We often feel a little overwhelmed by the scale of poverty in Peru, and particularly in Cusco where we live, along with a high concentration of indigenous people. We see problems and issues every day and it seems almost impossible that anything can be done to improve the lives of many of the poorest members of this society.
It may not seem like much in the overall scheme of things but we are trying to make a difference with projects that have a direct effect, however small, on the poorest residents of this city.
Our latest initiative, being put into action 2 Saturdays a month, is to give out food bags to wandering elderly people, street children and beggars - those we feel most need the help. Saturday is a good day for this scheme as this is the day where many older people wander out from various institutions and homes looking for charitable donations of bread, assorted knick knacks, fruit, etc, from local buisnesses.
One or two members of our office will put the bags together, good quality bread being an obvious choice, and then spend a couple of hours looking for deserving recipients. This is a pilot scheme so we don't really know yet how it will work. We will keep you posted and place some photos on our website and blog.
