Author: Lauren Haas

I’m really excited to share that we have new laptops for some of our kids!

They’ve been trying to attend remote school with laptops that are 12 to 15 years old. We’ve been engaged in a constant cycle of frustrating malfunctions and expensive repairs.

Brand new laptops might seem like an indulgence, but these are kids who are at the top of their class, and who dream of becoming doctors, veterinarians, filmmakers, and chemical engineers. We already have multiple college graduates among our alumni, as well as young adults out traveling the world. With the right tools, they are on track to break cycles of poverty in their families for all future generations!

To many people, these may seem like pipe dreams. I have been told that our program is unrealistic, and aims too high. I have been told that our kids should be happy with hand-me-down clothes, broken junk computers, and high school educations.

Luckily, our directors don’t buy into that nonsense and neither do you! And, thanks to your generosity, neither do our kids.

Our donors consistently come through to provide the tools and experiences these kids need to succeed in the world, and this campaign was no different. In fact, we raised a little more than we were asking for — which is a good thing since the price of the computers was higher than we expected.

Our executive director, Viviana, in her infinite wisdom, chose a sturdy Hewlett Packard model with a good warranty. We purchased three of the computers, and three of our college bound students are testing them for us. If they turn out to be what we want, we will go back and buy two more.

I will keep you posted! Meanwhile, thank you so much for your rich vision and your ability to see that children need more than the bare minimum to break the cycle of poverty in their families.

Outings and adventures are so important for teenagers and young adults.

These experiences our kids the opportunity to learn about the world and build their self-confidence. They’re also bonding as a family and creating a reservoir of positive feelings that can carry them through the inevitable challenges of getting along together in a group living situation.

As many of you know, Doris went to volunteer on a kibbutz in Israel for one year (although the pandemic kept her there another six months!).

She spent most of two years in the desert, doing hard farm work growing organic dates and living in a community of volunteers from around the world.

Here’s her story in her own words for you, with lots of photos!

I am Ray Shael Gutiérres Mamani,

I am now 22 years old , I grew up with the Niños del Sol family since I was 4 years old.

I lived with Mama Kia, after her passing and our going from hand to hand we finally become a family when Viviana and Avishai arrived.

Hello friends.

I am Guadalupe Centeno Tipe,

I grew up at the Mama Kia home since I was 4 years old,. Today I’m 25 years old and I belong now to the Ninos del Sol family with Viviana and Avishai.

Niños del Sol is changing as our “niños” become teenagers and young adults. As in every family we face the gifts and the challenges of growing up.

Jim Cronk is a remarkable man with a long history of connection with Peru and with Ninos del Sol. He’s recently named us as heirs in his will, along with other nonprofits he’s encountered in Peru. It’s so touching and meaningful to be thought of in this way, and we couldn’t be more honored.

I wanted to share some details with you about this exceptional man and his heartwarming gift.

We’re looking for 3-4 self-starting leaders to join the board of our US organization. If that’s something you’d be willing to do, we’d love to hear from you,

Learning in front of computers has not been working well for many kids around the world — including ours. Although the college kids have kept up with their studies, the younger kids need more stimulation and experiential learning.

Hello, Global Family!

We hope you’re all safe and well. For the first time in years, we have nearly all the Niños together. The older youths — who usually enjoy semi-independent living in our Cusco apartment while they attend universities and institutes — are staying with their younger siblings in the Casa in Urubamba.

Before the Coronavirus locked Peru down, the kids had just returned from visiting their extended families on their Summer break. Traditionally, we welcome them back with a trip as a group, so they can return to school refreshed and feeling connected.

Feb 16: East Bay Gratitude Lunch for our friends/ supporters!

This is an open invitation from Avishai to all friends and supporters of Niños del Sol who live in the Bay Area.

We have two new college graduates this year!

This year, after hosting her yoga tour to the Sacred Valley, our dear friend Kristen Stuart returned to spend time with the Niños. She’s shared a wealth of photos so you can see how our Niños are growing into fine young people.

This year, we’re inviting you to send your holiday greetings to the kids (and/or staff) in Peru. We’ll share your messages directly with Viviana, Avishai, and the Niños to fill the casa with love and joy from our Global Family.

In addition, your Giving Tuesday donations will be matched up to $1,750, thanks to a pledge from two of our generous donors!

Your contribution is also part of a beautiful holiday of selfless giving, designed to balance the energy of Black Friday. Namasté.

Dear all,

All our children are thriving, growing, changing. The home in Urubamba with our teenagers is very peaceful and centered; I attribute this to the excellent work performed by Kellye, a young woman showing always love and respect to the children.

This is what mornings look like in our Casa in Urubamba.

We are about $3,000 short this month of being able to send enough money to Peru to cover all the bills (salaries, rents, tuition, etc).

When I was living in Peru 14 years ago, I got to visit my dear friend Mama Kia, and her home that she created for the 25+ street children she adopted.  I helped to work in the garden and received so much inspiration from witnessing her live in pure devotion, love and service. 

We frequently hear from potential donors that “Your cost per child is much higher than other children’s homes.”

Yes, we know.

Many of you who have visited us in Peru donated your energy to help our garden grow. I thought you might like to see the fruits of your labor!

We need just $2060 more each month to cover our expenses. Will you help?

We’ve been living & loving in our home in Urubamba for three years now, and it shows.

Recently I sent some photos that I took two years ago to Kiva, our volunteer, and she duplicated the shots as the house looks now. Take a look!

Recently Viviana sent a first-quarter update to our board members, and she gave me permission to share it with all of you as well. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did!

Our girls face even more social obstacles than the boys when it comes to education, and moving to the big city to go to college can be quite daunting.

The Niños returned from their trip to Lima last night. They left at 1 in the morning, drove 16 hours over the mountains, and arrived home exhausted. But when we asked them if they would like to send thank-you notes to the donors who made their trip possible, they jumped at the chance.