YASC in Peru: Along the Marañon

Newsletter 1 January 10, 2020

Bienvenido a YASC en Perú! partners with the people of our three IN THIS NEWSLETTER host communities and Minga Peru, our Our Partner…………………….……….. 2 primary partner. Are you ready to make a difference? A bit about Peru……………………….. 2 Are you ready for an adventure? Are Along the Marañon…………………… 2 you ready to make friendships and We are writing to you now because Machu Picchu Extension……………. 2 memories that will last a lifetime? there is already so much news to share. We will try to anticipate all of Amazonas………………….…………… 3 You and more than 70 other people your questions in the Newsletters Puerto Prado…………………………… 3 who have already registered are in for a including information about the many San Francisco…………….….………… 3 spectacular experience. We are so volunteer opportunities to explore as Flights……………………………………. 3 excited and inspired by your well as travel and project details to be Health Prep.……………………………. 3 enthusiasm. explained, so please read carefully. Speaking of preparation…Please hold If you have any questions along the April 2 at 7 pm (east coast) for the first We all know that anticipation is part of orientation video call. Details to way, feel free to email us. the fun and good preparation is the key follow… to success. With this and all the other Happy travels! Newsletters to come, we will help you prepare for the trip and, we hope, get Kathy Edersheim ’87 excited about the adventure that Producer awaits us all. Please read this [email protected] Newsletter and all the other information we share in the next few Danielle Morgan ’00 MSN months. Producer-in-training [email protected] The enjoyment and fulfillment that you will get from this trip will be João Aleixo Approaching Amazonas from the Marañon proportional to the time and energy Director, YASC that you invest in the trip before we [email protected] leave. Our preparation will make us better team members and better

YASC in Peru: Along the Marañon Newsletter 1

Our Partner A bit about Peru For our adventure in Peru is a megadiverse country with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Nauta, we are Pacific coastal region in the west to the peaks of the Andes mountains vertically partnering with Minga extending from the north to the southeast of the country to the tropical Peru. Minga is a non- Amazon Basin rainforest in the east. profit organization that promotes sustainable Peruvian territory was home to several ancient cultures. Ranging from the change for indigenous Norte Chico civilization in the 32nd century BC, the oldest civilization in the communities throughout the Peruvian Americas and one of the five cradles of civilization, to the Inca Empire, the Amazon. Minga strengthens leaders, largest state in pre-Columbian America, the territory now including Peru has organizations, and social networks one of the longest histories of civilization of any country, tracing its heritage representing the most marginalized back to the 4th millennia BCE. communities of Latin America and the The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Caribbean to collaboratively build viceroyalty that encompassed most of its South American colonies, with its social justice with gender equity, capital in Lima. Peru formally proclaimed independence in 1821, and completed environmental stewardship and its independence in 1824. In the ensuing years, the country enjoyed relative cultural identity. The core of their economic and political stability, which ended shortly before the War of the efforts has been the radio program Pacific with Chile. Throughout the 20th century, Peru endured armed territorial Bienvenida Salud! which has broadcast disputes, coups, social unrest, and internal conflicts, as well as periods of 3,000 episodes sharing crucial stability and economic upswing. Alberto Fujimori and his government were information throughout the region. credited with economically stabilizing Peru and successfully ending the Shining YASC was introduced to Minga Path insurgency, though he was widely accused of human rights violations and through Eliana Elias, co-founder and suppression of political dissent. executive director. Since the summer, The sovereign state of Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into we have been working closely with 25 regions. It is classified as an emerging market with a high level of human Luis Gonzales, co-founder and development and an upper-middle income level with a poverty rate around 19 program director, and the team for all percent. It is one of the region's most prosperous economies with an average the planning. You can read more growth rate of 5.9% and it has one of the world's fastest industrial growth rates about Minga Peru by clicking here. at an average of 9.6%.

Along the Marañon Machu Picchu Extension The Marañon River is the principal or July 26 – 30 – Register Now (if you haven’t mainstem source of the Amazon River, already!) arising about 160 km to the northeast Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven of Lima, Peru, and flowing through a Wonders of the World, is an Incan citadel set deeply eroded Andean valley in a high in the Andes Mountains above the northwesterly direction, along the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th eastern base of the Cordillera of the century and later abandoned, it’s renowned Andes, as far as 5° 36′ southern for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse latitude; from where it makes a great huge blocks without the use of mortar, bend to the northeast, and cuts intriguing buildings that play on astronomical through the jungle Andes, until at the alignments and panoramic views. Hiram Pongo de Manseriche it flows into the Bingham III (Yale 1898) “rediscovered” the flat Amazon basin. site in 1911.

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YASC in Peru: Along the Marañon Newsletter 1

The three communities that we will be interested in tourism with activities Flights visiting share the Kukama heritage. such as a trail walk allowing visitors to The group will meet at the Lima, Peru They have been isolated from much of learn more about the rainforest and airport at 8:50 a.m. on July 18. You the economic development of Peru and some of the natural remedies that are must make your own flight are facing increasing environmental abundant in the area. Puerto Prado also arrangements to and from Lima. There challenges especially pollution. has a “health promoter.” are non-stop flights from many cities. Domestic violence has been a problem If you are flying in on July 18, we in all the communities. San Francisco recommend that your flight arrive at the airport no later than 6:30 a.m. to Minga Peru broadcasts its show to all enter through immigration, etc. Your the communities and has helped train passport must be valid for 6 months women leaders called Promotoras. after entry and you need proof of a There are also Corresponsales, student departure flight. A free tourist visa is leaders, in each place. issued on entry.

Amazonas San Francisco is the largest community The program finishes in Lima on July This riverside community has a with 400 people and four Promotoras. 26 or July 30 if you are on the population of 300 people and Minga is It is about a 30 minute boat ride from extension. If you need aplace to stay, currently partnering with four Nauta. Minga has been working in this there is a Wyndham hotel at the airport community promotoras. The primary community for almost 20 years. as well as many hotels in the city school has 50 students and the secondary school has 30 students. As The primary school has about 60 Where do we meet? In LIMA! the community is looking to grow its students and the secondary school has YASC is taking care of your flight to Iquitos.) income generation opportunities, about 30. The community faces all the Minga is supporting a new community same challenges although it is Health Prep initiative in the creation of fish farms noticeably more built up including There are immunizations near Amazonas. The majority of the having a church on the hill and the recommended for travel to Peru. We community is self-employed working in “zoo.” cannot provide medical advice, so we agriculture, fishing, and artisan work. In all three suggest that you consult your doctor communities, the regarding immunizations. It is best to Puerto Prado women artisans do this several weeks before the trip, make baskets and since some vaccinations are other items from administered in installments and locally sourced some medications may take time to reeds. They are eager to discuss order. The Yellow Fever vaccine is in marketing and learn about business. limited supply in the U.S. This area of Some of the women have expressed an Peru is considered a malarial area. interest in learning some English to Your producers took anti-malarial Our second location, Puerto Prado, is a help with their business negotiations. pills during the planning trip. For 20 minute boat ride from Nauta. It is a general information about community of approximately 75 people Given that these communities are only immunizations and health issues, you with three Promotoras. There is a accessible by water, a potential can visit the Center for Disease primary school with about 28 students construction project (or 3) for YASC is Control and Prevention website Peru and older students travel to a to improve the existing paths and stairs information page. Also, remember to neighboring community for their that lead to the communities from the bring a sufficient supply of all your secondary studies. The community is river. regular medications (don’t forget the extension time, too.)

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