Here we are going to tell you a brief story of people that made a difference for a whole lot more of people. Curahuasi is the town where all this unfolded, a name you will hardly hear about if it is not because of the project that Stefanie (Belgium), and her former founding partner Valerie started.
Seven years have passed since then, and despite all difficulties, and expected [or not] ups-and-downs, now it’s a thriving social program that counts on the reciprocity of the community, the one they take care of with so much love.
The children are the focus of Oye LENA: toddlers, girls, kids with disabilities, but also their parents who are monthly updated about the progress of their children, prepared to take good care of them and to support them at home.
This video is a contribution of Jordi Shimokawa
This said, we can now explain how and why we, RESPONS and Oye LENA, got in a loving relationship. To be honest, there was no other way. Let our co-founder Alex explain:
“A trip from the non-transcendent to the transcendent
Some years ago we got the opportunity to operate a tourism campaign for the National Tourism Board called Peru, the richest country. One of the locations was the Paracas bay, and we had to find the nicest beach house in town. With a friend as an intermediary, I was introduced to Marita Paly, the owner of the most perfect house for our purpose, after one call, she invited me over to see the place, and the click was instantaneous.
Marita is part of a Japanese family who migrated to Peru during difficult times. Times that later inspired her to do all she can to help others in similar or dissimilar circumstances, like when she worked in favor of illegal immigrants in Seattle. But she still had a dream of creating a project to help children in Peru.
When I heard about that, the magic started to happen, and my trip to Marita’s beach house was becoming really transcendent (almost making me forget about the non-transcendent campaign). I got to know about Stefanie’s project Oye LENA through my business partner, who knew her and told me about it, but at that time I didn’t know much except that it was something exceptional.
That was something I confirmed when I had Stefanie in front of me, the sensation was the one when you question yourself about your life purpose because the other person is so centered and clear that anything else seems superficial and vain. So, the idea was to put Stefanie and Marita in close contact. Days went by, until…
Later on, I got a call from Marita, she was very excited because she met one of Apple’s CEO managing the company’s social responsibility program. That translated into different educational projects between Apple’s volunteers and Oye LENA.
That unexpected connection made me think about how the trip from the non-transcendent to the transcendent is right in front of your eyes but sometimes we just don’t see it because of various issues. However, on this occasion, the outcome is something that makes me very happy and fulfilled.
Thank you, Stefanie, for letting us make a difference, for your inspiration, and for your transcendence.”
Nowadays Oye LENA and RESPONS have the greatest relationship, always looking after each other and finding ways of collaboration. Moreover, Oye LENA produces its own income through its self-implemented B&B and camping ground (Casa Lena), a place we never hesitate to recommend to our dear travelers when looking to experience authentic life stories of the Peruvian people and when looking to contribute in any way to their improvement.
This video is a contribution of the Labrietjes family – Our Orange Happiness
Music by: WWW.BENSOUND.COM
In the current situation of the pandemic, we both kept giving support to those who depend on us (in our case we are talking about host farmer families, guides, drivers and small businesses whose income was cut completely), and we inspire each other and always talk good about each other to thirds when it is about trying to get funded. So this is our way to do it.
If you want to support Oye LENA, find all the information needed at its website, but if you prefer to go straight to action you can donate here.
Thank you so much.
3 Comments
Thank you very much! <3
Thank you Stefanie, you are an inspiration and we are glad our paths crossed