Nexos Comunitarios Annual Projects Report 2017

Nexos Comunitarios

NEXOS COMUNITARIOS ANNUAL PROJECTS REPORT

2017

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CONTENTS

Glossary About this Report Message from the Founder Nexos Comunitarios Lunch Program in Piura Media Luna Rural Tourism Projects in Cuncani [A] Sustainable Homes Project [B] Experiential Tourism [C] Traveling Soap PhotoVoice Our Partnerships Financial Report

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GLOSSARY Economic Empowerment

The development of access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other skills development and market information (OECD, 2018)

Interculturality

A set of multi-faceted processes of interaction through which relations between dierent cultures are constructed, aiming to enable groups and individuals to forge links between cultures based on equity and mutual respect (EU, 2016)

Human Capital

Human capital is productive wealth embodied in labour, skills and knowledge (UN, 1997) Human Development Human development is the process of enlarging people’s choices, Their three essential choices are to lead a long and healthy life, to acquire knowledge and to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living (UN, 1997)

Human Rights Rights to which a person is inherently entitled, regardless of nationality citizenship, race, ethnic origin, language, gender, sexual orientation or abilities (UNDP)

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ABOUT THIS REPORT

“This is a comprehensive project report that provides an overview and evaluation of Nexos Comunitarios (NC) projects in 2017. This report covers the background of our organization, brief history of past projects, our partnerships with the communities, organizations and institutions. As well it demonstrates the accomplishment of our development projects”

The aim of this report is to provide a general background of Nexos Comunitarios (NC) and a summary of our projects in 2017. We have dedicated to serve our projects in three different communities; Piura, Media Luna, and Cuncani. Each project entails a vision alongside the values of Nexos Comunitarios in promoting responsible human development of local communities.

Piura:

- Lunch Program partnered with local NGO Tantay Yanasu

to serve children in emergency situations with healthy meals.

Media Luna:

- Rural Tourism Circuit as a way to encourage local income generating activities.

Cuncani:

- Sustainable Homes Project to improve health standard of the households.

- Experiential Tourism Project to promote economic empowerment in the community

- Traveling Soap to promote health/hygiene education

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amongst children.

This report also covers the PhotoVoice, a Participatory Action Research (PAR) that documents and reflects community realities.

Furthermore, it will explain our partnerships with local and international universities and the financial report of the year.

This comprehensive overview of each project and the research tool will provide the reader with the accomplishments and challenges of the NC’ approach, as well as the next steps for the organization.

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RESOURCES Types

Name

Authors

Website

Date

Online Resource

Nexos Comunitarios

Official Website

Nexos Comunitarios

www.nexos.org.pe

Up to date

Online Resource

Nexos Comunitarios

Word Press

Nexos Comunitarios

https://nexoscomunitarios.wordpress.com/

Up to date

Online Resource

Nexos Comunitarios

Vimeo

Nexos Comunitarios

https://vimeo.com/user36576030

Up to date

Research Paper

The Future of Cuncani - The Important of Human Rights & Interculturality

Nexos Comunitarios

https://issuu.com/nexoscomunitarios/docs/ _published_the_future_of_cuncani_-_

02/01/2016

Power Point Innovative Solution to Global Slide Show Health Challenges

Maricarmen Valdivieso & Laurent-Charles Tremblay Levesque

https://www.scribd.com/document/ 289839423/Innovative-Solutions-for-GlobalHealth

Toronto, 2014 (Presented at Pegasus Conference)

Power Point Slide Show

Community-Based Responsible Human Development Model: How improving Health is the First Step in Promoting Human Rights

Maricarmen Valdivieso & Laurent-Charles Tremblay Levesque

https://www.scribd.com/document/ 289839461/Kuychi-Wasi-Cuncani-and-Q-aliWarma

Toronto, 2014 (Presented at Pegasus Conference)

Research Paper

Multidimensional Poverty Index - Choquechancha Report

Nexos Comunitarios

https://issuu.com/nexoscomunitarios/docs/ mpi_in_choquecancha_-_2016__first_r

08/30/2016

Research Paper

Clean Water For All? A Case Study On the Role of the D4field Water Purification Technology In a Peruvian Rural Community

Gámez Trentanni, Jessica Carolina

https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/search/ publication/8168521

11/11/2015

Report

PhotoVoice Report: Kantaya Experience

Nexos Comunitarios

https://issuu.com/nexoscomunitarios/docs/ final_report_kantaya.docx

05/06/2016

Online Resource

Media Luna Tourism Circuit Word Press

Nexos Comunitarios

https:// turismoruralmedialuna.wordpress.com/

Up to date

Online Resource

Dreams to Beams

Official Website

Dreams to Beams

http://www.dreamstobeams.org/

Up to date

Online Resource

Main People

Official Website

Main People

https://mainpeople.com/

Up to date

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Nexos ComunitariosMESSAGE

FROM THE FOUNDER

A Decade in ‌ and Only the Beginning.

