A little History… The charity was legally founded March 3rd, 2004 by a local lady named Luisa Rodriguez Gamarra. Luisa was able to start of the project when she found an initial local in her district of Dolorespata which would accommodate the kids during the opening hours. With the compromise of improving the infrastructure which was extremely basic (no electricity or washrooms) since no rent was incurred, Luisa and her colleagues worked hard in the hope that one day they will be able to buy their own local.
During the month of October 2004, the charity moved to another close by local where this time light and washroom amenities could be installed and built. Also, thanks to foreign volunteers, who temporarily help at San Nicolas Urraca, the local was finally equipped with some tables, chairs and games for the children. Nevertheless, in November 2005, the mayor of the Dolorespata required that Luisa and the charity move out of the local. Therefore, with the help of past volunteers, Luisa started a fundraising campaign in the hope of raising enough money to buy a local. Unfortunately the campaign was unsuccessful due to too few contacts and Luisa had to negotiate to keep the local for another five years when she will need to have found a new local. Today, Luisa tries her best to gather just enough money each month to buy necessary equipment and pay the bills in order not to go back to the streets.
In the future Luisa has already accomplished a lot for “her” kids since the project started from scratch a little over four years ago. Each Christmas she was able to organize a nice party for the kids where each kid would receive something to eat and a small present. Nevertheless, in the short run and longer run, Luisa still has many projects and ambitions. One of her goals would be to be able to offer each day a small snack for the kids. This objective is already well on its way. In comparison to four years ago when the association could not even afford occasional drinks, today the kids receive some food (rice pudding, pasta, or milk) about twice a week!
One of her longer run goal and dream would be to open the doors of San Nicolas Urraca to abused women and abandoned elderly people who are numerous in the streets of Cusco. A couple of months ago she has already attempted to achieve this objective with about ten women but unfortunately due to insufficient funds to buy the material to knit sweaters the experience was halted.
In the past fours years San Nicolas Urraca has accomplished a lot for the kids from Dolorespata and volunteers who have returned to visit the project after a few years have been able to witness the amazing changes! However, with the help of new volunteers, San Nicolas is meant to grow even more!* The various pictures show you the different improvement the volunteers have been doing for the association and the well-being of the children (the patio, the tables...).
To go to the association :San Nicolas Urraca (in Dolorespata,Cusco)
Avenidad Jorge Luis Navarrete
You can take a taxi (3 soles) : ask the driver to go to Dolorespata, Avenidad Jorge Luis Navarrete (the taxi drivers usually know the small park which is located on the same avenue; the association is just a few meters away).
Or, you can take the bus (50 cents of Soles) from the center and get down in Dolorespata - Avenidad Jorge Luis Navarrete. Walk down Avenidad del Sol till you see the big Post Office on your right side. Turn left on the small street at the corner and take the bus #21.
You can also catch the same bus at the end of the street named Almagro/beginning of the street called Qera (near Avenidad del Sol also). With the bus, you will arrived to the association approximately after 20 minutes of travel : go down in Dolorespata (ask someone on the bus where to exit in Avenidad Naverrete, near the park).The association is painted yellow and purple (see profile picture) so you will not miss it !
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