My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a former staff member of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, CA. Though it has been several years since I worked there - now retired, I do volunteer when I am able. I was employed for nearly 15 years and was proud of the work Catholic Charities did in the counties from Sonoma to the Oregon border including Napa and Lake. They serve the homeless, immigrants, seniors, and now serving the many in the aftermath of the Lake County fires. If you need assistance in these areas please check the website: http://www.srcharities.org/ or call 707-528-8712.

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.

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I have been on the board of Chicuchas Wasi for 25 years and have been to the school. All board members are volunteers for this very worthy organization started by a California nurse who gave many years of her life living in Cusco to help street children. I have watched it grow and transform from a home for street children to the present configuration of 93 girls in classes to the 5th grade in our new school in Cusco, Peru. It is an honor to be associated with this organization providing an education that would otherwise be unavailable to these indigenous girls. Please see the complete history and current news at www.chicuchaswasi.org and Facebook.

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