Maricarmen Valdivieso Back in 2009 we made our first visit to Cuncani to explore the community and its province. At the time, our initial thoughts to partner with the community for a development project resulted in one conclusion -- if we decide to work here, even the slightest changes will take more than a decade. And at the time, it was unanimous that we had neither the willpower or the capacity to spend 10 years -or more- in one community.

Fast forward four years, in May 2013, and the team of NeVo -- the forebearer of Nexos Comunitarios -- started planning how we would transfer our projects out of Urubamba and work exclusively in Cuncani. The project were underway with the first Lunch Program in Cuncani after years of request from the community. The project was far-reaching and well-received although it seemed more a measure of humanitarian aid than a sustainable project for our program and Cuncani together. Four years and the program has led to many more.

Now, we sit just shy of a decade on from our initial Cuncani visit. A decade. That same period of time we thought we could not properly invest in a single community. Truth be told, it's only been four years of actual partnership in projects. The change for them has come with change for us. We reduced our team from 10 to 4 staff persons, from two offices to one home office, and the commute of 10 minutes in Urubamba is now 3.5 hours and 5.5 hours for a return trip. Change is well underway, helping Cuncani and helping us. Our goal from the beginning has been to combat poverty, and in this spirit, there has been no better decision we could have made.

Throughout these years, we have learned a lot, specially that the development process in communities like Cuncani should take into account their reality and the reality of all actors, that in one way or another, have an impact on their lives. We say we need to have a micro and a macro perspective at the same time. As learning has been tremendous, there are three constant conclusions we have had alongside:

- Poverty can't be combatted if populations like Cuncani remain isolated and excluded; - Culture needs to be taking into account if development projects want to successfully implemented.

- Partnerships are beneficial dependent on the equal and committed participation of all those involved.

It's been four years in Cuncani but this is just the beginning. We have a long road to go, but we are convinced the road is not that foggy anymore. This is a report of our projects during the last year, our first year report. We hope you enjoy reading it and learning more about our organization.

What is coming next? Quiet a lot. Cuncani is counting on us and we hope we can count on you too.

Sincerely, Maricarmen Valdivieso

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NEXOS COMUNITARIOS

OUR ORGANIZATION

Nexos Comunitarios (NC) is a Peruvian non-profit civil association, formed by a group of citizens, professionals, committed to reducing poverty in isolated communities within Peru; and in promoting a better understanding and true respect between dierent societies and cultures (nationally and internationally).

NC was created to continue the work of Nexos Voluntarios (2006-2013).

OUR GOALS

Facilitate Human Development The organization works with microcosmic Andean communities by building human and social capital as a means to attain long-term sustainable and responsible human development

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in order to end the cycle of poverty.

Promote Diversity NC promotes interculturality to stimulate a better understanding of other cultures through our programs and projects. The genuine reciprocity of all stakeholders ensures harmony between all actors and facilitates development.

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OUR DEVELOPMENT MODEL NC applies a development model that encompasses strengthening three essential factors: ‘health’, ‘education’, and ‘economic empowerment’, in order to attain ‘Responsible Human Development’ in a community.

While facilitating three intrinsic components, NC emphasizes maintaining a high standard of

‘interculturality’ and respecting ‘human rights’ through every course of action. Sound cultural awareness and sincere respect for individuals are indispensable values for promoting sustainable human development.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human rights are fundamental elements for establishing healthy living for all. However, Peru has suffered from the violation of human rights all

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throughout its history.

Persistent inequality and depreciation of geographically marginalized populations are still prevalent to this day. Thus, while promoting projects, NC is diligent on recognizing the importance of the space for locals to acknowledge and address the issues concerning human rights.

INTERCULTURALITY NC values interculturality where people interact with respect and appreciation of

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different cultural backgrounds. It is essential to form an intercultural and inclusive environment to foster open, respectful, and horizontal dialogue with all actors involved in the developmental process.

