Peru Program

2007-2008 Program: Wednesday, June 11th - Tuesday, June 24th.

Santa Rosa, Peru- 2007

The 2007 YouthLINC group visited Santa Rosa, a community of about 500 people living in the rainforest on the banks of the Amazon River. This was our first 'regular program' visit, though our Alum Trip spent four days in the village, teaching English, laying cement walkways, and distributing some clothing and school supplies.

"This experience has impacted me in a way that has not only opened my eyes to poverty and a world full of needs but has introduced me to people who are truly happy and content. The people of Santa Rosa are so grateful for the little that they do have. They inspire me to want to be a better person. I now realize more than ever that I am so blessed and because of that I have such a great responsibility and potential to do good and make a difference in lives around the world."
--Linda Jo Taylor, Peru 2007

Medical and Dental Care

Dr. Mason Wells pulled teeth for 10 days, relieving pain for almost 100 villagers. He was assisted by three YL student participants, and brought all his supplies and instruments. Next year, we need a dentist too, as the need is on-going and critical.

The medical team, and several interested student participants, saw a variety of patients in some impromptu clinics and held a community health fair. The topics that will need revisiting by next year's group are vaccinations, infant care, maternal care, STDs, first aid, prevention of parasite infection, sanitizing water buckets when using the new clean water filtration system.

The community needs a 'first line' medical clinic for emergency wound care, and thanks to a family in Vernal, we'll be building that. There is a teacher at the primary school with some medical background and she is willing to receive additional education. YouthLINC is willing to fund that.

Donations of medical supplies and medicines will be brought to both Santa Rosa, and to Yanamono (our previous service site close by, where we have supported a medical clinic built by the community).

"It's cheesy to say this program changed my life but it did. I will never forget the people in Santa Rosa. They will always be a part of my heart and of my life. They taught me how to live simply and how to be grateful. Never in a million years would I trade this experience."
--Rebecca Edwards, Peru 2007

Our Progress

The villagers and the team built a four room secondary school and painted it yellow as per the request of the village. Many thanks to Logan and Richfield Rotary Clubs for their contributions that made the school possible.

Two bathroom blocks were constructed, cement walkways laid, and a water filtration system now delivers clean water to the village. Many thanks to Southwest Valley Sunrise, Richfield, South Salt Lake, and Blanding Rotary Clubs for their support of a Rotary International Matching Grant that made these projects possible.

The community is thrilled to have a secondary school and the furniture to go in it, supplied by the RI Grant. Now the government will send teachers. Many educational lessons were taught ranging from anatomy to arts and crafts, including the teaching of English which is essential to the young people if they are going to get a job in the cities.

2007-2008 Efforts

Next year, the community would like more English instruction, and the school is in desperate need of science curriculum and supplies, such as would go into a science lab. The community would like to add a carpentry class to their curriculum, and they need supplies. The school would like a playground for the children, and more physical education supplies.

The most wonderful part of working with the villages in the Amazon is the partnership. The people come fully to the table to participate and contribute whatever they can from their meager resources. So much more can be accomplished without creating dependency, and in a spirit of mutual benefit, for surely, we Americans learn much from the river people: How to live simply and happily in communion with nature and each other.

"This trip has been the most eye-opening, amazing, wonderful time of my life. Helping people and seeing their gratitude, touched me so deeply. While we were in Peru, it hit me; compared to these people, I live like a king. My house is a palace. I have absolutely everything, including an obligation to give of myself to others."
--Kevin Engberson, Peru 2007

Previous Site: Yanamono, Peru

YouthLINC Peru has always been an example of how people working together can create meaningful change. Though this was our last year in Yanamono village -- about an hour down the Amazon from Iquitos, Peru -- we know we have accomplished much together.

The last four years in Yanamono have brought phenomenal changes to the village. YouthLINC students have worked side-by-side with villagers to build a new secondary school.

Clean water and sanitation are pressing concerns in the Amazon, and through a Rotary International Grant, we provided a water filtration system and bathrooms in Yanamono.

The Yanamono people held up their part of the partnership by building their own medical clinic, which we have worked to stock and staff. They also built a 'handicraft hut' where they sell their crafts to eco-tourists to pay for the chemicals for the water filtration system. To further build their economy, they have also begun selling their clean water to other villages.

The last year in Yanamono, YouthLINC built a storehouse for the village, which will be used in part as library. YouthLINC alums raised the $2500 for this structure by donating $20 or more to buy a ceramic tile with their picture on it. This YouthLINC Memory Wall is a permanent tribute to the friendships we've made with the Yanamono people.