“Once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack”.

Germany Kent

Project Update

Dear supporter,

So! Here we are in February 2024 already! It’s flying by isn’t it? I hope the year started well for you and your loved ones and brings good health to you all.

The year was kicked off in Peru with an abundance of positive energy from our 3 lovely families who came with us to volunteer at Mama Cocha for 2 weeks over the new year and into the beginning of January. Our group ranged from young children aged 4, 6, 8 and 9 to energetic adults aged between 18 and in to their 70’s! And what a team it was…really showing, no matter what your age…what your experience….you can make a difference and be a part of something bigger.

It was the first volunteer programme we have led since pre COVID and despite the feeling of ‘starting from scratch’ as so many of our original organisations / houses / hostel’s etc that we used on previous trips, had closed over the pandemic, it was a huge success!

When people cry as you say good bye because they don’t want to leave, after 15 days of being together through all the laughs, tears and challenges the group trips throw at you as a team, you know it’s been good and that transformation has occurred!

We hiked Machu Picchu; drove off road buggies high up in the Andes; played on Inca slides; swam with turtles; ate more mango and avocados then we thought humanly possible; embraced a 2 day Clown Dr workshop that made us all stop, think, feel humble, laugh hysterically, cry, come together as a team and feel grateful…and, most importantly, meet and support our Mama Cocha families in Mancora! We built a standing station for lovely Lian and donated a wheelchair to the very deserving Sofia, we made hammocks for quiet time and boxing bags for young lads needing an outlet; we made a sensory walking bridge and decorated Emersons brothers bedroom as well as donating a bunk bed so they have their own space (previously they shared an old broken single bed) and motivated some of our families to be proud of who they are.

Sometimes, we all need a helping hand and what the trip highlighted was the importance of being told, YOU CAN!

It was an uplifting experience for the volunteer team and the Kiya team and gave new hope, energy and strength to our children and their families. At the leaving ceremony where we presented certificates to the volunteers and small gifts to all the children as well as share a HUGE orange Mama Cocha cake, many of the Mums came up with letters of gratitude and home made souvenirs for the group, it was a very touching moment that was summed up by one Mums words:

”We felt invisible with our daily struggles and silent tears. To be seen, laugh, play and cry with strangers, it makes us feel strong and whole again. There aren’t words to express the gift this week has given us. Thank you.”

LET’S DO IT AGAIN! Yes! We are doing it again …in 2025 the same team is coming back! AND, we have a new group of new families already discussing a summer ‘25 programme with us….

Families helping families. It’s a rather marvellous thing!

Love and peace from myself and the team. Thank you for your belief and ongoing support of our work.

Suzy Butler

Founder & CEO

VOLUNTEER WITH KIYA

New year, new challenges!

We are now running our individual and family volunteer programmes again!

Hedu, our onsite Manager of 24 years, and myself, Founder and CEO, have personally sourced and put together programmes to suit solo travellers and groups, wanting a unique and bespoke experience, combining seeing the best of Peru whilst making a hands on difference, with support every step of the way.

We are only offering 10 individual placements a year (2 have already been booked up!) and 1 family group programme a year.

Programmes start at just $30 a day including B&B and a donation to Kiya.

Any questions or if you’d like to sign up, contact us here.

HELPING DREAMS COME TRUE….

Whilst in Cuzco with the team, we spent some quality time with Yelson, Juan and Matilde.

These young adults have worked so hard, have learnt what family is despite a hard beginning and are truly, wonderful humans that deserve the same opportunities as any of us.

They are all keen to improve their English and are studying hard. Matilde is in her 2nd term at the English academy now and thriving.

We want to fund raise enough to bring them to Spain and the UK for an intensive English course and work experience in a bakery and a hotel in 2025.

They’ve never really left Cuzco, let alone got on a plane! So this would be a dream come true for them and provide them with life experience that will help them progress in their careers and live a totally independent life.

Please help these deserving young people reach for the stars and see what the rest of the world has to offer! They have welcomed us, volunteers and visitors into their lives over the years and given so many people, some truly wonderful memories…. let’s give them an adventure of a life time and let them make some memories of their own!

Please donate whatever you can to our DREAMS CAN COME TRUE fund raising page.

Thank you so much for supporting these amazing humans!