OUR VALUES NC promotes development based on the five shared values

HEALTH

NC puts health as the first step to responsible human development.

Maintaining a healthy life is central to acquiring happiness and well-being. Poor health can limit productivity and can become a barrier to development.

EDUCATION

Education is a vital instrument to accumulate human capital because it can expand opportunities for individuals. NC not only values providing academic education, but also necessary education and skills specific to community lifestyles.

We believe knowledge is a powerful catalyst for bringing positive social change.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

To end poverty cycle, NC focus on the development of access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other skills development and market information of the local households.

Freedom

Responsibility

Reciprocity

Interculturality

Service

All our efforts take into account freedom as the point of departure and arrival of all our work.

We account for our activities and decisions and we take responsibility for them. We hope that the parts we work with will work in the same way.

Building horizontal relationships between parties. Reciprocity allows the parties to take interest in maintaining and reinforcing existing relationships, in which projects are developed.

The relationships we establish between groups or people with different cultures are based on horizontality. Reinforced by the perspective that none is better than the other and all must be truly respected.

We see service as the work of the soul.

“Arranging and helping can be part of the work of the ego, and the serving is the work of the soul". (Rachel Naomi Remen)

(Nexos Comunitarios Website)

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WHERE WE WORK Piura LUNCH PROGRAM

Cuncani SUSTAINABLE HOMES PROJECT LOCAL TOURISM CIRCUIT TRAVELING SOAP

Media Luna LOCAL TOURISM

Nexos Comunitarios

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LUNCH PROGRAM PIURA DESCRIPTION

On March 2017, severe floods hit Piura, a northern region of Peru, causing devastating effects to the residents and leaving many children with inadequate food.It has reported that 315,317 people were affected by the flood (UN Country Team in Peru).

Because NC values health as a requirement for building opportunity, we responded to this emergency by borrowing prior experience of nutrition promotion in Andes communities and implemented the lunch program with the local NGO, Tantay Yanasu.

PIURA

The population of Piura suffered from flooding in March this year, resulting in thousands of people losing their possessions. Victims who were already poor are now in worse states of distress.

Though reconstruction is slowly occurring, health problems have begun to emerge. Many children started suffering from malnutrition and anemia due to a scarcity in proper food.

With the partnership with a local NGO, Tantay Yanasu, NC organized the Lunch program in the town, "Mala Vida”, a small

city located in the Cristo Nos Valga district, in the department of Piura. This area was severely affected by the floods.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the Lunch Program was to ameliorate poor nutrition in school children by December 2017 through offering daily healthy lunches. Adequate access to healthy meals improve the nutrition of the children and prevent child suffering while their city rebuilds.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

March, 2017 Devastating flood hit Piura.

PIURA 5 MEALS PER WEEK 207 STUDENTS April ~July, 2017

5 MONTHS

IN TOTAL.

20,700 MEALS

Planning for the lunch program in the town "Mala Vida”

Tantay Yanasu A non profit organization with a vision to execute development projects, including the lunch program: “Mejor Nutición, Mejor Futuro (Better Nutrition, Better Future)” for the people in need, particularly in Piura (Mala Vida).

August, 2017

Lunch Program started

Better Nutrition for 207children in Piura - Peru!

Through Global Giving, NC and Tanya Yanasu raised US $ 7,200 to support our partnered lunch program

August ~ December, 2017 20,700 meals were delivered!

US $7,200

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HISTORY OF NC LUNCH PROGRAM

NC initiated the Lunch Program in 2013 to combat malnutrition in Cuncani, a community in the Andes.

Malnutrition derives from insufficient nutrient intake and can be a great obstacle to a child’s physical and mental development. A malnourished child can suffer from stunting, wasting, or being underweight. At the same time, it can reduce the child’s capacity to think, learn, and develop social or communication skills.

NEXT STEPS

Despite the termination of the Lunch Program due to financial and sustainability limitations, it has been proven to be effective and successful for combatting malnutrition in children.

Moreover, the program was well received by the local school and families.

Thus, NC envisions to bring back the lunch program with a renewed project design that will continue fostering healthy child development.

The impact of the program was evident. From 2013 to 2015, the percentage of children afflicted by anemia dropped from 69% to 4% (“BIG News”, Nexos Comunitarios, 2015).

