Free education for 60 deprived children in Peru

HELLO FROM OROPESA!

In our last newsletter we told you about some staff changes at Picaflor House and, this time, we are pleased to tell you about two more new members of staff. In addition,

 
MORE NEW STAFF

You may remember us telling you that we would soon be recruiting a new reading and writing (literacy) teacher? In May, teacher Julia joined the Picaflor House staff as the new literacy teacher. Having taught for many years in primary schools in Cusco and nearby villages, Julia’s patience and experience is certainly evident in the classroom and the children enjoy their regular literacy classes. Julia has also been reporting that several of the younger children have improved their reading and writing skills and are now moving on to work on their reading comprehension skills.

We also have a new face in the kindergarten as teacher Norma also joined the ranks shortly after are last report. Hailing from Puno, a region south-east of Cusco, Norma has lived in Oropesa for the last few years with her two sons, who also attend Picaflor House. Having worked for years as a classroom assistant in a kindergarten setting, Norma is bringing her creativity and enthusiasm for working with the little ones to Picaflor House.

A VISIT FROM THE UK

This month, Picaflor House has enjoyed a visit from Pipers Corner School (UK). Having visited Picaflor House before, 11 pupils and two teachers from the school are in town for two weeks, visiting nearby Machu Picchu and volunteering for eight days with our staff and students.

The Pipers students have organised classes including dance, English, art and sports and kindergarten activities, and the Picaflor House children have thoroughly enjoyed learning through the use of new games.

DENTAL HYGIENE AT PICAFLOR HOUSE

Dental care is expensive often forgotten about in Peru and, with sugary foods being cheap and easily accessed, many children’s (and indeed adults’) teeth are rotting, brown and black.

We recently had a visit from a family from Atlanta, USA, who very kindly brought enough toothbrushes for all the children at Picaflor House. Along with toothpaste each child was also lucky enough to take home an extra toothbrush and were taught how to use them properly.

As such, at Picaflor House the children now brush their teeth every day after they’ve had a nutritious lunch, with the kindergarten children taking time out of their lessons in the afternoon to do the same.  

We’ve also been teaching the children the importance of not eating too many sweets and in our recent parents’ meeting, we encouraged parents not to allow their children to buy cheap candy after school, and instead send them to school with a piece of fruit.

We are hoping to see a change in the children’s habits and an overall positive effect on their dental hygiene.

NEWS

I am sorry to say that I shall be leaving my position at Picaflor House to take on new challenges in the UK (where I called home before Peru). There will be a replacement on the way soon and whilst I am of course sad to be leaving the position, children, and village after nearly four years, we are excited for the changes to come and for Picaflor House to keep growing as a centre of learning and as a safe space to be for the children of Oropesa.

I’d like to also take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has followed Picaflor House’s progress and donated to the project over the years; you’ve been a tremendous help and I do hope that you will continue to support the good work that is carried out.

Thank you for reading and as always, thank you for your continued, invaluable support. If you would like to donate, and we hope you do, please visit our page to do so!