Chicuchas Wasi nonprofit

I had the pleasure of visiting Chicuchas Wasi Girls School in May 2016 along with 11 other visitors. We saw first hand the positive impact the Peruvian teachers have had on the 110 girls, their family, and their community. The teachers have focused classrooms not only on various academic subjects but also on cultural appreciation, and personal growth, and responsibility. Each class of students enthusiastically preformed a disciplined, well rehearsed song, dance, poem, reading, or drama. We all shard a meal prepared by their indigenous parents who are thrilled to have their girls in school, knowing that because of an education life will offer their children opportunities that unfortunately they themselves never were given.
I wholeheartedly encourage your support of Chicuchas Wasi Girls School . Almost 100% of funds raised goes directly to support the school.
Betty W

This school is doing incredible things for the girls. The students feel so fortunate and proud to go to Chicuchas Wasi, as they know it is a special opportunity that will change their lives. CW focuses on developing the whole student- academics, personal growth, medical services, art, athletics, environmental awareness, and more. I have never seen an organization be more invested in its girls than Chicuchas Wasi!

We visited the school in May 2015 on a trip to Cusco. The staff were wonderful and the girls so friendly and welcoming. We had a great visit and could really appreciate all the work and cost that goes into running the school and giving an education to these girls who need it most.
We were only too happy to make a donation when we got home.

I spent a couple of hours at Chicuchas Wasi whilst visiting my daughter in Peru. I used to work for UNICEF UK, so have visited a number of schools in developing countries. I thought this school was a little jewel - the buildings are well designed and maintained, the girls obviously feel both nurtured and celebrated, and the staff are clearly united in their caring attitude and positive philosophy. I was very impressed.

I had the privilege of visiting Chicuchas Wasi as part of my work with non-profit crowdfunding platform Global Giving - and found a wonderful school with inspirational, committed teachers and happy, incredible children. I have never felt so welcomed and moved by a project I've visited, which has created a loving and safe space for these girls - who face many hardships in their home lives. I particularly enjoyed being able to spend so much time with both founders of the school - Ruth and Rae - who are truly dedicated and have worked tirelessly for these girls for many years.

I have been indirectly involved with Chicuchas Wasi for several years, having a close friend who has traveled there and sharing her times there. Through the stories and experiences of her visits, coupled with the material learned from the Chicuchas Wasi web site, I have become aware of the important work this school is carrying out among underprivileged and impoverished girls.
I receive regular communications from the school, and it’s through these e-mails that I am made clear on the effectiveness of its mission. I am learning that there is close interaction of teachers and administrative personnel with the girls. Teachers have the necessary supplies to work with, and the school provides appropriate materials enabling the teachers to do their work. There are course programs, and the topics covered are quite appropriate for the children's age.
It is clear to me that the goal for this school is for the education of its girls. Education will enable them to move out of their impoverished circumstances and have an impact in and on their community. Because these are the goals of learning I personally believe in, I have since become a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the mission of Chicuchas Wasi.

I have been with Chicuchas Wasi and on the board since its inception in 1987 when the founder, Rae Lewis, was looking for support to start a shelter for street children. Soon we had a home in Cusco, with 12 children, providing them shelter including nutrition, health care, school and life skills. Over the next 9-10 years we cared for many children including those who just came to the door for a meal, pair of shoes or medical assistance which ultimately amounted to hundreds. Eventually we realized that education of girls was the key. In 1997 we transitioned to Chicuchas Wasi School for Girls to prepare and educate poor girls to become future leaders for social change, to end gender inequality, female abuse and child abandonment. Starting with a small class of 4 and 5 year olds, growing every year, we now have our own school in Cusco with 110 students. This year, celebrating our 28th anniversary, we will graduate our third group of 6th graders. I am so proud of these girls and how far they have come.

Hola amigos de Great nonprofits, escribo este reporte como conocedor y voluntario de Chicuchas Wasi,pues conozco la obra desde hace mas de quince años y mas ahora que el proyecto va dedicado a la educación de niñas en situación en alto riesgo de la ciudad del Cusco - Perú, labor que es regentada por la profesora Ruth y su noble equipo de profesoras que hasta la fecha han logrado varias promociones de niñas que han culminado su primaria con éxito y se vislumbran como lideres pues estas niñas han aprendido lo más importante de su formación que es la autoestima y el amor por su prógimo, la escuela en si alberga a mas de cien niñas que son formadas con un buen nivel educativo. Para finalizar y con mucha franqueza debo recomendar a los amigos y benefactores que deseen conocer de la obra, visiten la escuela Chicuchas Wasi y conozcan a las niñas que estudian allí y a las profesoras, además de paso logran visitar la maravilla del mundo Machupicchu y la hermosa ciudad del Cusco.
Gracias.
Atte. Erik Vera.

