Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Help us Battle Pneumonia in Puno and Cusco

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Although the general media has been focusing on the scant cases of AH1N1 flu in Peru, there is still very little coverage (with the exception of a few brave TV reporters such as Monica Cepeda) of the approximately 140 children who have died this year of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a treacherous complication of the seasonal flu caused by the low temperatures in the Southern part of the country, especially in the Puno region.

According to Peru's Health Minister (Oscar Ugarte), the region with the highest death rate is Puno, followed by Cusco, Loreto and Huancavelica.

In Imata, a village located in Puno at 4,500metres over sea level, the temperatures recently dropped to -19°C (-2.2°F) and the winds were recorded blowing at up to 60kph.

Most families in these Puno and Cusco highlands make their living by farming, especially llamas and alpacas. But the extreme temperatures are killing even these strong animals, and causing acute respiratory infections (ARI's) among the children.

Since most of these children are chronically malnourished, they are very vulnerable to pneumonia, which can easily prove to be fatal.

Now, after a few very good TV reports on the matter, many Peruvians are expressing their willingness to help the children in the highlands. However, due to previous bad experiences, many people are uncertain as to the best way to get their donations to legitimate organizations.

There is a way in which Living in Peru readers can help.

Please join us in donating winter clothes to Caritas Felices Association, which will send a truck to Cusco and Puno with the items collected around the 20th of June.

If you have some old jackets, sweaters, hats, blankets, etc., cluttering up your closet space, now is the time to put these items to good use! We all have articles of clothing that we haven't used in years, why not donate these articles and maybe save a life in the process?

Donations can be taken during normal business hours (10AM-5PM) to:

-Condor Travel Agency (Armando Blondet 249, near Canaval y Moreyra in San Isidro).

-San Isidro: Ugarte y Moscoso 710 San Isidro (behind Salaverry Pharmax)

-Monterrico / La Molina: Las Amatistas 151 - dpto # 201, altura cdra. 7 Av. Circunvalación El Golf Los Inkas (in front of the club, next to the Vivero)

Money Donations can be made through:

Asociación Civil Sin Fines de Lucro Condor Travel- Wings accounts:

BBVA Continental Bank
SOLES            0011-0910-0100127897-75
DOLLARS      0011-0910-0100127889-72  

Living in Peru and the Children of Cusco and Puno thank you!

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

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# chi flat irons says :
9 June, 2009 [ 20:37 ]

We guarantee we provide the cheapest (chi flat irons), (chi hair straightener), (chi hair tools) in the market and 100% Quality Guarantee.

# Wiracocha says :
9 June, 2009 [ 20:48 ]

You bloody imbecile.....take your wares to the mecardo,not here.

# hola1980 says :
10 June, 2009 [ 04:39 ]

All children should be vaccinated. it is common practise in other countrys especially where it is 'cold' to vaccinate all children against Pneumonia.
There should be a vaccination programe.
Have you tried contacting local religious/ charity organistions?
they provide excellent humanitarian aids and i know they can provide blankets  and clothes ect..it is worth asking.
it deeply sadens me to see  innocent children being deprived of the basic human needs such as warmth and shelter.
these children deserve better!
Lets all do something   good today and at least donate something!

# Carolina Morillas says :
10 June, 2009 [ 18:28 ]

I would like to thank you all in advance. Everything helps and remember that adults need to stay warm as well. Older people are also suffering and we are working alongside wonderful individuals who are reaching into their closets and pockets to pay for warm clothes.
Special thank you to Carsten Korch who put us in touch with a whole container of warm clothes from Denmark! Caritas Puno and Cusco will distribute them once it arrives.
Stay happy, warm and healthy,
Carolina
Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
CONDOR TRAVEL

# Lois Janke says :
12 June, 2009 [ 08:19 ]

I am in Trujillo, I have friends from Pennsylvania that are asking to contribute how can they send funds to help??? Let me know, addresses to send or to make an electronic donation by Visa?? and a phone # to confirm this donation...Americans can't send warm clothes, God knows they have more than enough to send...but can support with funds...

# Carolina Morillas says :
12 June, 2009 [ 08:52 ]

Dear Lois,
Your friends can send money to the accounts above and call me (51-1-615 3000 x142) and/or email me (carolina-morillas@condortravel.com) to check that the money was received and with directions. Ask them to put the reference on their transfer.
I am afraid that we don't receive electronic donations.
Thank you so much for telling your friends about this,
Carolina

# WebMD says :
15 June, 2009 [ 10:10 ]

I think this is a great cause for the children, but as a physician, I feel it is important that accurate information be presented.

There is no scientific correlation between cold weather causing pneumonia, the flu or any other type illness. This article states that "Pneumonia is a treacherous complication of the seasonal flu caused by the low temperatures in the Southern part of the country, especially in the Puno region."

There has never been a single case of pneumonia "caused by low temperature."  This would be the same lack of information that many Peruvians have, like not showering after eating for fear of a heart-attack.

# Arya says :
16 June, 2009 [ 12:41 ]

WebMD. Thanks for the feedback and information.. but what we need is donations for these kids and their families. You don't live in the Andes and you don't know how poor these people could be. You are comfortably sitting infront of your desk with your laptop sending your email and playing smart. If you don't like Peruvians way of live and the way we think, feel free to visit other countries.

Thank you to all the ones sending donations!!!

Una orgullosa Peruana!!

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