Moreover, the positive impact can be measured through the responses of families as well.

28% of families reported that their children were poorly nourished in 2013, the percentage went down to 7% by 2015 ("The Future of Cuncani").

Unfortunately, the program ended in 2016 due to the increase in logistical expense costs and decrease in donor support. NC then managed to successfully implement the lunch program with the local partner Tantay Yanasu in 2017.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS PAST EXPERIENCE IN CUNCANI 5 MEALS PER WEEK

2014

Serving 5 meals to 67 students in the school for 10 months

68 STUDENTS 40 MONTHS

IN TOTAL…

54,400 MEALS

School Anemia Level 2013

9%

2013 NC started the school Lunch Program in Cuncani

2015

Healthy Children Children with Moderate Anemia Children with Severe Anemia 4%

2015 Succeeded in reducing the anemia levels from 69% to 4%

31%

60%

96%

Padrinos & Madrinos The Cuncani Lunch Program was supported by our donors “Padrinos and Madrinos (God Fathers and God Mothers)” who donated 40~45 soles per month for each student. This was exclusively used for the ingredients of lunches.

total donation.

TOTAL EXPENSE.

91,090.17 PEN

196,135.600 PEN

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2016 ~ 2017 Terminated due to financial constraints

2018 Planning for the new integrated initiative POWER Lunch

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MEDIA LUNA RURAL TOURISM CIRCUIT

BACKGROUND

Media Luna is a small community of 145 families located at about 7 kilometers outside of Urubamba. It is nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is an hour and a half drive away from Cusco.

In 2009, the community approached us to work on a community development project. In 2011, in assembly with the community, we presented a report of the possible opportunities to improve their economy. You can

Access to the full report (in Spanish), here.

After our field research, we presented two options for the community:

- Development of organic agriculture

- Development of rural tourism activity


RURAL TOURISM The community chose: Rural Tourism Activity.

Although the possibility to join was oered to all community members, the final association was formed by 5 members.

You can access one of the first reports of the preparation of the circuit, here.

Throughout the years, Media Luna Rural Tourism Association has received nearly 300 visitors from their website, visit.org and expedia . Moreover, the

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members of the Media Luna Rural Tourism Association supported the first steps to create the Cuncani Experiential Tourism Circuit by sharing their experiences and oering a free visit to their circuit.

WORKSHOPS

Besides all the positive outcomes, this project is becoming a demonstration of how one local community can support other local communities. The association continuously shows commitment, hard-work and compassion towards other communities.

SALT MINE (video)

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the tourism circuit is to empower the members of the Media Luna Rural Tourism association to gain economic access through the sharing of their culture and lifestyle.

Until December 2016, Media Luna received 100% of all the payments made and in 2017, NC added 10% to the regular costs to cover administrative expenses.

WEAVING (video)

MEDICINAL PLANTS

MEDIA LUNA RURAL TOURISM CIRCUIT

The tourism circuit is divided into five activities: 1) Salt Mine Hike, 2) Chicha-making Workshop, 3) Local Weaving & Textile Workshop, 4) Medicinal Plants Workshop, and 5) Guinea Pig Workshop. Every workshop demonstrates and shares the community’s traditions and customs that have been passed down from the time of the Incas.

CUYS (video)

For more description, please, visit their website.

CHICHA (video)

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2009 Diagnosed need-based assessment of the community

22013

2017 2012

The circuit was finalized based on the local customs and traditions

61 Visitors

Visited Media Luna Rural Tourism Circuit

$5,475 SOLES RAISED through total tourism circuit

2015 “Media Luna Tourism Circuit” featured on Expedia

2017 “Media Luna Tourism Circuit” featured on Lonely Planet

45 Reviews

“Interacting with people in Peru” “Warm welcoming people, a must stop” “Once in lifetime experience” “An amazing culture-education experience” “A glimpse of true Peruvian culture, incredible & authentic experience”

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2017 Received the residents in cuncani to experience rural tourism

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PROJECTS IN CUNCANI

PROJECTS

Nexos Comunitarios is committed to actualizing Responsible Human Development in Cuncani through the implementation of a series of projects. Each project is designed to generate positive social change based on the three aspects of NC’s development model: health, education, and economic empowerment, while respecting human rights and interculturality.