I was introduced to Chicuchas Wasi a little less than 1 year ago. I met Rae Lewis and Ruth Uribe, when Ruth came to California. I was so impressed by the program, that I wanted to help with whatever I could. When we traveled to visit my parents who retired in Peru, I asked if I could take anything for them. That is how my involvement started. On August 20th, 2015 my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Chicuchas Wasi. I was so impressed with Ruth’s dedication, endless energy and love towards not only all the students, but also her staff, the parents of the students and the community. The Chicuchas Wasi teachers and staff are awesome and very dedicated to the young ladies they are educating, by not only giving them the academic tools but also giving them the tools to build their self-pride, self-reliance and self-confidence for a successful future. The Chicuchas Wasi program educates young ladies from pre-school until 6th grade.
We were invited to visit every classroom and were welcomed with songs, poetry, safety lesson, art lesson, English class and a science project. The Chicuchas Wasi young ladies overcome extreme hardships to get an education, yet they all were very welcoming. Their songs and poetry expressed how grateful they are for their education (which is free), how much they love their teachers and especially their director Ruth. I left each classroom with tears in my eyes and a heart full of love from all the hugs I received. Visiting Chicuchas Wasi was the highlight of our visit to Cusco and I am so glad to be a little part of the Chicuchas Wasi family.

My recent visit in August 2015 to Chicuchas Wasi was the highlight of my trip in Cusco! Rae coordinated my visit, and Ruth gave me a full tour of the school. I met all of the students and faculty at this beautiful location in a unique and secluded area in the hills of Cusco. Everything was so well organized, from my time spent there to the facilities, and more importantly to the curriculum and values taught to the girls. I was so impressed by the organization, the giving and loving staff, and I hope to be involved towards the future efforts of Chicuchas Wasi.

My recent visit to Chicuchas Wasi was the highlight of my trip in Cusco! Rae coordinated my visit, and Ruth gave me a full tour of the school. I met all of the students and faculty at this beautiful location in a unique and secluded area in the hills of Cusco. Everything was so well organized, from my time spent there to the facilities, and more importantly to the curriculum and values taught to the girls. I was so impressed by the organization, the giving and loving staff, and I hope to be involved towards the future efforts of Chicuchas Wasi.

I became familiar with Chicuchas Wasy about 8 years ago and have since then followed its evolution. I have only visited it once, happily being invited to the official inauguration of the new school. This place is amazing in so many ways. First, the general atmosphere is so comforting. One feels immediately the happiness of these children to be there. Having had the chance on the inauguration day to meet many parents, it was also obvious that for them, knowing their girls are in such a loving environment is a huge relief from the hardship or their daily lives.
Ruth, the director of the school is a unique person. She shines in the presence of the girls and one can see how dedicated she is and how she strives to get the best for the girls as well as for their parents in way of coaching them.
I had tears in my eyes when the girls happily and heartily sang and danced on the inauguration day and upon my visit.
All the people I met involved in one way or another with Chicusas Wasi are really involved and caring for the project, which makes it a very viable project. Nevertheless it still needs support in many forms, including financial, as Ruth has great ambition for the girls welfare.
The setting of the school is amazing. Just above Cuzco. The school is very well organised, with food provided to the children, good classrooms, and a diversity of subjects taught, according to age of the girls. Even medical care and dentist check ups are available when possible. People who visit Chicuchas Wasi are usually all ready to help in whatever way they can, because it obviously is a succesfull project that can only bring good to these girls who otherwise would not have this opportunity for a brighter, educated future.
And being a social media addict, it is really nice to be regularly informed via Facebook of what is going on in the school and about the welfare of the girls.

Chimichanga Wasi is one of 3 charities I donate to monthly. Their start up story is amazing- started by a nurse who saw a need and filled it. And continues to fill it on a daily basis.
Updates at least monthly, immediate acknowledgements, always accessible if I have a question or comment.
I truly am confident my day nation goes straight to the school and the girls, and not swallowed by overhead cost.

I had the opportunity to visit Chicuchas Wasi in April 2015. I was humbled on a number of levels. It was wonderful to see an environment that engendered children that were playful, engaging and curious. They were curious about where I am my trek colleagues where from an about our families and countries. One could see a nurturing environment from teachers and other school staff to allow that thinking and other learnings. The school is clearly providing education that is really building strong future members of Peru society. I wish them great success going forward.

Chicuchas Wasi is a fantastic organisation and we wish them all the best. They were introduced to us by our tour guide Efrain Valles and we visit the group twice a year on our tours. The project is doing such incredible work and there is always a sense of joy and enthusiasm from all those involved, not least the girls themselves. We are very privileged to visit the project and we always try to support them whenever we can. Many thanks for the warm welcomes we always receive, it is always one of the highlights of our tours to see the wonderful work being done by your incredible team.

