PROGRESS IN PERU!

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,
The poverty that is faced by the children and families with whom we work is hard to fathom. Some families have limited or no access to clean water and electricity, and many families live in a small, single room that serves as kitchen, dining room, and bedroom.
Since Corazon de Dahlia opened our Center for the Promotion of Child & Family Development in Saylla, Peru on June 4, 2010, we have been providing academic and social intervention to indigenous people who are struggling to make ends meet.
In our first six months of operation, we have begun to fill new bookcases with books and educational materials. We are running an after-school program for a core group of students in-need of support, and hosting monthly workshops for adults struggling with alcoholism and domestic violence.
We are excited that our services will be expanded from 3 days per week, to 5 days per week. We look forward to bringing on more staff and volunteers to run the center at its full potential, making a lasting impact on the community and the individuals we serve. We need you now, more than ever, to ensure that the children and families at our center are supported.
Help children, like 11 year-old Elmer, who lives in a one-room home with his parents and two younger sisters. Elmer’s teachers say he’s shy, often refuses to speak, and neglects his homework. His mom is rarely home, and he is left alone to take care of his sisters. Elmer helps his mother sell adobe bricks, and at times has to sell them by himself. He says he loves his mom the most because his dad gets drunk and abuses his wife and kids. Children like Elmer need a safe and nurturing space, like the one that Corazon de Dahlia has provided. Elmer’s parents need the services that our psychologist is providing. Help us to ensure that families like Elmer’s are not ignored.
Last year, we met our year-end fundraising goal of $10,000 because people like you chipped in to support our cause. This year, we hope to meet a year-end goal of $25,000. We are already almost half way there.
You can be the one to make sure another teacher is hired, or that our psychologist takes on more hours.
You can be the one to make sure that a struggling reader walks into a bright room filled with books after school.
You can be the one that makes sure a child experiencing physical or sexual abuse at home has somewhere safe to go, and someone to talk to.
You can be the one who gives a child the opportunity to learn English, learn computer skills, do art projects, and improve his or her social skills and academics.
You can make the difference.
You can help Corazon de Dahlia to create a program that will serve as a model to other communities in need across Peru, Latin America, and some day across the world.
Please share this letter with the people in your social network. Tell them about our work. We hope that this holiday season, you find it in your hearts to support Corazon de Dahlia.
DONATE NOW
Thank you,
Dahlia Graham