A

Sustainable Homes Project

B

Experiential Tourism Circuit

C

Traveling Soaps

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CUNCANI CUNCANI

Cuncani is a small Andean community located between 3,800 and 4,800 meters above sea level in the Cusco region (video). The community belongs to the province of Urubamba, approximately 10km away from the district of Lares. The beauty of the region is reflected in its landscapes, people, and culture. There are 74 households and approximately 300 residents in Cuncani (“Water for All?”, Gámez, 2015). Today, the

everyday life of Cuncani encompasses many traditions from the Inca era.

Since the initial establishment of Nexos Voluntarios, the organization has been working hand in hand with families in Cuncani to combat persistent poverty by tackling it from different approaches.

ISOLATION AND POVERTY

In spite of its natural beauty and traditional way of life,

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Cuncani experiences extreme isolation that is further compounded by limited infrastructure and governmental aid.

The community remains deprived of basic infrastructures such as health care centers, high schools, sewage system, internet access, and phone services.

Furthermore, its geographic location and remote nature give families limited access to sufficient foods and fruits.

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A OBJECTIVES

Sustainable Homes Project

The lunch program from 2013 to 2016 has improved the health of children in Cuncani.

However, one of the main challenges was that the project was unsustainable. There was an urgent need to increase competence in families to facilitate development in a

sustainable manner without NC aid. Thus, NC implemented the Sustainable Homes Project by installing three dierent tools to improve quality of life by having better nutrition, sanitation, environment, and more for all the families in Cuncani.

The three technologies are:

1) Family Greenhouse

2) Chicken Coop

3) Ecological Composting Toilet

Each technology has its purpose for improving lives in a sustainable and aordable manner.

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GREENHOUSE

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Greenhouses support the environment for various types of vegetables to grow on their land. It is an alternative way to improve local production without the use of pesticides.

Also, this technology will allow families to have a better diversity of vegetables and more nutritionally balanced meals.

The vegetables grown in the greenhouses are broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and beats. These vegetables were chosen to support the diet recommended by a nutritionist who had assessed the malnourished condition of the children.

CHICKEN COOP

Installation of a chicken coop serves as a facilitator to combat malnutrition for children in the community. The meat and eggs of the chickens will provide an essential macronutrients, protein, to families. It also has the benefit of being easily maintained because families already have experience in raising livestock.

ECOLOGICAL COMPOSTING TOILET

The ecological composting toilet is an alternative technology to replace the current latrine system.

Traditional latrines implemented

Despite some challenges with time management of and coordination with local families, by the end of 2017, NC…

by the government are not ecological as it contaminates the land and in turn pollutes the vegetables or plants grown on it. This may then lead to the consumption of sick or diseased livestock who eat grass from the contaminated land. Utilizing local materials such as dirt and earth, the new ecological composting toilet would benefit the families by keeping human feces away from the land.

(Ecological Composting Toilet video)

PARTICIPANTS

Nine families in the community showed the interest to collaborate with the Sustainable Home Project.

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• Successfully implemented 8 greenhouses, 7 chicken coops and 1 ecological composting toilet in the community.

• Not only provided the materials to construct the three technologies, but also distributed the first vegetables sprouts and chickens to each family.

•

Conducted the first blood tests and parasite checkups for the participants of the project.

•

Established recording sheets for each family to archive all their harvest from greenhouses and chicken coops.

NEXT STEPS

For 2018 to 2019, NC hopes to provide further training to equip families for sufficient understanding of bathroom construction and to complete the installation of all ecological toilets for households. As well, the continual evaluation of program outcomes through data collection from stool samples, blood tests and selfreported harvest records.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

March, 2017 Implementation of first Sustainable Homes in two local families

8 GREENHOUSES 1,280 Vegetable Sprouts

May, 2017 Greenhouses and Chicken Coops are finished! Chickens and sprouts were provided

7 CHICKEN COOPS 156 CHICKENS Delivered 1 ECOLOGICAL TOILET Health Check (December, 2017) Hematocrit

Hemoglobin

Parasite

66.7% normal

66.7% normal

57.2% negative

33.7% excessive

33.7% deficiency

42.8% positive

Dreams to Beams NOBODY WINS, UNLESS

has donated

US$7,000.00

August, 2017 Construction of 6 Greenhouses, 5 Chicken Coops, 1 Toilet started

October, 2017 Constructions are finished! Chickens and sprouts were delivered.

to support the Sustainable Homes Project

December, 2017

Raised

US$723.33

Conducted the blood tests and stool samples for the families in the project

for Sustainable Homes Project

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B OBJECTIVE

Experiential Tourism Project

Isolation, coupled with the lack of basic infrastructure and professional skills, limit the economic opportunities for community members outside of agriculture and animal grazing.

