Christmas with SKIP !!!

As part of last year’s Christmas celebrations, on December 15^th SKIP organised a traditional Peruvian Christmas Party called “Chocolatada” for the families and children of the programme as well as children of the neighbourhood. More than 550 people were awaited.

The children took part in a nativity play and the singing of carols. Afterwards delicious hot chocolate and pantones were enjoyed by everyone. University students (UNT) helped organise festive games, a clown and a magician were there to bring a touch of wonder and amusement to the evening, and a dance group made up of teenagers from the district, added something extraordinary, with the performance of a traditional dance.

Thanks to generous donations from SKIP sponsor, Wilbor Oliveros Cerna, as well as all our local and international sponsors, friends and donors, each family left the party with a bag full of Christmas presents for the kids, sweets and a big panetone. It was a truly memorable festive celebration.

Paseo to Simbal: Fun and community-building with SKIP families

In celebration of the end of the first semester and Peru's Independence Day, SKIP families and volunteers took a well-earned day of rest and went on an outing to Simbal, a small town near Trujillo. For the families, this presented a rare opportunity to travel outside El Porvenir and a much anticipated day of relaxation, since most schools had canceled the scheduled winter holiday in August in order to make up classes after the teachers’ strike in July.

Education in the News

Strike ends in late July (Strike Ends as Teachers and Gov't Sit Down to Talks, IPS)

Peruvian Government to Purchase 250,000 Laptops for Students (One Laptop Per Child News, OLPC & Buy a Laptop, Get Another Laptop Free, New York Times)

Peru builds safer schools after earthquake (New Schools in Pisco to be a Model for Schools in Peru, Living In Peru)

Privatization of Education a Growing Trend (Government Failure in Peru, Wall Street Journal)

Three summits in 24 hours for SKIP

On May 5 and 6, eight very willing walkers succeeded in climbing the three highest peaks in Great Britain (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon) within 24 hours. Teamlife walked approximately 25 miles, ascended roughly 10,000 ft, and drove 450 plus miles all in a single day. To top it all off, they fought with strong winds and sustained rain, but it was worth it as they managed to raise more than £3500 for SKIP!

To know more about the Teamlife 3 Peaks Challenge, log on to www.justgiving.com/teamlife.