Make a summary of the kindly Chicuchas Wasi activity is something very simple for me, because I have very vivid memories of the moment of its creation in the mind of Rae Lewis.

I met Rae in Lima, on their return from Cusco, by the end of the 1980s, she had attended a gathering with a group of friends engaged in the various expressions of the Andean culture, and at the end of the meeting everyone went to walk by the malecon of Miraflores.

On that occasion she told me that she had come to Peru as a turist. In Cusco she had an impressive encounter with the "street children".

Cusco is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of South American, and she never thought to find so heartbreaking images as small children in such a state of neglect. This childs, very advanced night, gathered in parks and squares of the city in order to sleep making mutual company and mutual protection in all circumstances.

She told me how difficult resulted to her achieve that some of them get closer to her at that evening hours, while on the day time, was so simple to watched them play and interact with tourists in many activities ranging from simple trade of sweets, newspapers, shoe shine... in short, all those that we are “use” to see.

Something different was to try that they accept her as a "protective", since adults infuse them great fear at that time. But she gradually won their trust and could make a "pact" with a handful of them, who agreed to receive a plate of hot food a day with the condition to accept to go to sleep in the place that she would provide for them.

In little more than one month she gets together nearly twenty children of different ages and conditions... and also of different feelings. Some of them decided to leave the street in exchange for the offer that they were receiving, in addition to food, personal hygiene (first level of health), and education.

Her determination led her to contact some of the children parents to ask for the motives and reasons to leave their children on so abandon situation on the street. There were explanations of all caliber and very dark silence, that were lost in the inhuman feelings.

Rae came to involve in her cooperative work several people, but their respective wills sometimes did not coincide with her´s and they left her "hanging". And she complained that. However, on the other hand, she had obtained positive response from restaurant owners who were permeable to cooperate with her.

Telling me all this and with my knowledge of the legal reality of the Peru I told her that it would be appropriate that she depersonalize her work in order to avoid falling into side responsibilities that could compromise their future and that of his work.

Her determination led her to contact some of the parents children to ask regarding the motives and reasons to leave so their children on the street.
Rae came to commit his work to several people, but their respective wills sometimes did not coincide with yours and they left "hanging". And she complained that. However, on the other hand, it had obtained positive response from restaurant owners who was raising to cooperate with it.

Telling me all this and with my knowledge of the legal reality of the Peru I told her that it would be appropriate that he despersonalize her work in order to avoid falling into side responsibilities that could compromise her future and work.

As presumably her continued tenacity and so then she acquired a house in the town of Urubamba - Valle Sagrado of Cusco which he called Chicuchas Wasi. Its initial conception was to make it a very special tourist hostel, where the first housed were just the children. They received there food, education, housing and dress, but above all love. In addition, having to learn everything that will help them in the future to interact in society and continue to be good people and prosper.

In 1992 I went with a large group of mountain cyclists friends to make several tours arround Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and we get accommodation at the hostel. Living pleasantly with children, from whom we receive many collaboration and joy. So enjoyable moments of sympathy they were recorded in all of us.

It was remarkable to see them very compromize to their respective student obligations, taking care of their own personal and communal obligations. Always emphasizing the joy and happiness of living under the protective mantle of Rae.

I have witnessed very risky facts and one of them was when the urgency of getting a vehicle that would serve as transportation for when she had to go with the children to visit their natural families, who lived in very remote areas of the provinces of Cusco.

She came to Lima, as she announced to bay a vehicle. With this intent we went to different local sale of second hand, until we find the ideal van.

I warned her that it would be necessary to wait for the transfer formalities to conclude so then take it to Cusco. I had to accept the reality that her tenacity and willingness to serve their children was more powerful than the "paperwork", because they can not wait. And, that same evening she went to Cusco... as if it were just around the corner. Of course, that encouraged me to join her... but I was only a lawyer with obligations and a Saturday cyclist adventurous, while she was off-road adventurous solidarity.

Two days later, I received her call, she had arrive to Cusco with peace of mind, despite her little knowledge of the territory and language, thanks to her vast knowledge of herself and confidence that things would be as God had predicted to be. For me, it was a splendid lesson.

Now, at least thirty year later…I may have more to add & tell about Chicuchas-Wasi until today school for girls…is a magnificent work for the good of them that in other circumstances will receive to little from life.

I think that Chicuchas Wasi is a wonderful educational opportunity for girls in South America. The organization shows girls the foundations of nutrition and family values while giving them an education. I wish success going forward.

