La Casa Hogar Fund
Written by Amy on behalf of Philip and Vilma
Back in 2009 on behalf of a charity in London, Philip went to Lima, Peru, to help build a soup kitchen but the plan changed. He was sent to a remote village in the Apurimac region, 16 hours away and 3.5 km above sea-level. It was there that he met Vilma Ceron Salazar, who was in charge of the Casa Hogar project. La Casa Hogar means the House Home in Spanish. Her goal was to establish a refuge so the children in remote regions could get an education. They need somewhere to sleep because they live too far from the school to travel everyday. It was a profound experience for Philip to be isolated high in the Andes; so much so that he collected and published his experiences in a book, A Peruvian Diary.
As of recently, the new local council have ejected Vilma from the project because a mining company can pay rent, whereas the children cannot. This contravenes and undermines the purpose of La Casa Hogar entirely. Vilma has been working on this project for the last 13 years to bring La Casa Hogar up to standard but unfortunately her time allowed on the local council has come to an end for the moment.
Sadly, the new council have chosen money over morality
which is not in the best interest of the community.
La Casa Hogar Fund Update (July 05, 2023)
Since the eviction of the children late last year and a single mother in January of this year, the
miners were renting the Casa Hogar until relatively recently. It is reported that a senior member of the local council attempted to procure a bribe from the mining company who are interested in extracting iron ore from the mountain upon which the village rests. However, the mining company, being of sound moral fiber, rejected the offer of a bribe to the local council member and have left the building. In fact, the miners have left the
village altogether. The result is that the local community are making plans to oust the current council, who are
hanging on by the skin of their teeth. We should take this as a fine example in the UK.
Meanwhile the children are being looked after by the community, as are the single mother and
her three children.
All donations are being used to support the children in their education in the purchase of reading
and writing materials and in their accommodation while attending classes.
We thank you for your continued support.
​
- Philip J.S. Jones
$1,200+ Donated as of :
Thank you!
The exchange rate in Peru is favourable. Anything will help, US $5.00 or £5.00 will go a long way. Your funds go directly to helping Vilma and her community.
*No money is wasted on administration.