Responding to the desire of locals to diversify their economic activities, NC has started to work with the families to design the local tourism project. The

objective of the experiential tourism project is to empower locals and widen economic capacity by allowing them to share their authentic lifestyle.

TOURISM

13 families have shown interest in participating with the experiential tourism project. It is designed for visitors to stay one night with a

local family for 50 soles and immerse in the local culture and lifestyle. Families are expected to provide quality hosting services and be active in demonstrating the beauty, culture, and traditions of their Andean heritage.

Just like the Media Luna tourism circuit, 100% of the fees go directly to the local households.

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HYGIENE/ HOSPITALITY TRAINING

We began to organize workshops and training for the families to be prepared to receive visitors in their homes.

As the majority of participants have no experience in hosting, NC has organized the Media Luna trip to allow the Cuncani families to learn the requirements of being a host.

• •

The local families hosted a total of 64 nights for visitors

9 families generated 3,200 soles in total

NEXT STEPS

To complete the registration process of the local tourism organization, NC will dedicate its time and resources to promote tourism using various social media platforms to promote economic empowerment for and improve

socio-economic status for families. Moreover, we envision to develop this tourism circuit as a vital tool to connect Cuncani with the outside world and break the boundaries of isolation.

In the future NC looks forward to the potential of forming cluster tourism circuits between our local partners.

Meanwhile, NC has visited all the participants’ houses to evaluate and provide feedback for their home conditions and hygiene levels. NC carried out a series of workshops to teach each family how to make introductions and organize workshops of demonstrating cultural activities. Activities such as weaving, cultivating potatoes, pasturing animals or cooking to provide quality hosting services and increase satisfaction from visitors.

At the same time, the importance of hygiene is repeatedly emphasized for the families to provide quality hospitality.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS NC provided a list of educational trainings and meetings with the families for them to be well prepared to carry out successful local tourism.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

January, 2017 Members of Media Luna visited Cuncani to introduce local tourism

9 FAMILIES

Participated in the project

64 STAYS

March, 2017 Cuncani participants visited Media Luna Tourism Circuit

Received by families in the community

3,200 Soles

Were generated through tourism activity

February/August, 2017 Students from Western University, St.Francis University, and PUCP University stayed at local houses

October, 2017 Yapui Tourism visit as an initial marketing campaign for Cuncani tourism

December, 2017 Formed the Cuncani Experiential Tourism Association

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C OBJECTIVES

Traveling Soap

The Traveling Soap is a handmade soap exchange project designed for children in Cuncani and Norway to improve hygiene levels by promoting handwashing practices with soaps (Bolteløkka Skole). Childhood has been proven to be the best time to adopt new behaviours.

The workshops at the school provide a stimulating atmosphere to learn about hand washing and other hygienic behaviours, in turn initiating behaviour change. At

the same time, children are potential agents of change inside their families and community.

There are two main goals for this project:

(1) Promote hand washing behaviours with soaps among children to improve hygiene levels.

(2) To connect students from two different communities (Cuncani and Norway) and

promote interculturality. It facilitates mutual understanding of cultures and open-minded mentalities.

HYGIENE

Poor hygiene is a serious concern in Cuncani, where many children suffer from parasites and anemia. The majority of children are unaware of their risks of harbouring parasites and germs (“Clean Water for

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All?”). The education of hygiene is especially important for this community because there is no sewage system and because it is an animal-filled environment.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Hand-washing is a simple action yet it has a significant impact on reducing the prevalence of parasites and sicknesses among children.

Series of workshops will provide the children with knowledge of basic hygiene and the importance of handwashing behaviours. This will ultimately improve their health in the long-run.

•

INTERCULTUALITY

Cultural exchange with the students in Norway is mutually beneficial. Due to the isolation of the community, the children do not have much access to know about other cultures. By connecting the children through video clips and soap exchanges, the children can have a personal connection to children on the other side of the world. This not only encourages children's interest in other cultures, but also provides the opportunity for them to review their culture and increase selfawareness.

Despite some adjustments to the project, it overall successfully carried out three outcomes.

