our aim is to raise money to buy food and essential supplies, which we will distribute to those in desperate need in Calca and the surrounding communities. Why is this necessary? On March 15th Peru declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, quickly followed by a nationwide lockdown, which is due to run until June 30th. The strict lockdown measures have prevented many people from being able to work since the beginning of March (some four months). The government provides no assistance and as many are casual workers they receive no support from their employers. Many in Calca and in the surrounding communities already lived on a day-to-day, hand-to mouth basis, with no savings to fall back on. The pandemic has been financially devastating for them. Without employment they have absolutely no way to generate income to buy food and other life essentials. What have we already achieved? We have already supplied around 80 sacks of food to those most in need. Two villages that we have helped are Mendozayoy and Juy Huay. These villages are incredibly remote - from Calca, a 4.5 hour drive brings you to the end of the road, where you must walk for a further hour to reach the villages. They have no electricity or running water and rely on agriculture for income. COVID-19 has meant a decline in business and therefore income. An example of the sacks contents: - 5KG rice - 4KG sugar - 3 bags pasta - 2 bags avena quaker oats - 1 bag salt - 1 bag habas powder - 1 packet of crackers - 1 bottle cooking oil - 1 tube toothpaste - 1 bar soap For small children we also provide toothbrushes and anti-anaemia biscuits. How can you help? COVID-19 has affected us all, but some much more than others. We are reaching out to our friends around the globe, asking you to help us assist those who need it most. Any donation you are able to give, no matter how small, will go towards providing food and other essentials. Donations in £/$/€ stretch a lot further here in Peru!