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.
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 |  |  Graciela, Vilma and Philip sit with her fellow sisters of the Dominicana De Presentacion. Vilma was a nun from ages 16 to 33. |
 VIlma's Town |  Philip and Vilma overlooking one of the many thermal baths in Peru. |  Vilma in one of her town's steep streets. |
 Tania and Lola. Partial funds will go to support Tania's rent and education. |  Tania scales a cave's walls. |  One side of Casa Hogar, built originally by Philip and crew in 2009 for the children in the community. |
 Casa Hogar taken from above. |  In Graciela's dining room in Lima - Vilma and Philip review a letter to Cecila, a lawyer in Spain, over the predicament of La Casa Hogar. |  Tania helps make cocoa for the children in her community, with Lola held in her other arm. |
 The Salazar family hold a communal "Chocolatina" where cocoa, sweets, and gifts are given to the local children during the holidays. |  Vilma and Juana serve the children hot cocoa, paneton (sweet festive bread), and gifts. |  Children dance during the Chocolatina. Originally held at La Casa Hogar, Vilma was forced to hold it elsewhere. |
 Overlooking Vilma's town high in the Andes. |  Another steep street in Vilma's town. |  Philip and Vilma talk with Susana who faces eviction to make room for the miners. La Casa Hogar was originally built for the children to ease their access to education. |
 Classroom in Vilma's community. |  La Casa Hogar in Dec 2022 |  Sunset over Vilma's Community high in the Andes. |
 Tania, Juana and Philip on the Salazar Farm. |  A tree grows out of Juana's hat. |  Tania and Pablo overlooking Vilma's town. |
 Philip in the Andes |  Tania, Lola, and Philip explore the mountains. |  Juana and Vilma's family takes care of Millie and Tania, two neglected children who were welcomed into their family and cared for ever since. |
 Millie, Juana and Philip talk in Vilma's community. |  I first met Philip flying over the Amazon in 2018, he sat next to me on the airplane and we quickly got acquainted over our reasons for being in Peru. |  Graciela and Philip, lunch in 2018. I was invited to lunch and because I had a couple hours layover, our conversation continued. |
