HAPPY HEARTS FUND HELPING CHILDREN OF PERU WATCH VIDEO

In January HHF went to Peru with the specific purpose of visiting communities in need, seeing schools that will benefit from our support, meeting children whose dreams we will help to become a reality and develop relationships with socially responsible business leaders that share our vision. Programs in Lima, Chincha, Ica and Pisco were visited and it became abundantly clear that HHF will have a significant impact on the lives of countless children.

Education in Peru

In Peru schooling is regarded as the key to personal advancement. Peru's educational system is challenged by the steadily increasing percentage of young people in its population. Thus, the state must spend a disproportionate share of its resources on education, which is free and compulsory for all children between ages 6 and 15. It is also free in public universities for students who are unable to pay tuition and have an adequate academic performance.

Compulsory education is difficult to enforce, however, especially outside urban areas. Because of extremely large class sizes, inadequate facilities, and poorly trained teachers, the quality of education received by children in public schools is regarded as low. As a result, most middle- and upper-class parents send their children to private schools. Many children in rural areas do not attend secondary school, because of a deficiency of facilities.

Initial Support

All HHF funded programs are education based and consist of a technology component, usually a computer lab, and a sustainability component that empowers as well as develops resources for the community.

Several schools were identified with three set to receive direct HHF support in 2007. HHF is committed to building, rebuilding and repairing these schools providing them with computer labs and a sustainability component that matches the needs of the community.

Joint Venture

Prior to our trip HHF identified AFP Integra / ING Peru as a prospective collaborative partner. ING was the first organization to respond to children's unique needs by immediately reconstructing a school in Chincha and building two schools to improve the quality of life in Carabayllo adding a bakery that, in addition to the bread it supplies to the community, generates needed funds for the school.

HHF and ING Peru recently announced a joint venture to revive and rebuild schools that were affected by the deadly earthquake that struck Peru's south-central coast last year. The programs will begin development in Chincha, Ica and Pisco, the most affected zones during the disaster and will continue in other small cities with extreme poverty.

"ING is eager to establish a long-term relationship with Happy Hearts Fund. We've seen HHF's impressive work around the globe and know that with their experience and support, we will be able to expand our education development and social responsibility programs in a country that desperately needs it," said Bernhard Lotterer, CEO of ING Peru and General Manager of AFP Integra.

The joint venture between Happy Hearts Fund and ING aligns HHF mission to improve children's lives through education, sustainability and technology with ING's global policy in social responsibility.

By matching funds, supplying volunteers and the cultural knowledge necessary to ensure success, ING and HHF is uniquely positioned to help the children of Peru.