The Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc.

Waiting to receive gifts

Calca is a small village situated in the beautiful Sacred Valley about one and a half hours drive from Cusco.  This is the second year we have meet the children and elderly adults at the local health clinic.  Carla’s mother was a teacher here and has arranged the visits.

Many of these children live in an isolated mountain village about a three hour walk from the clinic.  It is heart warming to bring them Christmas gifts.   We also help many children who live closer to the clinic.  There were over 500 children and older  adults in attendance this year.

Hold on Tight

The procedure here is similar to all the places we visit.  First the hot chocolate is prepared over a wood fire and the food is made ready.  Next the boys and girls are arranged in circles where they are given hot chocolate and bread.  (Wherever we go, everyone must bring their own cup for hot chocolate).

Happy Children

After the refreshments are served, he boys and girls form lines with the smallest in the front and then they receive  toys and clothing.  Afterwords, they exit through the gate.  Finally, the elderly form a line and receive warm clothing.

Three of our volunteers at Calca, grew up in Cuzco orphanages.   It was amazing to see Evelyn, Jessika, and Saddam give back to others in need.

The Peruvian Orphan Fund also  left 100 sets of clothing at the clinic for new children born this year.

We have been visiting  Marcaconga and several poor nearby villages for the past six years.

They are located in a scenic area near several lakes. The elevation of over thirteen thousand feet.  The local economy is mainly agriculture including corn and potatoes .  The drive from Cusco takes around two and a half hours.  Our caravan included one large truck, a van, and three other vehicles.

Our early visits took place in a large room which held about three hundred people, but it soon became dangerously overcrowded.   As a result, over the last four years,  we have been meeting at an outdoor stadium that can accommodate over one thousand-five hundred people.

the  event begins as soon as we get set up.   But first the hot chocolate has to be prepared over a wood fire.  Next, the cakes and rolls are readied.

Meanwhile Carla’s mother leads other adults organizing the boys and girls  into circles where they receive refreshments.  Upbeat music plays in the background creating a party atmosphere.

The stands are filled with mostly elderly adults who also receive food and drink.

Santa walks around the stadium greeting and shaking hands with everyone in attendance.  Lots of Ho Ho Ho’s and Feliz Navidads can be heard.

Meanwhile, the volunteers prepare the children to receive gifts.    The boys usually go first and form lines based on size with the smallest going first.  The clothing and toys for the youngest are placed at the  head of the line and we adjust to the ages and sizes as the children move through.  We repeat this process with the girls.   After each one receives their gifts, they exit the stadium.

Next come the elderly.  They also line up to receive their warm clothing with the women going first.

We help over one thousand-five hundred people here and it takes all fifteen Peruvian Orphan Fund volunteers  as well as the Mayor  and some locals to help the celebration run smoothly.