I became involved with Chicuchas Wasi as a monthly recurring donor. I picked the organization because I absolutely love their mission and focus on helping educate the indigenous girls in Cusco Peru. I also started following them on Social Media and through a series of interactions with Rae Lewis, the founder of Chicuchas Wasi, I am now a part of this incredible organization. The passion and dedication the volunteers have is amazing! They have come so far with just a few passionate people who give every ounce of their heart to this mission. They say that what you put out comes back to you tenfold. The volunteers, teachers and board of Chicuchas Wasi give so much kindness and love to their project that you can see the fruits of their labor in the beautiful smiles of the girls they teach. Saying Chicuchas Wasi only teaches girls is an understatement. Every girl who learns to read and becomes educated will now have an impact in her family, her community and eventually the world. Thank you Chicuchas Wasi for all you do!

I have been familiar with Chicuchas Wasi and the work that they do for several years now. I came to know about it through one of my dearest friends, who as a girl went to that school and was eventually able to come to the US and make a life for herself here from a background of poverty. None of this would have been possible if not for CW. CW is changing lives for young girls in Peru for the better and opening doors that otherwise would undoubtedly remain closed, through education. They also provide meals and transport to/from school. CW is a wonderful organization and deserves all the support it can get.

I met Rae, their founder, last year and am impressed by her dedication to a) this nonprofit's beneficiaries and b) the future of the nonprofit and its ability to continue serving its target population. We have talked at length about our common challenges (I'm the CFO of a separate nonprofit) and am confident she will find a way forward (as she has already by partnering with a local college).

Chicuchas Wasi is an outstanding educational opportunity for underprivileged girls. This organization not only provides an important education element for their future but a caring, loving environment that nurtures the whole child. The foundations of nutrition, family support and transportation are all components considered by Chicuchas Wasi to make the educational opportunity a success and foster a brighter future. I wish them great future success!

I have been part of CW since the early years and I know first hand experience the dedication and hard work of the founder and board members to maintain this girls school one of the best schools in Cuzco Peru. It focuses on the underprivileged, indigenous girls who have almost no opportunity to obtain an education due to their circumstances.

I have long admired all of the time and energy that has gone into making Chicuchas Wasi the wonderfully enriching school experience for these sweet and eager children who are the fortunate recipients of a free education. They would otherwise have little hope to overcome their impoverished situations. We here in Sonoma are so proud to have witnessed this growth from a spark of the desire to help the helpless to a full fledged academic program of 27 years.

Carol Dickason

It was good the hear that the Chicuchi Wasi project, that was introduced to me some twenty years ago, has become such a success story. It was then that Rae Pieraccini came to the San Francisco office of VARIG Brazilian Airlines and made me aware of the dire situation of the young girls of Cuzco. She explained the project in details and of her plans to open a local school for the poor. She requested assistance from us to transport a large amount of cargo to Lima from California that would be needed to bring the school's program to fruition. What Chicuchi Wasi accomplished in the early years, and continue to do so, is a work of wonder. I feel gratified to know that we were able to offer our assistance and to realize how successful Chicuchi Wasi has become in educating so many young girls for a better future.

Roger J. Pacheco
Sale Mgr. (retired)
VARIG Brazilian Airlines

I have just found and talked to this nonprofit. After much research, I was so impressed with what they do, how much they accomplish, and the fact that only approx. 3% goes to overhead and 97% of the donations goes to programs for the girls! The Founder and the majority of the Board have been doing this work for 27 years and are incredibly dedicated, talented and passionate. I also like the fact that they have an actual tuition-free school,that offers excellent academic studies, as well as personal development and community outreach. They are fantastic!

Having worked in education for over 20 years and with Hispanic populations, I have seen students navigating life changing experiences. I have seen one student after the other gain confidence, survive life challenges, gain employment, and give back to the community with passion. I have seen proud parents, friends and family pull together to support a mother, father or child through school. Their stories teach me over and over again that achieving the impossible is actually possible.

It is with pride that I am now serving as a Board Member of Chicuchas Wasi. CW captured my attention for its efforts to promote gender equity through education and it kept me engaged for the genuine care I found underlying a well-managed and solid organization. Chicuchas Wasi (CW) brings together collaborators from around the world providing access to quality education for young girls from an indigenous population in Peru. The school not only focuses on girls, it also reaches out to family and the community to tackle poverty and provide economic empowerment, resulting in a broader impact. The effort began in 1987 and has been growing ever since. Do join in and help us help others.

I visited Chicuchas Wasi in 2011 and thanks to their posts on Facebook and their regular newsletters I am able to follow their activities from a distance. I love to see both the smiling faces of the girls as they enjoy their life at school and the concentration on their faces as they are studying. I admire the dedication of the Director, Ruth, and all the staff who enable the students to benefit from an excellent education, a nutritional meal programme and even health care in lovely purpose built facilities. The excellent attendance rates indicate just how much the girls and their parents value the education and all the other benefits that the school provides. It is so important to enable girls to stand on their own two feet in life. Their time at the school will ensure the girls are able make well informed decisions about their future, to provide for themselves and their families and make a good contribution to their community and society at large.

