Peru Childrens Project

"Quest4Change aims to improve the lives of children affected by poverty, crime and drug abuse by the provision of sporting and recreational facilities and activities"

This was Quest4Change's first project and we have been working in Villa Maria, Peru for 14years now. Our projects help the children of this, one of the world's largest shanty towns, escape and avoid the prevalent drugs culture.

What's the problem?

Poverty, crime and drugs. The children of Villa Maria live below the poverty line in shacks often with no running water, sanitation or electricity. Their parents work long hours and they are often left alone to wander the streets, frequently ending up in trouble with the law.

Watch Jon's introduction to Villa Maria and the problems it faces:

How Quest4Change helps

We provide a program of cultural and recreational activities for 100s of children in their summer holidays with volunteer support. Our educational support initiative advocates bond building within communities whilst helping to prevent the children from becoming victims of poverty and drug abuse. We also have a newer construction project, over the last 3 years Quest4Change volunteers have constructed 25 houses for some of the poorest families in the community, this has been made possible by the support from Katie Ashbridge's family, friends and colleagues at Watson Wyatt.

“If I could go back and do the whole thing again I don’t think I would change a single part. It was exhausting but totally worth it”

Victoria Spence, Volunteer Villa Maria 2009

Latest News:

FROM THE PROJECT

With a generous donations from the Allen & Nesta Ferguson Trust and the the Evan Cornish Foundation, we have been able to make great strides in our continued expansion of the Quest Primary School. To date, we've been able to complete the majority of work on an extended first and second storey - completing a communal assembly space, four new wooden classrooms with sound proofing & in sulation, plu the necessary sanitation facilities.

But the work's not finished yet... Find out more about the school expansion here.

IN THE UK

In addition to the very generous grants, we have had some other brilliant fundraising happening recently. Ex-volunteer Chantel Owen and her father Harry rode from London to Paris on a sponsored bike ride from London to Paris, raising an amazing £6,000! With this, we will be able to furnish the new classrooms.

Not to mention donations at Penny Ashbridge's 60^th - thank you to Mr & Mrs Hadley, Dr & Mrs Lewis and Mrs Healey - a teddy bear raffle at Peter Hickman's Hairdressers in Tewkesbury, and a quiz night at the Bredon Hill Surgery in Tewkesbury - many thanks! Local legend Danilo got things off to a great start with his weight loss fundraiser. Watson Wyatt raised a fantastic £3,379 at their Salsa night, the raffle was a real highlight and funds raised will go towards supporting some of the poorest families - over 12 new homes! To the right you can see some of the families who have benefited from this fantastic support.

Achievements

How you can help

Volunteer

Be a Secret Millionaire for this project, don't worry, you don't have to be an actual millionaire to help out!

Just £30 pays for 100 children from the shanty town of Villa Maria Peru to go swimming.

Why swimming?

The children of Villa Maria live below the poverty line in one of the largest shanty towns in South America with no running water, sanitation or electricity. Their parents work long hours and they are often left alone to wander the streets, frequently ending up in trouble with the law. A day of swimming gives these disadvantaged children the opportunity to have a rare day of just fun.

Your gift lets kids be kids for a day.

You will receive a personalised gift card thanking you for your support and regular e-mails throughout the year letting you know what is being achieved with your help. If it's a gift this can be personalised and sent directly to the recipient.

Contact Rose to find out more about how you can help.