28 children in Cuncani made 86 soaps

• 58 children in Norway made 116 soaps.

• 2 videos exchanged to promote cross cultural dialogue

(workshop video)

NEXT STEPS

To measure hygiene levels and the success of the project, we have adopted structured observations and self-reports from the children. The indicators include data such as how many

children visited the hand washing station to wash their hands with soaps each day, as well as surveys to assess child attitudes towards the importance of hand-hygiene.

After the evaluation of the project, we look forward to adjusting the design according to its needs and consider the possibilities of developing a second traveling soap project.

NC believes that hygiene education in children through engaging in activities like making soaps and intercultural dialogue is impactful for improving the overall health status of the community.

This cross-cultural dialogue will allow children to identify the similarities and differences between both cultures, which promotes the capacity for more open-mindedness towards cultural issues.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

September 2017,

Coordinated with the local Cuncani school and Norwegian school

86 HAND MADE SOAPS created by the children in Cuncani

2 VIDEO CLIPS

to promote intercultural dialogue

October 2017, Baseline research on the children's handwashing behaviours

HYGIENE WORKSHOP to promote health importance

December, 2017 Hygiene education workshops delivered

MAIN PEOPLE has raised

US$707

to support Traveling Soap

Main People is an innovative social media platform connecting people around the world to support local and international non-profit organizations to achieve their goals.

Click the introductory video to learn more!

December, 2017 Workshops with children making hand made soaps

Soaps finished!

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PHOTOVOICE Participatory Action Research

OBJECTIVES

In accordance with the Sustainable Homes Project, NC adopted PhotoVoice as a methodology to gather information about malnutrition in the community. NC applies this methodology to capture the daily consumption within the homes of local families through the lenses of children.

The objectives of PhotoVoice are to:

•

•

Gain a better understanding of the daily eating habits in households through food journals created by students (showing pictures of meals taken by the children)

Promote freedom of speech and support selfdevelopment in children with the joys of photography.

PHOTOVOICE

PhotoVoice is a participatory Action Research (PAR)

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methodology that allows the researched person to become the researcher themselves through photography. It is often applied to identify the specific social issues in communities by adopting the technique of photojournalism.

Unlike acquiring data through traditional research frameworks (interviews/surveys), PhotoVoice allows NC to expand the knowledge of the community’s eating habits

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through student participation.

The outcome is much more meaningful as it portrays physical images of the meals served in their homes. In addition, it creates a horizontal relationship between facilitators and participants, which enables children to freely express their stories through their own unique lenses.

The honest perspectives of the young children would help reveal and reflect the reality of eating habits.

the te at a I t tha y food m e it it s i ecaus b Dario “This t i ike l I . l schoo us” delicio

“This is potatoes and frie I made t d pastas. his at ho

m e .”

Veronica

ACCOMPLISHMENTS •

•

Facilitated a series of workshops with students including explaining the methodology, objectives, and use of cameras, Also created food journals.

Completed 7 food journals created by the students.

NEXT STEPS

With the success of making food journals with children in the community, NC will continue to apply PhotoVoice as a methodology to acquire further knowledge/information about the reality of the community.

Not only is it an useful tool to monitor and evaluate our projects, it respects the participation and empowerment of the locals.

“This is rice and sheep meat. I made it at my house.”

Gravelina

“I am helping my father cultivating the land. We are doing this to grow potatoes. My little sister took the photo for me.”

Francis

FINDINGS Overall, photos taken by the children demonstrate their shared commonalities among their daily meals. In the morning, the majority of the children had bread, corn, potatoes and fruit with milk tea. Because potatoes are the dominant crops grown in the community, it was served in almost every meal. Aside from the potatoes, rice and bread were often consumed by the families as well. Children explained that rice, bread, fruits and the majority of vegetables were purchased at the market because they can not harvest those products in their family farms. Different types of vegetables including carrots, onions, green onions, and peas were observed. However, on average, the proportion of consumed vegetables seemed to be small. The different kind of meats were also cooked at their dining table including, chicken, alpaca, llama, and lamb meat. According to the children, the most common meats consumed were lamb and llama, while pigs and guinea pigs are reserved for special occasions.