I just visited the Chicuchawasi School a few weeks ago during my trip to Cusco. Efrain Valles, my guide on the Inca Trail, told me about the school and his involvement with the organization. I was inspired by the work Ruth and her staff are doing at the school, changing the lives of these young girls and their families. I truly believe educating and empowering women can change the world. Thank you Ruth, Rae, Efrain and all the rest of you for the wonderful work you are doing. What an inspiring organization! Jane Engel

I visited Chicuchas Wasi on my trip to Peru in May. They are doing such important work! And, Ruth's dedication floored me. We will support their work in the future by bringing all Llama Expeditions' groups to visit and make a donation. Go Chicuchas Wasi! Girl power!

I recently had the privilege of visiting the Chicuchas Wasi school, and I was so impressed! I can't imagine the obstacles and challenges that the young female students face and deal with every single day, but they seemed thrilled to be at this school. They were well-behaved, enthusiastic, affectionate (they gave us so many hugs and kisses), and had smiling, beautiful faces that radiated so much optimism and joie de vivre. They clearly have unfathomable potential. Despite fairly short notice, they had prepared songs, poems, and beautiful artwork for us to take with us. It was such a touching, humbling experience. Also, Ruth, the school director, has such passion and love for these girls; it was really extraordinary to see how she interacted with them and how much they love and respect her. I know that I won't ever forget these girls; they definitely deserve a well-rounded education and every opportunity to become independent, thriving women.

I was a Chihuchas-wasi (The Children's Home) volunteer widower as my wife when we were dating devoted hours and hours to the cause of raising funds for her friends charitable organization. We collected clothing for shipment to Peru to help the children's home. Over the years we sold jewelry made by the children, bought jewelry to give as gifts to friends and family, an participated in fund raisers of every type imaginable.

Being friends with the founder, Rae Lewis, we learned first hand of the hard work being put in by so many local volunteers to the Sonoma area, and met the staff who would often visit. We also became like extended family members to Rae's adopted daughter from Peru, Rosa, who is perhaps the best ambassador for the work performed at the children's home. From a humble start, she has been given the opportunity to rise to the level her talent would allow, and is now a registered nurse in Sonoma County. Rosa continues to help family members in Peru and is an example of what may be possible if one is willing to put in the necessary effort.

We volunteered and attended the recent anniversary celebration held at our local senior community center in Sonoma and became re-acquainted with the volunteers we have worked with and have supported all of these years and left feeling that what we did made a difference in this world. Sincerely, Norm Brown, Sonoma, CA

After many years of working as a program director as well as teaching English as a Second Language while working with the Mexian farmworkers in California and a rural, indigenous population in Mexico, I have had many opportunities to witness the great need as well as the great advantage of focusing education on the women and girls plays in the lives of a disadvantaged community. I have witnessed the growth and positive developments of Chicuchas Wasi over the years. Having visited Cusco, known the Project Director, met the Board and Ruth Uribe, I am amazed at their tenaciousness, their tirelessness and devoted attention to a very difficult project. I have also seen many valuable community educational development projects in Mexico fail due to frustration, lack of funding or community and government support. It is because of Chicuchas Wasi’s years of clear focus, hard work, positive outcomes and community support that they have been able to survive and prosper. Bravo! Moona O’Toole

Traveling the world, both in person and with written word, I have experienced the astounding contribution to civilization that 'girl education' is making to the world. One of the best is Chicuchas Wasi in Peru. It is a text book example of how a 'home-grown' organization, ran by dedicated creative people can uplift many lives, and do so by keeping them deeply involved in their culture, but at the same time, making them citizens of the world. You should look into Chicuchas Wasi in Peru.

I first met Chicuchas Wasi founder Rae Lewis over 20 years ago. I marveled then at her passion and commitment to bringing healthcare and education to Cusco's street children, and I marvel now at how that vision has grown, embraced others, and been made manifest in the Chicuchas Wasi Alternative School for Girls. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the organization's work--both as a donor and as a new board member--because Chicuchas Wasi honors girls and women, transforms lives, and offers great hope for future generations.

My wife and I first learned about Chicuchas Wasi a number of years ago, and finally had a chance to visit in 2011. I arrived already convinced that educating and empowering girls in developing countries is the single most powerful means to a healthier and happier planet. Experiencing Chucuchas Wasi in action showed me a terrifically high-performing example of that craft, and told me that here is a terrific investment!

