On August 15, 2007, an earthquake that measured 7.9 degrees on the Richter scale hit southern Peru, particularly the cities of Pisco, Chincha and Ica.

It leveled more than 30,000 houses in an area that was already extremely poor. PeruEtico and the Piccola Locanda sent an e-mail to friends, Italian associations, ex-volunteers and ex-travelers, with the hope of raising some money. Unfortunately, the earthquake coincided with the Italian August vacation, which meant that most people were on holiday without Internet. The response, however, was surprising: we raised more than $50,000 and organized four deliveries of more than 50 tons of aid to the earthquake zone: milk, rice, pasta, blankets, plastic to build shelters against the cold, etc.

In that moment, the Association was born. We saw that we could and should do something more…and that we could and should do it with you.

A few months later, on April 10, 2008 in Saronno, Italy, the PeruEtico Italia Association was officially formed, with the goal of strengthening and focusing the efforts PeruEtico and the Piccola Locanda had already made since 2004. Public fundraising, donations and project shares help finance the children’s homes and other projects that we support here in Peru.

Bring it on; we’re ready. The Association is more alive than ever. The only thing missing is you, so pass the message on. We’re waiting for you!

Micro-projects 2006-2007
From 2006 to 2007, travelers paid their project contributions – included in every PeruEtico trip – upon their arrival in Cusco, Peru. At the end of the year, PeruEtico consulted the people in charge of the selected projects, identified their most urgent needs, and then gave them the money raised. Starting in 2008, with the birth of the PeruEtico Italia Association, things changed. Now, travelers deposit their project contributions directly into the Italian bank account of the PeruEtico Italia Association, and we choose the micro-projects – still in agreement with the people in charge of the Children’s Homes – ...
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