Simone Heemskerk is a 48-year-old woman from the Netherlands, who studied filmmaking and worked as a journalist. After traveling to Peru eight years ago, she and her friend Jolanda Buets founded “Por eso Perú!”, to promote the recovery of the pachamama and offer a natural pantry of vegetables and grains.
Simone had arrived in Peru, specifically Cusco, to attend a friend’s wedding. On that occasion, she was invited to visit the community Sasicancha, which inspired her and Jolanda to create their foundation.
“They started to set up the first of the many orchards that they now have distributed in 11 communities above 3,700 meters high”, said RPP Noticias.
The surplus of the vegetables they grow also serves as a source of income to the community and offers them remarkable improvements in the medium term. The idea is to offer training to the people so that the association can become self-sustainable in the near future.
“We are far from welfare because that affects self-esteem. They have to change their lives”, said Simone. She also believes that if you just give everything for free, as gifts, you will never be able to change anyone’s life. “At first, I wanted to give everything away, but that is not the solution”, she adds.
To Simone, the most complicated part of the work is to keep the focus on the project’s objectives, which is achieving a healthy nutrition in the communities.
To guarantee food security, they work with the community who build greenhouses and plant in the gardens. In addition to the agriculture and cooking classes, they often remodel the school’s kitchens or install new ones.
(Source)
(Cover Photo Pxhere)
Don’t Miss:
“The Colors Of Trujillo”: Photography Project Of The Streets Of The City
Congress Will Evaluate Project To Consult Peru’s Indigenous People
Now that you're here:
We're asking you, our reader, to make a contribution in support of our digital guide in order to keep informing, updating and inspiring people to visit Peru. Why now? In our near 20-year journey as the leading English-language source on travel in Peru, we've had our fair share of ups and downs-but nothing quite like the challenges brought forth in the first quarter of 2020.
By adapting to the changing face of the tourism and travel industry (on both local and international levels), we have no doubt we will come out stronger-especially with the support of our community. Because you will travel again, and we will be ready to show you the best of Peru.
Your financial support means we can keep sharing the best of Peru through high-quality stories, videos and insights provided by our dedicated team of contributors and editors based in Peru. And of course, We are here to answer your questions and help whenever you need us.
As well, it makes possible our commitment to support local and small businesses that make your visit an unforgettable one. Your support will help the people working in these industries get back on their feet once the world allows us to make our dream of enjoying everything Peru has to offer a reality again-from its mouthwatering gastronomy, thriving Amazon and archaeological wonders such as Machu Picchu.
Together, we will find a way through this. As a member of our community, your contribution, however big or small, is valuable.
Support Traveling & Living in Peru from as little as $1 - and it only takes a minute. Thank you!
