Located in a sprawling shantytown on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, the Los Martincitos Senior Citizen Center goes quietly about the business of fulfilling the most basic of daily needs for approximately 145 indigent elderly. Participants often live alone in harsh conditions, with little or no family support. Elderly abuse and neglect are common. Many suffer from debilitating medical conditions and very often have a hard time getting to the center which necessitates home visits from staff whenever possible.

Traditional crafts made to sell at the market

The center offers a hot and healthy breakfast and lunch; access to limited medical care by visiting nurses and physical therapists; and counseling from the staff. Social activities include exercise classes; arts and crafts programs; dances; occasional field trips; and visits from local schoolchildren and volunteers. Activities are often designed to build up the seniors’ self-esteem and to make sure that for at least a few hours a week, they have a safe haven away from often heart-wrenching living situations that most of us cannot even imagine.

Volunteers helping with a building project

Los Martincitos exists almost entirely on donations and volunteer assistance. Director and Founder Antonio Palomino Quispe (Tonny) and Sr. Jacqueline Glessner (Jacci), accompanied by an enthusiastic staff, somehow manage to keep the center going, but it is often a day-to-day struggle. There is a lengthy waiting list for those who want to participate, and on days the center is closed, the majority of the seniors must fend for themselves. At the present time, there is only enough money to keep the center open three days a week.

Current monthly expenditures run approximately $1700.00 and the center is in dire need of transportation and other supplies. In October of 2009, FWOP forged a Memorandum of Understanding partnership with the center. It is our hope that through volunteer assistance and the running of an on-line indigenous store, we can assist the center in its day-to-day activities, and hopefully keep the doors open for at least three days a week. The on-line store will offer unique arts and crafts made by the seniors themselves, as well as other items representative of the local Andean culture.

The vehicle they want to buy to help seniors

Acquiring a vehicle would be a huge help in day-to-day operations, and would allow for more home visits for those who cannot physically come on their own. One of the E’s of Future without Poverty is empowerment and by assisting the center in acquiring the necessary tools in order to keep the center open, we are helping to satisfy that portion of our NGO’s vision.

FWOP ambassador Kalynn Van Wye will be visiting Los Martincitos beginning in early 2010 and will help to facilitate the needs assessment of the center; create a Los Martincitos blog to keep everyone apprised of the group’s progress; and help to set up the on-line store which will also include other partner programs within the FWOP global community.

Making jewelry to help support their needs

Kalynn Van Wye is requesting that FWOP helps to raise $1,700 a month to provide the needed services and to raise $3,000 to help purchase a local vehicle that can help transport seniors to the center. Some walk several miles to come to the center when it is open. Your donation can make a difference in the lives of these seniors. Click here to donate