I've been associated with Chicuchas Wasi since my first visit to Peru in 2008. By the time I visited again in 2012 incredible changes had taken place! Charitable donations had allowed the school to move to a new purpose-built building just outside Cusco. Pupil numbers had risen from just over 30 to more than 90 girls and the excitement and enthusiasm of the Director, Ruth Uribe, the teachers and the pupils was plain to see.

But things at Chicuchas Wasi don't stand still - while there are more girls who need their help to gain an education, no-one sits back and relaxes! In 2013 113 girls were enrolled for the new school year. However, the original source of funding for growth is exhausted and so Chicuchas Wasi took on the month-long Global Giving Challenge in order to join the community of Non Profits.

As always, expectations have been exceeded as they have reached the Challenge target amount within the first 4 days!

This demonstrates, yet again, the enormous commitment of the Board, donors, volunteers, Director, teachers and pupils to this incredibly worthwhile work.

Chicuchas Wasi is changing lives!

A charity with a vision of equal educational and life opportunities for poor, indiginous girls in Peru. My first contact was in 2008 when trekking in aid of another charity. The holistic approach at Chicuchas Wasi school struck a chord with me since the pupils are given so much more than an education. They are taught life skills, health and hygiene and are given medical and dental treatment. Practical support is also provided to students' parents, particularly their mothers. The school ethos is that every girl is special and valuable and they are provided with the opportunities to develop into capable and confident young women who will hopefully become leaders in their communities.