I have been volunteering for many different activities since Chicuchas Wasi was founded over 20 years ago. The founder is a woman who has been a friend to the cause of women and girls as long as I have known her, and we have been friends since 1985. She retired as a nurse and went on a travelling adventure that led to her spending several years in Peru. Chicuchas Wasi started out in Cuzco and took in several children who were living on the streets, boys and girls. They came to live in an environment that stressed hygiene, diet and survival skills that could produce economic viability in their poor environs.

They learned to make jewelry which would be brought back to California and sold at craft fairs and open markets, and the money would be taken back to them in Peru. I can't even begin to tell you how many pairs of earrings we sold and bought for ourselves!

The school moved from Cuzco to a purchased hotel near Machu Pichu where it could accomodate more children and the decision was made to become solely a school for girls, because the female in Peru is very much at a disadvantage in terms of equality of life. Our girls grow into the type of women who will continue to strive for a better way of life and who will support their little sisters.

Over twenty years later, the dedicated people who started the foundation are all still on board and serving without any wages to keep this project growing and it is stronger than ever. Former students help it keep going too. This last year for Christmas we had calenders for sale that were photographed and created by one of the former students. There are beautiful photos of Peru and two languages on them. I am very excited that younger ones are coming forward to take over and keep this wonderful effort going strong. It is all about that quote that means the only thing that ever changes the world is a small and dedicated group, and that is Chicuchas Wasi, changing Peru one girl at a time!

I am glad to support Chicuchas Wasi! My husband and I visited the school at its former location in 2011, and spent a wonderful morning surrounded by young girls so eager to learn! We are so pleased to see that the new school has opened, and that more grades have been added so that more girls can benefit from this wonderful opportunity.

I went to visit Chicuchas Wasi with my parents in 2011. I helped Director Ruth at the school. The girls in the school are so loving and I am so happy that they are being given the chance to have an education. I came home with a true appreciation of the life I have in the United States. I want every girl to have the same opportunities that I do.
Since returning home I have helped at events to promote Chicuchas Wasi so people here can see what good is being done for these girls. Please support Chicuchas Wasi!

I have watched this organization grow over the years and have had the opportunity to visit, most recently in October of 2011. The new facility is a dream come true and I am excited to see what the future holds for Chicuchas Wasi!

I have been a part of Chicuchas Wasi since the beginning and I can't tell you how rewarding this experience has been! We are into our second year of school at our new facility and just completed the Global Giving challenge to be accepted on their website. Follow our progress on Chicuchaswasi.org, Chicuchas Wasi Cusco Peru on Facebook and at @Chicuchaswasi!

With the new Chicuchas Wasi school now in its second year, I found it a wonderful and moving experience to be able to look back over the last quarter century to see how far CW has come from its humble beginnings. I highly encourage you to visit the Chicuchas Wasi website and peruse their comprehensive photo gallery. I am convinced that you will come away with a profound appreciation for amazing accomplishments of the dedicated CW volunteers. The photos beautifully express the undeniable, life-affirming joy they bring to the girls of Chicuchas Wasi.

I love visiting the Chicuchas Wasi website and seeing the photos of the girls. 2013 is the second year in their new school and especially for the older girls, how exciting for them to experience this long-anticipated dream come true. Parents volunteer at the school, helping at special events, working on landscaping, and I think what great role-modeling this is for the CW Girls to see their moms and dads involved at their beautiful school and so committed to the girls' education.

While hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu our guide, Efrain Valles shared with me the meager beginnings of what has become the non profit, Chicuchas Wasi. Efrain was a street kid, saved by founder Rae Lewis and he refers to her as his Mom. He has a college education, a beautiful young family and a successful career. His passion for Chicuchas Wasi is contagious and he pays it forward by working on the school, donating and fundraising. I wanted to see the school when we returned to Cusco, so Efrain arranged for Ruth Uribe, the school director to pick 3 of us up. I was so excited to see the girls! The school was very impressive, well layed out, clean and organized. The small group of younger girls doing art outside the classroom all got up and ran to greet Ruth and you could clearly see how much they love her. We were surprised to find in another outdoor section they had planned a special greeting for us. All the girls looked sharp in their uniforms and they were in rows by grade. We stood before them and they entertained us with songs, dance, a poem and presented us with cards and drawings they made. We were moved to tears! They were so happy, loving and gave us big hugs. Afterward it was lunch and they had a healthy, hot cooked meal in the cafeteria/kitchen, which had a beautiful view of the mountains. I am excited for these girls and the oppurtunity they are provided through the Chichuchas Wasi school. The gift of education by a caring staff will expose their strenghts, self worth and free them to be independent, confident young women with boundless possibilities!!

