On the outskirts of our
village
of Andahuaylillas, the Vilcanota River – (which is the same river
that snakes around the citadel of Machu Picchu) as well as other smaller
tributaries of the Vilcanota- has flooded its banks and caused the
destruction
of housing made of mud and straw. Numerous parts of the population
in these villages have had to relocate to higher ground and are
receiving
help from the State, with regards to tents and food. The women
of the Q’ewar Project, understanding and sensitive to these problems,
have organized days of help for their neighbors, carrying rations of
cooked food to them, as well as bringing them used clothing.
The location of the Project
is on a hill above the main part of the Village of Andahuaylillas and
for this reason has not suffered any damage from the harshness of the
rains. But we are attentive to the circumstances, hoping to prevent
any potential disaster. The inner life of the work of the Project
carries on normally, fortunately given the various orders for dolls
and knitted clothing that we have been receiving from our friends around
the world.
Some exciting news!
We have succeeded, as of the 14 of January 2010, in receiving the
official
approval from the Peruvian Ministry of Education, for the activities
of our Kindergarten. “Wawa Munakuy” (giving love to the children
– in Quechua) now is officially recognized by the Private Education
Institution for the Initial Level (Peru) to attend children between
the ages of 3 and 5 years. This month, March, we will begin to
function as a recognized school, properly equipped and staffed with
a group of three qualified teachers, plus a director. On par with
the official curriculum, we will be gradually implementing these
curricula
with more content from the Waldorf Education pedagogy. Additionally,
we will support our teachers in their continuing education in the
Waldorf
methods, attending 6 week seminars in the capital city of Lima, around
the middle of the year. New photos of the dedication ceremony are located in photo gallery.
We offer our profound
gratitude
to Evi and Marcos Lanter and Senora Ruedin, Directors of the Swiss
foundation
that helps educate poor children. In the same way, we are deeply
grateful to Dr. Annette Massmann, of Bochum, Germany for her continual
help in the formation of educating our teachers in the Waldorf method,
as well as maintaining and improving the infrastructure of Wawa
Munakuy.
For two months, we have had
the vital, enthusiastic and constructive impulse of a young volunteer,
ex-alumni German Waldorf student, Demian Kleinert. Demian has
been engaged in making wooden toys for our school children as well as
constructing outside equipment for the school – swings, teeter-tauter,
climbing frame and a sand box – all constructed of native wood.
Another three volunteers
have been with us for our daily work. Mr. Renato Bon, ex-Italian
Waldorf teacher, has been giving talks to us about Anthroposophy as
well as helping with the children at the school. Carolin Rieger,
a young German volunteer from the Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf
Steiner e.V. will have been with us for a year, at the end of July,
giving classes in English to the young children of the women who work
during the day at the Project. She also has been introducing the
Project to the tourists who visit the Q’ewar shop as well as helping
with the children. Alexandra Erth, a young German, is at the Project,
finishing writing her thesis on psychotherapy in the mornings, and
helping
in the Q’ewar workshops in the afternoons.
We have undertaken the
construction
of an open air classroom that can serve multiple uses. This will
be on the edge of the outdoor recreation area for the children.
We are grateful for the generous donation from the Agrupacion Catolica
de Senoras de Habla Hispana, from Biel, Switzerland. Also we are
finishing the construction of a room and bathroom on the upper part
of the land, where we will be able to offer comfortable accommodation
to the growing number of visitors and volunteers who through their
interest
become involved with the activities and life of the Q’ewar Project.
We say goodbye to you for
now, with much affection and gratitude.
Julio and Lucy
(with Carmen translating)