Tupe

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The damage of the earthquake that struck southwestern Peru on August 15, 2007 was devastating for the peripheral community of Tupe. Tupe's population, like so many others in Peru, suffered the worst of catastrophes: they were forgotten.

The poverty in Tupe, coupled with their location deep in the Andes, renders the town practically invisible. Places like this exist outside the spotlight, and do not receive adequate support from the government or other aid organizations. They are a marginalized population, which in the context of a disaster means that their suffering goes unheard, since they are not "connected" to the world.

The impact of the earthquake in Tupe can be seen all over the community. The church and cemetery collapsed. Much of the community continues to live in ruins, with the constant fear that their houses may collapse from the damage. In addition, the community is forced to confront another grave problem: their only school was completely destroyed.

Little by little, the people, alongside local authorities, are working to rebuild the school and to implement provisional classrooms in order to continue classes as soon as possible. The teachers and families are waiting anxiously to be able to redevelop the infrastructure that the community's children need and deserve. They are the first to recognize that education is the most powerful tools for combating exclusion and poverty.

SOLAC's most recent trip to Tupe, in April of 2008, brought two computers, books, and school supplies for the school's library, all of which were requested by the teachers and families. SOLAC seeks to continue supporting the community's needs.

DONATIONS are necessary to reestablish safe living conditions and to continue with the vital reconstruction of Tupe's school and education program. We invite you to help.

The video that follows was filmed and produced in 2008 by Ann Swanson, in collaboration with SOLAC.

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