SMALL SOUP KITCHENS

Joshua recovering process

Continuing with our solidarity projects we present the case of Joshua from the community of "Balcones".

Thanks to your donations we can help him with the physical therapies and rehabilitation he need to relieve the pain of the movement of her limbs, we are sure you will recovery soon!

THE ANCIENT PERU: Under the rule of reciprocity!!!

When it comes the administration of the Inca’s Empire (Tahuantinsuyo in Quechua), it is necessary to emphasize the operation of a basic principle: the reciprocity.

The reciprocity

It was common among the peasant communities of the Andean region, before the arrival of the Incas. It consisted in the practice of solidarity and mutual help among the members of a community. For example, the inhabitants of an “ayllu” (a group of families living in the same community), collaborated with each other to plant and harvest in the subsistence fields. On the occasion of a marriage, the whole community helped to raise the house of the newlyweds. The Incas incorporated the principle of reciprocity of the ayllu, as one of the bases of the economic and social functioning of their Empire. The reciprocity was based on the increase of family ties. That is, the multiplication of kinship ties was necessary for the existence and continuity of reciprocity.

Our present day communities

It is a great satisfaction to be still living under that rule. As we are often visiting our communities on the hillsides of Lima, we confirm that a big porcentage of them have a very old administration system that can be compared with the Incas main rule. Everybody is helping each others by organising different activities such as: “polladas”, “frejoladas”, “cuyadas”, etc. (Food sale), All of them based on gathering money in order to help a family or a person in need. This is how many houses are built and many neighbors count on medical assistance.

Our NGO

Reciprocity was created based on helping our Andean communuties living in Lima 7 years ago under the name of a Tour Company (Haku Tours) which is generating the income that is used for running our social projects.

Haku Tours & Reciprocity want to thank you all for the support and happiness you help us to give to our communities with every donation or tour you take.

Muchas gracias!!! :D

Jean Paul Grillo

THE GIFT OF GIVING!

In the past month, we have been very lucky to have some very generous donors from all over the world. From school supplies to back-to-school clothes, their donations helped a lot of students better prepare for success during this school year! Take a look at just a few of the awesome donations and the happy children of several different communities:

 

 

 

We couldn't have done it without the generosity of our donors! If you'd like to donate, please take a look at our Donations Guidelines and contact ong.reciprocity@gmail.com today!



Meygan Ngo
Communications &
Project Coordinator
Reciprocity NGO 🌈

A NEW HORIZON

What a great way to start such a wonderful project. With good energy and attitude. We want to give something very special to our communities, especially our children, encouraging and promoting their education. We started with the construction of the kindergarden, for the children of the community of Bello Horizonte, located in Villa El Salvador. Together we are more...!!

FELICIDAD A LAS FERIAS

Whoever said things don't make people happy didn't see the look on the community members' faces when we brought bags and bags filled with clothes, shoes, household goods, school supplies, etc. Thanks to all of our generous donors, we were able to collect a very handsome amount of items to share with the community of Hijos de Praderas.

However, in order to make sure that community members were only taking the items that they actually needed, we decided to hold feria (open market) to sell the items for a very small price of S/. 1-5 PEN, which is equivalent to about $0.30 - $1.50 USD. Putting a price on the item, albeit very low, encourages community members to prioritize purchasing the items they need. Furthermore, all of the money raised will be directly donated back to the social projects in that same community.

 

This approach was very beneficial as we were able to both raise S/. 534 and continue to build relationships with the community members through personal interactions. The community gathered around in excitement for the feria, and we were so excited to further establish a working relationship with the Hijos de Praderas community. Getting to know the community is critical in being able to successfully implement projects with the help of the community members.

By the end of the ferias, there were few items left that were then donated to the community members that were most in need. In order to decide who will benefit most from the items, we work with the community leader - she is the most aware of the community members' financial and personal situations.

Thank you to all of the donors, volunteers, and community members that made the ferias such a success! 

Meygan Ngo

Communications &

Project Coordinator

Reciprocity NGO 🌈

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

When looking up at the shanty towns, we can see a range of communities: some are developed, some are still building, and some are abandoned. As these human settlements are spread across various districts, it is hard to imagine that this area was once desolate, with no life. The greatest mystery to outsiders is how communities have been able to build roads, houses, stairways, etc. on the steep, rocky terrains of the mountains.

This mystery was unveiled to us in the past month, as the Reciprocity team and our volunteers have been working together with two communities (Pircas del Mirador & Bello Horizonte) to level the ground to build and expand a wawawasi (daycare center) and school, respectively.

