Alto Peru surf, a beautiful life is possible

I met Diego (center), Director of Alto Peru, last week with my friend Natalie. An Australian contact gave me his details. I didn't know what to expect when I got to the top floor of an old house. On the top of the stairs, a lovely guy greeted me with a happy smile and introduced himself as Diego. He opened the door  for me to another reality, worth seeing it.

Diego created this NGO in 2008 to promote positive values of the children from Alto Peru, in Chorrillos, one of the most conflictive areas of Lima, through the practice of exercise - surf, Sup Race, muay thai, breakdance...) dance, art, photography and culture activities.

There are more than 150 boys and girls already immersed in this creative space organised by Alto Peru. Through those talleres or activities, especially the surf, the children leave the tough life they see everyday behind, enjoying as long as the activities last. The positive effect on the children will stay forever though.

With exercise and art, a child sees the world as a beautiful place to live. As it should be.

Thanks Alto Peru.

Diego has seen the positive transformation of two of the children of the area of Alto Peru, Jesus and Carlos, that are now instructors in the project and the best example for the rest of the little ones.

Jesus Verano (left): "El fue uno de los primeros chicos del barrio que se acercó al proyecto, y nos conocemos además desde mucho antes. Tiene ahora 18 años y trabaja con nosotros en todas nuestras actividades, es un ejemplo para los chicos menores y un referente de crecimiento. Su actitud positiva y alegre es lo que mas lo caracteriza, posee un espiritu y brillo que lo diferencia del resto y le permite relacionarse con los demás muy bien, siendo como un hermano mayor para muchos chicos. Está entrenando fuerte en el Sup Race y el Surf, además de participar constantemente en tareas administrativas del proyecto"

He was one of the first kids who got involved into the project. He is now 18 years old and works with Alto Peru through many activities, His positive and happy attitude sets an example for the children who consider him as an older brother. he is working hard in the Sup race and Surf, besides of helping with the administrative aspect of the project.

Carlos Avilez (right) "Carlos llegó al proyecto hace 3 años y desde entonces ha sido uno de los chicos más constantes y disciplinados en nuestras actividades. Empezó muy tímido y con algunas dificultades para socializar, pero poco a poco se fue soltando y relacionandose mejor con los demás. Desde que descubrió el muaythai y conoció a su nuevo profesor Victor Canto la vida se le transformó, encontró su pasión y una herramienta de crecimiento personal. Hoy es el instructor de la academia y lleva grupos de hasta 20 chicos del barrio, demostrando mucha seguridad y confianza en sí mismo. Ver a Carlos nos hace sonreir y pensar que estamos yendo por buen camino"

Carlos started in the project three years ago and since then, he has been constant and disciplined with our activities. He was very shy and with some social difficulties but little by little he became more confident and interacted with the rest of the children. He discovered muay thai thanks to his teacher Visitor Canto and since then, he also found his passion in life. He is an instructor in the  project and manages with confidence groups of at least 20 students of Alto Peru.

Carlos and Jesus are clear examples that the project of Alto Peru works. When you think of them, it makes us smile and think that it is worth the effort.

Instructor of art with two beautiful girls, one holding her clay figure of a red bird in the nest and the other, my daughter Aurelia, who accompanied me after her school to see other reality, outside the bubble of Barranco. 

 The taller of art is every Wednesday and Friday from 3pm to 5pm. Bomberos de Huaylas, cuadra 2, Chorrillos

Instructors of art with the girls of Alto Peru

Although Alto Peru is doing well in terms of demand (there are more kids interested every week), it needs support with funds to maintain the talleres or activities. 

If you wish to colaborate, please contact Alto Peru through the website www.altoperu.com

Thank you very much