Footprints
We hope to leave a step-by-step plan for others to follow along with if not get ideas for their own project from. Therefore, here is the Peru Project, broken down step by step into footprints.
First, we first sent out emails and Facebook messages to everyone and anyone. Naturally, we also followed up on any leads given to us.
We also started to brainstorm about churches, schools, and community groups which may be helpful to us at some point along this journey.
We presented our first power point show of our trip to Huaripampa at the Steven's home to about 35 people. This was a big feat for Renata who didn't like public speaking. We are lined up to speak to the Rotary club this fall.
We then set up a Twitter account, found here, so that we could keep our followers updated on our progress.
Certainly, we shared our enthusiasm about the project with everyone. Amazing connections occurred as a result!
Once we built our website, we posted the link anywhere we could think of.
We tried to get airline points, flights, and shots donated before we left. All were declined, but we tried.
Fund raising brought art raffles, popsicle sales and collection bins, and partnerships with businesses like Stevens Holistic Wellness Centers, Ye Old Waffle Shop, & Ten Thousand Villages in Chapel Hill.
We talked to elementary school students to share our passion about the project. Morris Grove Elementary in Chapel Hill and Triangle Day School in Durham are now passionate about the project, too.
A business plan was then developed with our goals, needs and project overview so that we can give possible donors a full view on what we intend to do.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization proposal is also in the works for a larger, more broad organization to oversee the Peru Project. With this, we can solicit larger donations.
Business donations and grants will be pursued when we receive our 501(c) (3) status.
We made our initial visit to Huaripampa in late December, to get a better feel for the town, hear community needs, as well as look into the specifics of building in the country. This was the most amazing part of the project and gives us great inspiration to carry on.
We got to meet with the children and their families to share our vision and passion about the project during a hot chocolate gathering in the town.
In order to travel, we had gotten necessary vaccinations such as typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A, Yellow Fever and the flu shot. Due to elevation, we didn't have to get malaria pills.
However, we didn't take altitude seriously until we got sick. Take medicine with you if you're going to a place of high altitude and make sure you have enough! We found out that drugstores around Peru sold the medication with no need for prescription, which saved us.
Renata also learned Spanish to survive in Peru.
After visiting, she decided that doing her homework was more important than she would have thought.
Renata's picture book, Gracie, the Blue Lacy, was translated into Spanish by DTS, a translation company. We showed the book to the kids and tried to excite them about reading. www.dtstrans.com
After about a year we started to ask for help! People have been offering to run with projects or invent their own and we listened. It feels so good to have more helpful hands.
Then, we planned our biggest event yet--an art auction! We got a great venue (Fleet Feet Gallery in Chapel Hill) and donations from over fifty artists. Paired with an online auction, the event was a great success.
For this event, artist Isti Kaldor created a unique piece of art, which we raffled off for $25 a ticket. (Definitely a good buy!)
Pairing with Team for Kids charity and Dr. Angelina Stevens, the Peru Project hosted a second art auction shortly after the first. This one was smaller scale and hosted at a wine bar--great fun!
The Peru Project also attended other sales around town, selling bracelets, jewelry and other items to raise funds.
The Peru Project then BROKE GROUND in Huaripampa, Peru, in January of 2011.
Currently, they are working to raise the roof of the library, and then to fill it with books!
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "You do not have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." So we continue, one step at a time.
