Inti Runakunaq Wasin (IRW), Quechua for "house of the people of the sun" is a local non-profit organization that acts as a haven for children who live in extreme poverty. IRW was renting a small house which supports 50 children who live and/or work on the streets of Cuzco, Peru. We have confirmation that the landlord did evict them on December 26, so that he can rent it to his family.

Of the $100,000 USD needed, $35,000 is needed for the land. We are proud to announce that through funds raised from our events & our donors, we have succeeded in raising the money for the land. IRW has found land and G.A.P Adventures staff in Cuzco are working with IRW in negotiations with local landowners to purchase the land. We CAN make this dream a reality. Timing & money are the issues now. The short term funding of $35,000 will provide IRW with long-term security and hope for the future as they will have land to build a permanent home.

Construction costs are approximately $70,000US. The sooner this is raised the sooner the children can have their home. Our goal of $100,000 will ensure children have a place where they can grow with love and with people they trust. It will also be a place where they may develop into people with strong values, with self-esteem, with dreams and hope for the future.

The staff have found an interim solution. They have found another house to rent in Cuzco which they will use in the interim until funds are raised and construction of the new home is completed. The home is approximately the same size as the home they were previously renting, however it is more expensive and a little further from the center. For those of you know are familiar with Cuzco, it is located near the big Pachakuteq statue that you pass while travelling from the Cuzco airport to the Plaza de Armas. There are many poor children in the area so while some of the children they previously supported will not be able to reach the new home, there are many more children in need of support in the area. However, they will also be evaluating which of the children previously supported are in the most need and look into ways to provide them with bus money to reach the new home.

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Many of the children you see shining shoes or selling candies, cigarettes and postcards live at home and also attend school. However, approximately 35% of children working in the streets are unable to cope with the stress of both working and going to school. This often results in giving up their studies in order to help provide for their families.

Other children leave home because they have been abused, neglected or abandoned. These kids often end up living on the streets of Cuzco , consuming alcohol, drugs and/or sniffing glue to help relieve their hunger pains. In order to support themselves, these children often resort to begging and prostitution.

HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE SUN
Hogar Inti Runakunaq Wasin is Quechua for “house of the people of the sun”. It is a non-profit organization based in Cuzco that acts as a haven for children and adolescents who live in extreme poverty on the streets. The home is open during the day and is run by a staff of volunteer teachers and social workers. Children are given the opportunity to voluntarily drop-in and participate in a variety of classes and workshops that teach them valuable skills including carpentry, handicrafts, shoe repair, cooking, music and English.

The majority of their activities rely on donations. However, the staff often organizes fundraising activities such as preparing foods with the children for the children to sell. Children also sell leather and artisan products they make by hand in the workshops. Proceeds go directly to the children and to help support the center.

For more information about this project, please visit their website here