Kim & Dave Beck have sponsored a child in Peru for some time and this year took a trip our to visit her.

As we travelled north from the city of Lima, about an hour, we enter the desert. With poor housing on either side of the Highway spreading back as far as you can see towards the hills, we enter the region of Zapallal. On arrival at the school we are given a warm welcome by brother Mark and the team. You could describe the school as an "OASIS" in the desert, with its trees, bushes and plants, which you don't tend to see in the area.

We meet the children in their classes, they get very excited, especially Maribel, who was our allocated child several years ago for our sponsoring. Maribel and Brother Mark gave us a guided tour of the school. The enthusiasm and energy of both the staff and the children was clear to see, as the children danced and played around the playground, the smiles and happiness of them and the respect they showed to Mark and all the staff.

Although the school is very basic, all resources are being put to good use, with nothing going to waste. A NEW computer room with internet access, animal area, breeding rabbits for food and an impressive vegetable glasshouse. Brother Mark also explained that in the past few years they had been able to build additional classrooms on a second level to accommodate extra pupils which now total in excess of 1500 !

It was a wonderful experience to visit Zapallal and to meet our contact. We would encourage readers to make regular donations to this cause having seen for ourselves what an incredible difference the money makes to the lives of, not only the children of Zapallal, but the WHOLE community.

Kim & Dave Beck MAY 2007

A version of this article was also published in the Sainsbury Magazine.