Pisco Still Needs Your Help
Donación protegida
Many countries around the world have been hit hard by Covid-19. Peru has sadly been hit harder than most. Peru currently has the 8th highest number of active cases in the world, and the 3rd highest per capita. The small town of Pisco in Peru is yet again facing very hard times.
The people of Pisco were struggling before this latest emergency. Much of the small city was destroyed in an earthquake in 2007, leaving whole neighbourhoods without basic shelter or security. In the last few years, they have been joined by Venezulan refugees escaping a different kind of disaster.
Mel and Matt lived in Pisco during 2010 while volunteering for a NGO called Pisco Sin Fronteras (PSF). During this time, we helped to build houses, schools, parks and daycare centres for the families of Pisco. PSF no longer operates in Pisco but, while it was in existence, hundreds of volunteers from around the world visited and fell in love with the town and people who live there.
Ricardo Martin Palomino Conislla (known fondly as Martin) has lived in Pisco and surrounding areas all of his life. He volunteered his time to PSF while completing high school and has continued to help the families of Pisco over the last 10 years. Many ex PSF volunteers still remain in contact with Martin and he has been updating us all on the dire situation in Pisco.
Peru has been in lock down since March 15th. There has been little to no government assistance offered and most people are unable to work from home. Covid cases continue to increase and the healthcare system simply cannot cope. Because of this, the lock down has been increased until at least the end of June and quite possibly even longer.
Martin has been doing what he can to help the most desperate families in Pisco. With the help of some other PSF volunteers, we were able to raise over $2000 AUD in late April and early May. Martin used this money to buy bulk food and nappies. He distributed the supplies between 60 families that were most in need. They all received enough food to eat for two weeks.
With the remaining money, Martin and his family helped to build a small home for a Venezuelan family who have been living in Pisco as refugees.
Two months before they fled Venezuela, their father tragically passed away. Their mother, Carmen, was working in Pisco but lost her job when the lock down began in March. She is now jobless and raising six children alone.
Carmen and her family were ejected from the house they were renting when the lock down began as they had no income to continue paying rent. The house Martin helped to build has four 2 metre x 3 metre rooms and has given the family security and shelter.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped in our last fundraising effort. You have made such a difference to many desperate families.
But it doesn't end there. The people of Pisco are desperate once again. Families are rationing food and many are beginning to starve. Crime and begging are increasing and the end to the lock down is still at least more than three weeks away.
We are asking again for donations to help feed the families most in need. Last time we were able to raise enough money to buy the following:
Rice 750 Soles = 250 kgs at 3 Soles / kg
Beans 400 Soles = 100 kgs at 4 Soles / kg
Eggs 300 Soles = 50kgs at 6 Soles / kg
Noodles 300 Soles = 100 kgs at 3 Soles / kg
Oil 250 Soles = 50 bottles at 5 Soles / bottle
Milk 700 Soles = 200 bottles at 3.50 Soles / bottle
Tuna 500 Soles = 200 cans at 2.50 Soles / can
Sugar 625 Soles = 250 kgs at 2.50 Soles/ kg w
TOTAL 3,825 Soles (approximately $1125 USD / 1040 EU / 1575 CND / 1765 AUD)
We would like to raise at least that much again so we can help the same families for a few more weeks. If we can raise more than last time, we will be able to feed even more needy families.
Please help if you can. Even a small donation will make a big difference. The cost of food in Pisco is very cheap compared to many other areas around the world. I understand that many people are not able to help financially, so please instead spread the word and share this page with your friends and family.
Thank you,
Mel, Matt, Martin and the families of Pisco
The people of Pisco were struggling before this latest emergency. Much of the small city was destroyed in an earthquake in 2007, leaving whole neighbourhoods without basic shelter or security. In the last few years, they have been joined by Venezulan refugees escaping a different kind of disaster.
Mel and Matt lived in Pisco during 2010 while volunteering for a NGO called Pisco Sin Fronteras (PSF). During this time, we helped to build houses, schools, parks and daycare centres for the families of Pisco. PSF no longer operates in Pisco but, while it was in existence, hundreds of volunteers from around the world visited and fell in love with the town and people who live there.
Ricardo Martin Palomino Conislla (known fondly as Martin) has lived in Pisco and surrounding areas all of his life. He volunteered his time to PSF while completing high school and has continued to help the families of Pisco over the last 10 years. Many ex PSF volunteers still remain in contact with Martin and he has been updating us all on the dire situation in Pisco.
Peru has been in lock down since March 15th. There has been little to no government assistance offered and most people are unable to work from home. Covid cases continue to increase and the healthcare system simply cannot cope. Because of this, the lock down has been increased until at least the end of June and quite possibly even longer.
Martin has been doing what he can to help the most desperate families in Pisco. With the help of some other PSF volunteers, we were able to raise over $2000 AUD in late April and early May. Martin used this money to buy bulk food and nappies. He distributed the supplies between 60 families that were most in need. They all received enough food to eat for two weeks.
With the remaining money, Martin and his family helped to build a small home for a Venezuelan family who have been living in Pisco as refugees.
Two months before they fled Venezuela, their father tragically passed away. Their mother, Carmen, was working in Pisco but lost her job when the lock down began in March. She is now jobless and raising six children alone.
Carmen and her family were ejected from the house they were renting when the lock down began as they had no income to continue paying rent. The house Martin helped to build has four 2 metre x 3 metre rooms and has given the family security and shelter.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped in our last fundraising effort. You have made such a difference to many desperate families.
But it doesn't end there. The people of Pisco are desperate once again. Families are rationing food and many are beginning to starve. Crime and begging are increasing and the end to the lock down is still at least more than three weeks away.
We are asking again for donations to help feed the families most in need. Last time we were able to raise enough money to buy the following:
Rice 750 Soles = 250 kgs at 3 Soles / kg
Beans 400 Soles = 100 kgs at 4 Soles / kg
Eggs 300 Soles = 50kgs at 6 Soles / kg
Noodles 300 Soles = 100 kgs at 3 Soles / kg
Oil 250 Soles = 50 bottles at 5 Soles / bottle
Milk 700 Soles = 200 bottles at 3.50 Soles / bottle
Tuna 500 Soles = 200 cans at 2.50 Soles / can
Sugar 625 Soles = 250 kgs at 2.50 Soles/ kg w
TOTAL 3,825 Soles (approximately $1125 USD / 1040 EU / 1575 CND / 1765 AUD)
We would like to raise at least that much again so we can help the same families for a few more weeks. If we can raise more than last time, we will be able to feed even more needy families.
Please help if you can. Even a small donation will make a big difference. The cost of food in Pisco is very cheap compared to many other areas around the world. I understand that many people are not able to help financially, so please instead spread the word and share this page with your friends and family.
Thank you,
Mel, Matt, Martin and the families of Pisco
Equipo de recaudación de fondos: Mel, Matt and Martin (2)
Mel King
Organizador
Burwood VIC
Matt Bell
Team member