Not just the food, children also captured photos of scenery, friends and animals in the community Photo journals, which has helped NC to understand the reality of the daily consumptions and their lives in the community.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2014 Nexos Comunitarios first adopted PhotoVoice methodology in Cuncani

7 FOOD JOURNALS were created by the children

8 CHILDREN

June, 2017 PhotoVoice workshops with the children in Cuncani

participated in the PhotoVoice

Nexos Comunitarios presented

PhotoVoice at

October, 2017 Adjustment of the design of the methodology

PEGASUS CONFERENCE 2014 PEGASUS is an acronym built from the first letters of the themes: Peace, Global Health and Sustainability.

The symbol of a Pegasus represents the essence and spirit of conference to improve global health by fostering peace and sustainability.

November, 2017 With a new design, 8 students have participated to take photos and make photo journals

In 2014, founder of Nexos Comunitarios was invited as a key note speaker to present the lunch program and PhotoVoice approach to build the healthy lives of children in the community.

Visit here to see more information about the PEGASUS CONFERENCE.

Food Journals Completed!!

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PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES

WESTERN UNIVERSITY Received 17 participants in February as a part of #BeTheChange program. The participants have supported our Sustainable Homes Project in building the first chicken coop and greenhouse at a local house.

MCGILL UNIVERSITY Received 3 students from May to June as interns to work on the sustainable homes project and PhotoVoice approach

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY Received 8 participants in February as a part of the #BeTheChange program. The participants supported our Sustainable Homes Project in building the first chicken coop and greenhouse at a local house.

IDEHPUCP

(Instituto de Democracia y Derechos Humanos de la Pontificia Universidad CatĂłlica del PerĂş)

Received 12 participants to stay in Cuncani for 6 days to conduct community-based research on the socio-economic environment of the locals

CARLETON UNIVERSITY Received 6 interns who researched comparative analyses between Cuncani and Media Luna in socio-economic conditions

PURDUE UNIVERSITY Received 3 students from May to June as interns to support us by researching about agriculture, and by developing sustainable homes and tourism project in Cuncani.

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Our Partnerships

THE FUTURE OF CUNCANI

The importance of human rights & Interculturality

This document is the result of a study carried by NC with the support of six students from the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Aairs from Carleton University. This is the first explorative study about Cuncani based on the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI). The purpose of the research was to compare PPI data collected in 2015 with the one from 2013 to analyze change in the quality life of the residents in Cuncani. The report focused on the areas of health, education, economic empowerment, and their correlation with human rights, interculturality and Responsible Human Development. Click here to access full report.

INFORME FINAL DE DIAGNĂ“TICO (FINAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT)

Nexos Comunitarios has further developed the investigation of the community through the partnership with IDEH-PUCP. 12 students from PUCP visited the community in the first week of August. The investigation consisted of structured interviews/ surveys and participatory research (using problem trees/community mapping) with both adults and children in the community to observe the realities of life and local attitudes towards community development. The report identifies education, health, economic status of the community.

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FINANCIAL REPORT FUNDS 2017 Category Amount Percentage

Interlink

#BeTheChange

Puriy

#PiuraStrong

Sustainable Homes Project

Traveling Soap

$23,095.07

$53,756.92

$25,416.62

$7,160.12

$6,990.57

$707.000

19.72%

45.90%

21.70%

6.11%

5.97%

0.60%

Interlink #PiuraStrong

#BeTheChange Sustainable Homes Project

Puriy Traveling Soap

1% 6% 6%

20%

22%

46%

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FUNDS 2017 Category Amount Percentage

Administration Cost 55,176.50 27.61%

#BeTheChange Puriy

#PiuraStrong

$37,677.51 34,360.00 18.85%

Administration Cost #PiuraStrong PhotVoice

17.19%

Sustainable Homes Project

Traveling Soap

PhotoVoice

12,450.00

51,850.00

3,363.00

5,000.00

6.23%

25.94%

1.68%

2.5%

#BeTheChange Sustainable Homes Project

Puriy Traveling Soap

3% 2% 28% 26%

6% 19% 17%

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Nexos Comunitarios NEXOS COMUNITARIOS WILL MAINTAIN OUR VALUES AND EFFORTS TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS TO BRING CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES. “NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. INDEED, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS” - MARGARET MEAD-

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Nexos Comunitarios CALLE CHICLAYO 880, DEPARTAMENTO 204, MIRAFLORES, 15074.

PLAZOLETA DE TORECHAYOC, URUBAMBA, CUSCO TEL: (511) 3939 111 WEBSITE: WWW.NEXOS.ORG.PE

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