Greenhouse and Health Project Updates

The January trip to Peru was very successful. Becky Fund representatives Aaron Ebner and Michael Cutino met with several people and organizations to arrange partnerships for the completion of our greenhouse and health projects during the summer of 2010. Upon arriving in Peru this June, our team will work together with the Ministry of Agriculture office in Calca, the Institute for Alternative Agriculture, Educa, Desea Peru, Clinica Kausay Wasi, and the Director of Community Health in Cusco.

The agricultural project includes the construction of greenhouses in three rural communities and the implementation of an educational curriculum to teach school children about nutrition and greenhouse maintenance. The health project consists of a community health needs-assessment and the introduction of a wellness training program for rural citizens.

Along with the Rotary Club of Monterey, CA, Becky Fund members will be hosting a fund-raising event at the Monterey Institute of International Studies on Friday, March 12 between 6-8pm. You can now purchase tickets for this event online at http://mintrotary.org/. Please contact us for more information about the event or if you want to get involved in our projects including the spring trip which takes place April 16-30.

Becky Fund video

Summer 2010 Greenhouse Projects

We are extremely excited to officially announce our summer greenhouse projects! The Becky Fund will be partnering with a student organization called Team Peru, from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, to construct greenhouses in three villages of the Sacred Valley. The trip is scheduled to take place between June 15 and August 15, 2010. Fund-raising efforts are already underway, including a collaboration with Global Giving (http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nutritioninperu/).

Next month, Becky Fund Vice-President Aaron Ebner and I (Michael Cutino, Project Manager) will be in Peru (January 4 - January 29) planning and organizing the summer projects. During this time, we will consult with several Peruvian non-governmental organizations, technical experts, government officials, and community leaders to ensure successful completion of the greenhouses this summer. Additional details will be provided upon our return in February. Feel free to contact us with any questions about the projects or to inquire about donations.

Aaron Ebner (tebner@miis.edu)
Michael Cutino (mcutino@miis.edu)

Spanish Translation

We now have many sections of the website in both English and Spanish thanks to University of Alaska student Libby Gebhart who volunteered to do the translation.