Using techniques and traditions passed down from generation to generation, these community members are able to make something from nothing. It is an amazing, complex process that will be summarized:

- Huge boulders from the mountains are burned so that they can be broken down into smaller pieces.
- These smaller pieces are then aligned carefully to create a contention wall that will help prevent erosion and landslides.
- More rocks are added to the area to build a strong foundation.
-The platform is eventually covered with dirt and sand to fill in the holes.

 

Being a part of the initial steps of creating a livable space opens our eyes to so many possibilities. Using tools we've never even heard of allows us to broaden our horizons. It is during these experiences when Reciprocity realizes that we learn so much more from the communities than they do from us.

Meygan Ngo

Communications &
Project Coordinator

Reciprocity NGO 🌈

FROM VOLUNTEERS TO FAMILY

Volunteers are a huge factor in Reciprocity's work with the shanty town communities. As we are a small nonprofit, we really value the time and effort our volunteers put into joining us on Volunteer Days so that we can successfully implement our social projects. We want to give a big thanks to all of our volunteers that have become part of the Reciprocity Family!

Hear from a few of our volunteers to find out what they like best about volunteering with us:

"Volunteering with Reciprocity has been amazing! Not only have I got to meet some wonderful people (both in the community and fellow volunteers), I've seen the hard work that this NGO does and the benefits to the community. 😊  Can't wait for the next volunteer day!" - Mary, Ireland 

"Para mí servir en los voluntariados de Reciprocity a sido una de las mejores experiencias que haya vivido. El sólo hecho de ayudar al mas necesitado resulta siendo una bendición absolutamente gratificante, puesto que el único pago que uno recibe es la eterna sonrisa de quién te lo agradece, y claro un abrazo también, volviéndose este el mejor regalo que recibimos los que ayudamos desinteresadamente, porque los que ayudan de corazón y sin esperar recibir algo a cambio estoy seguro de que la vida les devuelve con creces la generosidad." - Jean Pierre, Peru

"Volunteering with Reciprocity NGO has helped me see another side of Peru that, as a visitor, I never knew existed. I'm proud to be part of a team that wants to help these communities grow, and provide them with a better future." - Mark, United Kingdom 

"It was a privelege to work with one of the marginal settlements of Lima and see their community values. These people can rebuild Peru." - John, United Kingdom 

 "La mejor experiencia en mi vida!! No podemos hacer grandes cosas, pero si cosas pequeñas con un gran amor! Y es aquí en “Reciprocity”donde lo puedes hacer. Desde el primer momento sientes que algo puedes aportar, qué hay mucho por hacer y tienes la suerte de poder estar viviéndolos. La experiencia es increíble y satisfactoria al ayudar a los que más lo necesitan. Lo volvería a repetir mil veces!!!" - Cynthia, Peru

"Volunteering with Reciprocity has changed my life. Initially I was looking to fill an empty weekend while working in Lima. But, after spending a weekend roofing a day care center and painting wood with preservative, the sense of achievement I felt was like nothing I’d felt before. Witnessing the generosity given by families who don’t ask for help and yet struggle to get by everyday, truly makes you reflect on just how you live your life yourself. Giving your time and energy to help these families is one of the most rewarding things you could ever do." - Steve, United Kingdom

If you want to learn more about how you can volunteer, please take a look at our Volunteer Page or email ong.reciprocity@gmail.com!


Meygan Ngo
Communications &
Project Coordinator
Reciprocity NGO 🌈

WHAT IS RECIPROCITY?

One of the five principles that define the Andean way of life is:

ayni - the force of reciprocity.

Ayni, both a noun and a verb, refers to the mutualism between humans and Pachamama (Mother Earth) as well as the reciprocity within human to human interactions. Ayni celebrates how all of the world's energy is mutually connected and interrelated. It is a form of equality in which we lift each other up so that everyone grows.

EXAMPLE OF AYNI:

"A tree is watered by a human, and the tree uses this water to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. The oxygen is used by humans to perform respiration and survive, and some glucose may eventually find its way into products that humans use such as fruits. In return, humans convert oxygen back to carbon dioxide for use by the tree, as well as plant seeds the tree produced to create more trees. The simple of act of watering a tree can also reap in rewards including by not limited to: creating shade, wind barriers, soil anchors, and more."

At Reciprocity NGO, we strive to keep the spirit of ayni alive through our social projects in the pueblos jóvenes. "Today for you; tomorrow for me."


Meygan Ngo
Communications &
Project Coordinator
Reciprocity NGO 🌈