Training On Environmental Care

Now I would like to share with you about some proyects on Environmental Care that were performed here in Chimbote in 2008 through the unconditional support of American benefactors and Rotarian friends from Chanhassen-Minessota in the USA in coordination with Chimbote Rotary Club and canalized by CHOI.

Even though several good people (specially from the USA) are supporting Social Programs however there is still too much to do for the poorest in Chimbote because so many people are still waiting for a chance in their lives. Here are some pictures on the performed proyects:

P R O J E C T S - 2 0 0 8

GROUP: I

Students and teachers doing a Recycling Project presentation.

Speech to students about recycling and its importance.

GROUP: II

Youth Leaders and Sensitizers at a recycling speech.

Educational class about environment.

GROUP: III

Fixture with students referent to Global Warming.

Delivery of garbage cylinders for non-organic materials.

GROUP: IV

Detailed presentation about the project of recycling.

Delivery of garbage cylinders for organic waste.

MANY THANKS ROTARIAN FRIENDS

(From the Board of Directors of Support Programs of CHOI)

In name of all of participants of the program which comprise a special family we built throughout these dedicated years contributing to many people: Children, young people, parents and all of community members. It is for us a great happiness to give and help through you. For this reason we would like to thank you for the unconditional support, with no distinctions neither barriers through the passing of the 2008 year, and all the years before giving us your support to make of our city a better place to live in.

CHIMBOTE - ANCASH - PERÚ

Beneficed Youth By Educational Programs

It is encouraging to see here in Chimbote some young people from the poor neighborhoods around and with no resources but with personal assets, talent for study, and great motivation, accomplishing their goals of studying a professional career at a technical institute or university with support of benefactors of the CHOI's educational programs "Dollars For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" (DFS & LFT.)

Today these young people are ready to get better their life style and their families', face challenges of life, contribute to change for better their community, city and country, be better people that they were born to be, etc. All of this is possible because there are benefactors in other countries that are willing to assist, by means of CHOI's programs, people in need who are looking for a little impulse to improve their quality of life that in this case is through education.

List of young people beneficiaries that got to study a professional career by help of "Dollar For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" programs (DFS & LFT)

Click on the list to expand it

However there are still many other young people less advantaged who have no the chance for their dreams and life goals to come true. Most of them have talents and abilities but unfortunately don't have enough resources or motivation for promoting or develop them consequently these assets, talents, abilities, etc are lost and this way human elements for change that every society needs never emerge and this brings underdevelopment and poverty for the people.

Educational Programs: Dollars For Scholars and Leaders For Tomorrow (DFS & LFT)

Founders (promoters) of these Programs were the American friends: JOSE and TERESA ADAMS. Today the programs remain in place thanks to generosity of new American friends: EARL MILBRATH, MIKE LEONARD and Rotarians friends from Chanhassen, MN in the USA.

These programs are an agreement between Chanhassen-MN Rotary Club and Chimbote-Perú Rotary Club to seek the best young people (that have personal assets potentially, want to develop them and make them work out in academic area and live in neighborhoods surrounding Fr. Jack's parish here in Chimbote) in order to offer them support for their university or technical studies.

At the time I am writing this post the staff of the programs is as follows: Mr. Carlos Alayo Mecola is the Coordinator of the two programs. Mr. Rafael Armas Bardales is the Director of "Dollars For Scholars" Program and Mr. Orlando Bermudez García is the Director of "Leaders for Tomorrow" Program. Its offices are located in "Sacred Heart of Jesus" Chapel at H-25 "Ramal Playa" Neighborhood in Chimbote, see the picture above.

Founders, Benefactors and Members of "Dollars For Scholars" and "Leaders For Tomorrow" Programs - DFS & LFT (↓)

Benefactors for "Dollars For Scholars" Program, the Team of "Leaders For Tomorrow" Program, Rotarian friends and young leaders. (↓)

Young Leaders receiving a certificate as graduated students of the Program from The Chimbote Club Rotary with the presence of Rotarian Benefeactor of Chanhassen-MN in the USA. (↓)

Rotarian Library: Giving its services to Young Leaders and community members of our "Corazón de Jesús" Chapel and bringing a great help for development of our university students. (↓)

Some young people of "Leaders For Tomorrow" Program who have successfully finished their studies. (↓)

Supporting The Poorest

Here in Chimbote there is a non-profit organization called "Los Amigos del Padre Juan" (The Father Jack's Friends) comprised by Christian people from The United States and Chimbote itself which is dedicated to work for the poorest of this city. But let me share with you a little more about it.

