Internet Access & Education for Peruvian Kids
Donation protected
During the pandemic, education has been extremely limited for many Peruvian students due to not having internet access to participate in distance learning.
Valentin Baca Baños, our amazing partner and tour guide in Peru, is a native Quechua speaker from the region who has made it part of his life's work to improve education in the surrounding communities through various social projects his company supports.
He has worked closely with many villages throughout Peru's Sacred Valley in helping to build schools and meet other educational needs. Currently, he is helping these villages obtain internet access for learning.
A little bit more about the context of access to learning...
The Peruvian government provides classes both via radio and online with their "Aprendo en Casa" or "I Learn at Home" program. This is how most children will be expected to learn through the end of the year.
Yet, internet services are prohibitively expensive for most families, and in the mountainous region of the Sacred Valley, they're unable to get a radio signal.
This means that in order to learn, families spend 2-3 hours walking up a mountain with their children just to get a radio signal and most kids are too exhausted for learning by the time they reach the top.
Many families have basic smartphones, but cellular data is also far from affordable. For the children to learn, they need access to WiFi internet services.
This project began with Valentin's idea to raise funds to help bring internet to the village of Patacancha so that 250+ students can access the internet resources they need to learn.
After putting our heads together with Valentin's international friend, Jennifer Robitaille, we've decided to aim higher in order to provide internet services to surrounding communities that also lack resources.
The cost to provide internet installation with an antenna and router along with monthly payments for one year is approximately $900.00 USD. This is for one router, which will be installed in a communal area of the village where the children convene for their studies. Though not ideal, this is far more accessible than a daily hike up a mountain for a radio signal.
Our goal of $10,000 USD will provide internet services to 11 villages for one year with each family being asked to make a small contribution of 5 soles ($1.50 USD) per month toward services.
We invite you to further the learning opportunities for the children of the Sacred Valley with your support.
FAQS
Q: Why is this GoFundMe organized by Melissa Renzi?
A: Because of the GoFundMe country eligibility rules, Valentin cannot set up a GoFundMe campaign from within Peru. Melissa is fundraising on Valentin's behalf and will transfer all funds to him at the completion of the campaign.
Q: Will you be providing follow-up and updates?
A: Yes, we will be posting updates so you can see the impact of your donation on the students ability to learn with accessible internet.
Q: How can I contact Valentin?
A: You can reach out to Valentin with questions through his website www.ValentinsPachamamaJourneys.com
Q: How can I support the cost of one month of internet?
A: After installation, the cost of one month of internet is the equivalent of approximately $65.00-70.00 USD (230 Peruvian Soles), if you'd like to consider this in your donation amount.
Valentin Baca Baños, our amazing partner and tour guide in Peru, is a native Quechua speaker from the region who has made it part of his life's work to improve education in the surrounding communities through various social projects his company supports.
He has worked closely with many villages throughout Peru's Sacred Valley in helping to build schools and meet other educational needs. Currently, he is helping these villages obtain internet access for learning.
A little bit more about the context of access to learning...
The Peruvian government provides classes both via radio and online with their "Aprendo en Casa" or "I Learn at Home" program. This is how most children will be expected to learn through the end of the year.
Yet, internet services are prohibitively expensive for most families, and in the mountainous region of the Sacred Valley, they're unable to get a radio signal.
This means that in order to learn, families spend 2-3 hours walking up a mountain with their children just to get a radio signal and most kids are too exhausted for learning by the time they reach the top.
Many families have basic smartphones, but cellular data is also far from affordable. For the children to learn, they need access to WiFi internet services.
This project began with Valentin's idea to raise funds to help bring internet to the village of Patacancha so that 250+ students can access the internet resources they need to learn.
After putting our heads together with Valentin's international friend, Jennifer Robitaille, we've decided to aim higher in order to provide internet services to surrounding communities that also lack resources.
The cost to provide internet installation with an antenna and router along with monthly payments for one year is approximately $900.00 USD. This is for one router, which will be installed in a communal area of the village where the children convene for their studies. Though not ideal, this is far more accessible than a daily hike up a mountain for a radio signal.
Our goal of $10,000 USD will provide internet services to 11 villages for one year with each family being asked to make a small contribution of 5 soles ($1.50 USD) per month toward services.
We invite you to further the learning opportunities for the children of the Sacred Valley with your support.
FAQS
Q: Why is this GoFundMe organized by Melissa Renzi?
A: Because of the GoFundMe country eligibility rules, Valentin cannot set up a GoFundMe campaign from within Peru. Melissa is fundraising on Valentin's behalf and will transfer all funds to him at the completion of the campaign.
Q: Will you be providing follow-up and updates?
A: Yes, we will be posting updates so you can see the impact of your donation on the students ability to learn with accessible internet.
Q: How can I contact Valentin?
A: You can reach out to Valentin with questions through his website www.ValentinsPachamamaJourneys.com
Q: How can I support the cost of one month of internet?
A: After installation, the cost of one month of internet is the equivalent of approximately $65.00-70.00 USD (230 Peruvian Soles), if you'd like to consider this in your donation amount.
Fundraising team (3)
Melissa Renzi
Organizer
Forest Park, IL
Valentin Baca
Team member
Jennifer Leal Robitaille
Team member