I recently visited this incredible school and I was almost brought to tears by these beautiful children and there amazing teachers. We could see such great work being carried out by these students. The facility is improving all the time and we as a group were so thrilled to supply the children with much needed items to help in there education. What a wonderful job those teachers are doing and hopefully the school can continue to grow into the future.

I've chosen to support Chicuchas Wasi because I respect the people behind this organization and trust in their leadership to maintain extremely high standards. Education is a key in improving the lives of all children and when girls are denied this right, the whole community suffers. This nonprofit has grown and changed over the years, and will continue to do so, to meet the needs and enhance the lives of all the girls and young women in its reach.

So glad that these girls can receive an education and can hopefully go on to live full lives and help other girls in their community.

Jackie and Bob Smith

This is a wonderful educational opportunity for young Andean girls who besides living in poverty are often abandoned due cultural attitudes toward women. This educational opportunity offered by Chicuchas Wasi prepares them to better deal with these issues as adults, improve their individual opportunities, pass the value of education to their children, and ultimately alter social views about women.

No act of charity makes a more profound, long-lasting impact than education. That Chicuchas Wasi offers knowledge and academic training to those who would not otherwise receive any makes it particularly powerful and effective in my eyes.
Many of my options are a donor are "shiny" celebrity-endorsed or time-contingent (e.g. disaster recovery) efforts, which, while very exciting, typically have limited impact and involve a lot of waste in marketing and overhead.
A donation to Chicuchas Wasi is not a hat tip to a flash-in-the-pan charity that will disappear tomorrow; the organization has been around for as long as I have been alive (25 years)! What's more, Chicuchas Wasi is small, targeted, and straightforward. I love that I know exactly where my money is going and what purpose it serves.
I am so glad to have discovered this- what a treasure!

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!

I was fortunate enough to visit the Chicuchas Wasi school in 2007 while traveling to Peru. My mother-in-law, Rae Lewis, is the founder of Chicuchas Wasi so I had heard about how she and Ruth Uribe started this organization and how it evolved to it's present day focus of helping young girls acquire necessary scholastic achievements to continue their education. During my visit in 2007, I witnessed first-hand how this program helps so many young girls. It was evident that the Chicuchas Wasi project not only values education, but the project also plays a critical role in giving an opportunity for a better life to young women. Seeing the girls smiling faces in the classroom, proud to show examples of their school work, and the genuine enthusiasm of the teachers, it is plain to see Chacuchas Wasi is a worthwhile cause and makes a difference in the lives of so many families.

Chicuchas Wasi is a non-profit school maintained solely by charitable donations. Here, impoverished girls (who would otherwise receive no education) become equipped for work and independence. Many of them come from families who are illiterate, which means that the girls have additional needs that Chicuchas Wasi strives to meet. They learn basic life skills and receive a free meal each day. The school even funds free dental care for pupils.
Chicuchas Wasi recognises that pupils often have troubled family backgrounds and support is provided by social workers, psychologists and parent-support classes, which are run by the specially trained and highly committed teaching staff.
We all visited Chicuchas Wasi while touring in Peru and were impressed by how much the girls love learning and take pride in their academic achievements. They recognise the importance of education and how it will transform their lives. Each girl realises how fortunate she is to be a pupil at this school, since many needy cases are turned away, due to limitations of funding.
Some of our members first visited the school several years ago, when it was housed in a tiny building in Cusco and taught just 30 pupils. We have witnessed the massive progress and growth made since 2009. Last year Chicuchas Wasi moved to a purpose-built primary school which now accommodates 115 girls including a new 6th grade in enrolled in 2013. The building is of a high standard with classrooms, dining room, bathrooms and playground and the girls and the teaching staff are understandably proud of their school.
This wonderful development work has been funded entirely by charitable donations. However, this source of income is now almost exhausted. The education provided at Chicuchas Wasi, combined with classes run by special counsellors, social workers and psychologists, health and dental care, is extremely expensive to fund. We are very concerned that, without State/Government support, the school will not be able to continue to meet the needs of its pupils.
We sincerely hope that additional funding for can be found for Chicuchas Wasi, which is a tribute to the ambition and hard work of the Peruvian people.

My mother founded Chicuchas Wasi many years ago, and I have participated in many Chicuchas Wasi events, fundraisers, and Peru trips over the years. I have seen the workings of this organization from a unique perspective, and I have seen the great impact it has had on many lives.

It would be hard for any 18 year old American to understand why his mother is picking up and moving from California to Peru, but it didn't take long for me to realize what had changed the course of her life: many children in Peru who were in great need of basic care. That was over 25 years ago, and since its founding, Chicuchas Wasi has grown into an amazing network of people who dedicate themselves to selflessly helping the children of Peru. Thank you all for all that you have done. The number of people touched by your work has never been calculated, by I know it is many.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit the previous school site while school was in session. What I witnessed was an environment where the students were visibly full of joy and pride. The staff was very engaging and it was clear that the students felt cared for. It is easy to see that the work being done in the school goes beyond the desks and textbooks. Positive change begins with small steps, and the girls at the school are taking the steps to a better future on a daily basis. Behind the scenes there are people like you who are helping these girls along.

