Sponsor a child
We currently have a Sponsor a Child scheme set up with the Villa Maria pre-school in Lima, Peru.
We ask for a minimum of one year’s sponsorship, but ideally a commitment of five years to funding a
child’s education will have a significant impact on their education and future prospects.
Villa Maria is a shanty town of over 650,000 people in Lima, Peru. The Villa Maria School was founded
in 2004 to offer a quality education to local children and a focal point for the community. In 2008 there
were 48 students enrolled at year end but the school has the capacity for up to 120 pupils.
La Vida has committed to fully supporting 26 very disadvantaged children at the Villa Maria pre-school
for the first 5 years of their education. In 2008 we gave US$7,880 to the school, which principally funded
these scholarships but we also funded a new computer lab, library and activities area with new equipment
for the school. For more information, take a look at the Facebook group set up by the class - ‘Grupo Becados
La Vida Villa Maria‘ where you can see photos and video clips of the school and children.
In 2009 we have set up a pilot scheme whereby individuals can sponsor a child directly for £180 per year or
£15 per month. We have 20 sponsors as at the beginning of the new school year in March and this means 20 more
disadvantaged children will be able to attend the school. Sponsors will receive information on the child they
are supporting and regular updates on his or her progress. We are hoping to extend this scheme in the future
– please let us know if you are interested in sponsoring a child by email at sponsorachild@lavida.org.uk.
The school has also been given a donation from First State’s Maitri Trust for some specialist equipment
for cooking and science activities. The school has a number of other projects on their wish list – please contact
us if you have any fundraising ideas!
YouTube Related Videos
Villa Maria School, Lima, Peru - introduction to the kids on
their first day - Click Here!
Video of the children opening the kitchen equipment and their
first cooking lesson
- Click Here!
Pupils practising for the Mothers Day show
- Click Here
And this is the Mothers Day show itself!
- Click Here!