Bono wrote a letter to Ollanta Humala: "It has major obstacles to Machu Picchu"

Before leaving Peru, musician wrote a message to the president in which he promised to return with guitar in hand.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bono concluded his visit to Peru. However, before leaving, decided to write a message to President Ollanta Humala . In this, the U2 frontman recognized as good work of the Peruvian president and some politicians that accompany it, "the finance minister (Luis Miguel) Castilla ."

The letter of Bono Vox, you can see at this link reads as follows:

"Mr. President Ollanta, please send your best wishes to my family and me. We know how committed you are to the fight against extreme poverty in Peru: 15, 30, 50%. We welcome this and we are delighted to have traveled to this charming country in times of favorable changes. We know you have to climb obstacles larger than Machu Picchu, but we will be there to celebrate when you reach the summit.

This was a family trip and I hope the next time we meet it with a guitar in my hand in Lima. Someday. The last time we fail to put together the itinerary. Perhaps there could have a coffee, tea or something stronger.

Please know that ONE, our foundation has about three million members worldwide. They fight for the poor and against corruption that keeps them in that state. We are also particularly involved in the extractive sector: working with mining groups to be more transparent. (The light of day, the sun, as always are the antidote to illuminate the dark corners) (...) Even though sometimes the hard way, we hear you're a man of open mind and you have good people with you as the minister (Luis Miguel) Castilla.

Our love for his wife Nadine, her daughters and her son too.

God bless you. Bono " Thursday 01 march 2012 - 09:02 am

Social inclusion: a real challenge in Peru

The Challenge-Social inclusion

People living in remote rural areas in Peru are still using kerosene lamps to light their homes because they cannot source other types of energy. However, kerosene and candles are more expensive in the long run and can have a negative effect on children, such as breathing problems

Solar energy

It has been estimated that Peru has favourable conditions for the development of solar energy projects, yet the country’s solar potential has not been fully exploited, especially in the mountains. In these locations solar energy reaches average levels of more than 6 kWh/m2/day, which is amongst the highest in the world. 

Solution

Our objective is to implement micro-solar energy sources in rural areas and promote social inclusion in these communities. The solar products are desk lamps and home lighting systems. The lighting source comes with a solar panel, battery, wires and mobile phone charging kits. The products are designed to be functional, easy to use and long lasting.

Benefits

Rural communities, as well as schools and medical centres, can benefit from inexpensive and clean environmentally friendly lighting systems. In terms of budget, these products are more accessible than a wind power turbine, solar panels on roofs, kerosene lamps and candles.

Social responsibility

People living in remote rural areas do not have enough spare income to purchase these solar energy products. Given this context, we are seeking sponsorship or donations for solar products, running projects in specific locations across Peru. By implementing clean energy, local people gain self-sufficiency, take care of their environment, engage in community development and reduce health risks for children.

Sponsorship

Your Donation will be highly appreciated as we currently have a project to benefit 500 hundred families in the rural central region of Peru where help is needed. If you are interested in our objectives please contact us to receive more information about it.

You make a difference in helping others

I arrived in Lima this summer and to join the VIDA programme.  I have to said that I was amazed by the professionalism of Inka Magik members have displayed all the way through from my arrival to the airport until my induction before taking me into my placement. 

Once I arrived to the project out of the skirts of Lima, I met the project leader Carlos, who introduce me to other fellow members and volunteers from other parts of the world. Indeed, my expectations were challenged once I realise that my comfort from my Western standards will not be met in full over here in Ventanilla but it is not all about me, or was it?. 


I was stunned by the local people warm heart in having somebody around them who could help them in supporting to move forward their communities.  Thus, I understood that my challenge will be starting from nothing material but from the most basic element which is knowing how to interact and developing relationships with other people. 


Basic things means also transmitting knowledge and make people understood their selves by knowing that people like us from the Western world are not different than them. We all have needs and at some point we prioritise wrongly what the meaning of these needs means to us.

What I am gaining from my time here, it will remain in my life and I do not regret at all my decision in helping out this community because it gave me also a clear understanding on how to approach my own community back at home.

Talking about the VIDA project and the youngsters and families from this community are amazing because are eager to learn and to provide an educational space in their lives. I am learning also in the workshops some carpentry skills and have thought young people a safe alternative to at risk situations, helping to improve the quality of their lives by coaching them.

Carlos, the project leader has a very positive attitude and he is trying his best to provides us with the appropriated support and materials. 


Local youngsters from this communities like any other worldwide one are full of questions and fears in order to approach their development especially when they do not have peers or relatives to turn to. Thus, I become the personal coach of Mateo and my goal is to improve his self-esteem, some times it comes to my mind the phrase 'nobody is a prophet on its own land', meaning back home my own brother will not listen to me, but what Mateo does to try and to learn it makes me think about the skills I have in order to reach others. 

I have not finished my placement yet, still two months to go and I am also changing in becoming better as a person in all senses and without doubt I will recommend VIDA to anyone who wants to learn more about him/herself by helping this fantastic community, by the way my host Peruvian mother Dora, cooks the most fantastic food I ever come across in my entirely life, how she does it with a little budget? to start with it, I dislike junky food and try to eat fresh food back at home, and here in Peru the food has not additives and mostly is organic thus, I am in heaven right now. Peru is fantastic! 

You can write to me at any time to projects@inkamagik.com (cc: Jonathan Edwards-volunteer VIDA -2011)