I met Rae Lewis over 25 years ago in Sonoma, Ca, when she had this wild idea about starting a non-profit to help needy street children in Cusco, Peru. The challenges of starting such venture in Urubamba was not a barrier to this amazing woman. Without knowing much about the place and what to do, she forged ahead with the belief that her mission was worthwhile pursuing. She has learned a great deal about Peruvian bureaucracy, about being a foreigner starting a non-profit in Cusco, and about sharing her vision with a committed group of worldwide supporters who have helped realize her vision over the years. Rae recruited Ruth Uribe, an exceptional school director whose extensive educational experience, deep understanding of the plight of children in the Andes and fierce defense of quality education for all children has build the foundation for this dream school. Ruth is a motivational and able administrator who oversees a team of truly devoted teachers. After many years of growing the roots of Chicuchas Wasi, Rae has finally realized the construction of a school for girls. It is a dream school because in the Andes, poor families do not send girls to school, and their hopes for an education is lessened by a system that does not provide the educational impetus to empower girls to succeed with the belief that they can becoming a professional, an engineer, a lawyer, a professor, a doctor, even a president. The multiple obstacles that female students face to attain a post-secondary education are greater, and their education is not as important as their male counterparts. Chicuchas Wasi has created strong educational ripples that have touched many deeply. We have seem the growth and development of these children into intelligent, complex and strong human beings with an urge to help others, with the support of a global family. Chicuchas Wasi is an example of an organization whose heart and hands are for and by the people of Cusco and the region, but whose eyes and ears are for all to share and contribute to the dream. This is an exceptional organization that deserves your care in whatever way you can offer it because it will continue to break new ground in the education of children for years to come. Luis Kong, EdD.

I have had the privilege of knowing Rae Lewis for over 25 years, and I have watched the evolution of the programs in Cusco and the Sacred Valley as it became the wonderful girls' school that it is today. I have never visited the school, but I know Ruth, Efrain and the other local people who are the heart and soul of the school, which is so much more than that. Chicuchas Wasi is really an inspiring, sorely needed investment in the future of these young girls, their families and their communities. I am very touched to have been a very small part of it all these years.

While I have volunteered for Chicuchas Wasi in the past, the majority of my experience is witnessing the good they do for the children of Peru. Their amazing dedication to the under-served young girls in the community of Cusco is inspiring. They are always hard working, always focused on the children.

i first went there in 2008 to volunteer. i'm from Italy and knew about Chicuchas Wasi while in London as i met one of the regular donors! i was so excited as i had been told that it would have been an unforgivable experience but as i got there the whole stay has been beyond my expectation. the little students are so lovely and smart! they are taught through education and love how to develop their skills. you would never say they are living or coming from critical living conditions! they just keep on smiling to you and you can see in their own eyes how comfortable and self confident they feel! the hard work all the stuff is doing is being payed off! i had the chance to understand what the foundation means for the community not just for the little girls! parents and relatives are helping with manual labour when needed, constantly attending Ruth's meetings and always asking her for an advice!a friendly and special atmosphere is all around the school!every year i go back for a visit and since 2012 i'm a board member. i DO recommend everyone is traveling to peru to take the chance to visit this little reality where you can realize that through love and education we can change the world!

We visited Chicuchas Wasi in 2008, before the new school was built. We were on a Traidcraft Meet the People tour and our guide, Efrain, told us about the school and we asked to go. The only opportunity was on a Saturday, and all the girls, their parents and siblings came to school especially to meet us. Efrain had described the work that Ruth and the other staff do to support these underprivileged girls, and it was so good to meet them all and to see for ourselves what a difference this outstanding education makes. The girls confidently spoke to us, asked us questions, and proudly showed us their work. The approach is holistic and they receive much more than simply a basic education; they are encouraged to be creative and thoughtful. Like all children they have terrific potential, but the deep commitment shown by the staff and the parents to these girls means that they have a very good chance of fulfilling theirs.

We visited Chicuchas Wasi during a busy couple of weeks in Peru with a Meet the People tour. The school visit was an optional extra and we were so glad we took the option. What an inspirational place. Our small group got a great welcome. The girls clearly enjoy school and were learning well. It was good for us to be able to bring greetings from small rural schools in Scotland. I hope this school continues to go from strength to strength.

Unbelievable achievements against all the odds, delivered in a caring and empowering atmosphere, involving the girl students and the parents, particularly their mothers, who themselves are empowered too.