"Los Amigos del Padre Juan" is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Perú. Los Amigos was formed in 1998 and, in 2002 received 501c3 status, allowing donations to be tax-deductible.

Los Amigos, are friends (from different places specially the US) of Fr. Jack Davis and Sr. Peggy Byrne, and the impoverished of Chimbote, Perú. They assist and support Fr. Jack in his life effort to bring hope and dignity to the poorest people of Chimbote. They do this because they believe in the Christian principle of social justice. To respond to the need as effectively as possible, they have organized under several different non-profit entities:

• Los Amigos Board of Directors.
• Los Amigos Foundation.
• ACAF (Asociación Civil Apoyo Familiar): A Peruvian civil association which distributes Los Amigos funds in Chimbote by performing its social programs.
• CHOI (Chimbote Opportunities Ilimited): Another Peruvian Civil Association that, through its self-sustaining programs, promotes community development by transforming entrepreneurs into independent and self-supporting members of their communities.

Not only are they organized under different bodies but they draw support from several different donor bases, including parishes, individuals, foundations, Rotary Clubs and various other diverse organizations, all of which have provided money or volunteer time to advance the mission of Los Amigos.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF "LOS AMIGOS" ORGANIZATION

The needs of the residents of Chimbote are basic: Food to eat, shelter from the elements, care when they are sick, jobs to provide for their families, and access to education so their children can build a better future. To respond to these needs, Los Amigos provides the following programs:

• Social Programs: Soup kitchens, battered women's shelter, legal advocacy, wellness program, emergency assistance program.
• Infrastructure: Home building and repair, garden maintenance.
• Health Care: Medical, nursing, and dental appointments, medial support services, hospice, hospital partnerships, tuberculosis programs.
• Economic Development Council (EDC) - CHOI*: Canalizes resources to CHOI's programs: "Dollars for scholars", micro-lending, Chimbote Computer Services, etc.
• Education: Learning support/tutoring program, libraries, kindergartens and daycare, adult learning program.

* ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC) - CHOI

The EDC is a committee operating under the direction of the "Los Amigos" to complement the services provided through ACAF. This goal is achieved by means of CHOI and its programs such as: Micro-lending (creation of small businesses), employment, scholarship, mentoring and training, pre university academy, etc.

Considering Christian principles as core foundation, the EDC mission is the transformation of individuals into independent and self-supporting members of their comunity. It has a strong partnership with Rotary Clubs in Minnesota-USA and Chimbote-Perú and with St. Michael's Parish in Prior Lake, MN. To learn more contact EDC chair Earl Milbrath.

Current EDC Operations Through CHOI In Chimbote:

Dollars For Scholars And Leaders For Tomorrow Programs (DFS & LFT): are administered by the Rotary Clubs of Chanhassen - MN and Chimbote - Perú to send young people from the poorest neighborhoods of Chimbote to universities and technical schools and to provide leadership training in the planning and execution of community service projects.

The program commenced in 2002 and has had 17 graduates, who all have found gainful employment. Currently there are several students in school. The community service projects, scholars run while studying, have recently focused on recycling and envorinmental cleaning.

Micro-Lending Program: The EDC partners with the Small Business Development Committee of St. Michael's Parish in Prior Lake - MN to provide micro-loans to start and sustain small businesses in Fr. Jack's Parish. At the beginning, the business was conducted through a Peruvian organization called "ASOCIACIÓN DE APOYO A PEQUEÑOS NEGOCIOS PERPETUO SOCORRO." Presently is a CHOI program. Under the EDC - CHOI, its scope has been expanded to poor areas surrounding the parish and to include group lending as commonly found in micro-lending throughout the world.

Chimbote Healthy Port Program: This recycling business was started in 2007 in Fr. Jack's Parish and in 2008 began expansion to surrounding barrios. Efforts to promote recycling have been effective but also have spawned independent collectors who are buying the high plastic recyclables and collection programs in schools which sell the recyclables to competitors.

Chimbote Computer Services: This small internet café and computer training and repair service business is operated by a graduate of the Scholarship / Leadership Program. Computer training is provided to adults and students.

Chimbote Sewing Center: This sewing business launched in 2007 and has began making clothes for sale in Chimbote and in the US.