Jenny Randall, Concepts of Peru

The Anglo-Peruvian Society, founded in 1961, is a registered charity with two objectives: to increase understanding in the UK about Peru?s people, history, language and literature, institutions, folklore, culture, and intellectual, artistic and economic life; and to help to relieve poverty and sickness in Peru.

The Society is one of the most active Societies of its sort in London. The Peruvian Ambassador of the day is its Honorary President. The present Chairman is Richard Ralph, a former British ambassador to Peru (2003-6). Membership is open to anyone interested in Peru; application forms can be obtained from the Secretary, or downloaded from the Society?s website ? www.angloperuviansociety.org.

The Society organises a full programme of lectures and films on all aspects of Peruvian life. These are normally held in central London, and cover a wide array of themes, including rainforests and global warming, Peruvian gastronomy, why Andeans love coca, political and institutional evolution between the first and second Garcia presidencies, saving Peru?s golden fleece (the vicuna), and the Inca and other early Peruvian civilisations, to name only a few.

These are supplemented and enlivened by organised excursions to places with Peruvian associations, concerts, exhibitions of painting, photographs and sculpture, an annual tennis tournament, bridge, and regular social gatherings, formal as well as informal (a rare opportunity in London to find a pisco sour!). Highlights of the social calendar are the Fiestas Patrias mass and reception (jointly with the Peruvian Embassy), the APS stand at the annual Latin American Fair at Kensington Town Hall, a dinner dance, and lunches to mark Peruvian Mother?s Day and other anniversaries. There is also a Young Members Group for the under-35s.

In pursuit of its philanthropic objectives, the Society raises funds to support a number of charities in Peru, focussing especially on children?s homes, nurseries and orphanages, hospitals and vocational training. In 2007 it raised over £10,000 for victims of the devastating earthquake south of Lima.

Finally, the Society also supports research and expeditions, either financially or through advice and contacts. Previous themes of research projects have encompassed rainforest dynamics, dry coastal forests, ornithology, botany and rehabilitation of Inca drainage and terracing systems. Any serious proposal will be considered.

The Society collaborates with the Asociacion Cultural Peruano-Britanica in Lima (members of the Society visiting Lima are entitled to make use of the Phoenix Club under a special arrangement) and with the British-Peruvian Trade and Investment Group, as well as with other Peruvian and kindred Latin American societies in London. It is therefore a gateway into a bigger network.

The Society welcomes new members with open arms. Companies are also very welcome to join as corporate members. Visitors from Peru, or people who are returning to the UK after living in Peru, are particularly encouraged to join, or even just to attend Society events.

The main fund raisers for this year are a Dinner Dance at the Regency Hotel, South Kensington on Thurs 25th Sept, Peruvian menu and chef, dancing to Nobby's Latin Show Band with Norbert Solano (footballer played for Newcastle now with West Ham), tickets £60 each available from the secretary, e-mail: angloperuvian@society494.fsnet.co.uk

WE RAISED OVER £11500 WITH THE EARTHQUAKE APPEAL WHICH HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED AND HELP REQUESTED BELOW HAS BEEN IMPLIMENTED

ASSOCIATION PACARITAMBO
This Association is dedicated to helping disabled, abandoned and extremely poor children. For many years it ran a school and training centre in Mala, drawing children from both the immediate area and Cañete. Both these areas have been very badly affected by the Earthquake and the Association plans to source and deliver small pre-fabricated housing to the most needy families in the Cañete (Ica) area where many people have been left homeless and destitute.

INSTITUCION EDUCATIVA PUNTA HERMOSA RUDY ECHEGARAY FAJARDO
This charitable institution runs a school for children from very poor families in Punta Hermosa, some 40 kilometres south of Lima. Most of the teachers, who are also of modest means live in rudimentary housing provided by the school. Both the school and the housing have been badly damaged by the earthquake and funds are urgently needed to purchase materials and equipment in order to commence rebuilding and enable the school to reopen.

WESTNELL NURSERY ASSOCIATION

Located in one of the most deprived areas of Lima this Association has been supported by the Anglo-Peruvian Society for 20 years. It provides kinder garden education for 3 to 5 years olds, children from extremely poor single parent homes. The high level of the facilities and teaching give the most disadvantaged children a start towards a better life and allow their parent to work thereby earning a little money to support the family. The walls of the school were destroyed by the earthquake making the facilities unusable. Classes are continuing in tents and temporary rented accommodation but funds are urgently needed to rebuild the walls and make the school safe for future use.


WE ALSO TRY TO DONATE SMALL AMOUNTS REGULARLY TO THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS AND ASSESS ANY NEW REQUESTS.
GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO VISIT ALL PROJECTS AND ASSESS THEIR NEEDS AND PROGRESS.

Los Niños del Hogar de Menores-Puno (It helps children without homes in
Puno)
Anglo-Peruvian Child Care Mission ( Nurseries in Arequipa)
Asociacion Alegria en el Corazon (Children with Down Syndrome and Mental
Retarded and hearing defficiencies on the initial levels).
GEMMA Gente del Mañana - Huancayo street children
Las Pomorosas Nursery - Pucalpa


Contact:
The Secretary, Anglo-Peruvian Society, P.O. Box 494, Wembley, HA9 8ZB, UK.
Email: angloperuvian@society494.fsnet.co.uk