On Monday ACORN International affiliates in Toronto, Buenos Aires, Prague, Tegucigalpa, and Mexico City along with other organizations acting around the world to demand along with community organizations and environmentalists in Moscow a halt to any efforts to build a highway through the protected Khimki Forest.

The Khimki Forests is one of the last protected woodlands anywhere near the vicinity of Moscow and proposals to build a wildly expensive highway through 15 kilometers of the Khimki has been a contentious debate between citizens and the Russian Federation government for years. After initially be green lit under President V. Putin, his successor President D. Medvedev, had ordered the project shelved for study given the huge opposition to the project in Moscow. The controversy has been marked by human rights violations including the police beating and crippling of a journalist opposing the project and the frequent harassment and arrest of community organizers and activists petitioning the government for caution and consultation on this project.

At the end of last year in a sudden reversal Medvedev, allowed the project to once again move forward. Vinci Construction, the global construction company, has been negotiating to undertake the project but has not yet signed a contract. The global action is intended to call attention to need to protect the Khimki Forest and to ask the Russian Government to re-examine the alternative routes for the highway that would continue to protect the environment and the community. ACORN is also calling on Vinci to walk away from the project in order to protect its own environmental, social, and human rights records which the company trumpets in its own annual report.

Actions in Toronto are focusing in Mississauga, where the corporate offices are located for Vinci in Ontario.  Actions in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, are scheduled at the Russian Embassy where ACORN Honduras is asking that a message be sent to Moscow about the worldwide concern for these abuses.  Actions by ACORN in Mexico City and Buenos Aires are also demanding that Vinci not sign the contract. Vinci has a controversial reputation already in the Czech Republic and ACORN-CC there is raising the issues that the same mistakes should not be made in Russia that have been made previously in the Czech Republic.

Español e Inglés/ Spanish and English

INFORME DE TRABAJO EN ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERÚ

ENERO-MARZO 2011

De: Orfa Camacho

Para: Wade Director General Acorn International, INC

Fecha: 06/03/2011

Por medio de la presente cumplo con informarle sobre el trabajo que se viene realizando en ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERÚ, desde Enero a Abril del 2011.

ACORN viene trabajando en las áreas temáticas de organización de Comunidades, Educación, Salud, Defensa del agua y cuidado del Medio Ambiente en la comunidad del Distrito de San Juan de Lurigancho.

Salud.- trabajamos con el apoyo del Programa Nacional de Asistencia Alimentaria PRONAA (Programa del Estado que se encarga de elevar la calidad de vida mediante la adecuada nutrición a los diferentes espacios de escasos recursos económicos) conjuntamente con el centro de salud Cruz de Motupe. Nosotros trabajamos como facilitadores en la identificación de niños menores de 3 años de edad que padecen de desnutrición para inscribirlos al PIN “Programa Integral de Nutrición”, comprometiendo a las madres de familia a realizar un control mensual de salud a sus hijos, y por cada control asistido reciben una canasta alimentaria. Como también realizamos el respectivo seguimiento a los controles. Hasta el momento 20 niños han recuperado su peso, dando la posibilidad que otros puedan ingresar al programa.

Realizamos campañas de Salud preventiva en las comunidades de San Juan de Lurigancho con el apoyo voluntario de médicos especialistas en diversos temas de salud y donaciones de medicamentos.

Educación.- Se Logró un acuerdo con el Centro Educativo 10 de marzo para trabajar conjuntamente en el proyecto de Radio Comunal, transmitiendo el cuidado del Medio Ambiente y Defensa del Agua, con el apoyo de instituciones locales, quienes nos brindan los implementos necesarios y la capacitación de los locutores en los temas del cuidado del medio ambiente.

Salubridad.- Identificamos, motivamos a los líderes de las comunidades ante las instituciones para la construcción de muros de contención en zonas de riesgo y acceso a los servicios de saneamiento de las familias. Por ejemplo EMAPE y Construyendo Perú (financiamiento de los gobiernos locales y Central), Hoy 06 de Abril del presente se concluyó la obra de muros de contención; en los que resaltamos la participación de las mujeres de la Comunidad.

Responsabilidad Social.- Identificamos a personas con discapacidad (personas hipoacúsicas o con discapacidad física), tenemos como gran apoyo al Congreso de la República del Perú que se encarga de facilitarnos implementos de necesidad, tales como (audífonos, sillas de ruedas).

ANEXOS

OBJETIVOS ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC PARA EL 2011

1. 1. Continuar trabajando por el Desarrollo Integral y Bienestar Social de los Niños de Familias con Escasos Ingresos Económicos. Se continuará trabajando por la Salud Integral y la Alimentación Adecuada de los niños menores de 10 años de edad provenientes de familias con escasos ingresos económicos. Con este objetivo se espera contribuir a la: “Erradicación de la Pobreza Extrema y el Hambre” y a la “Reducción de la Mortalidad Infantil”

1. 2. Continuar Organizando a las Comunidades para Acceder a los Servicios de Saneamiento, la Construcción de vías de acceso a las comunidades y una infraestructura de seguridad. se continuará organizando a las comunidades para la atención de sus demandas y el cumplimiento de los acuerdos ante las Autoridades e Instituciones Correspondientes. Con este objetivo se pretende contribuir al sexto Objetivo del Milenio. “Garantizar la Sostenibilidad del Medio Ambiente”.

1. 3. Lograr la Concientización y la Participación de las comunidades en el Cuidado del Medio Ambiente: Se trabajará por la preservación de los Recursos Naturales y la reducción de la Contaminación Ambiental con ello se contribuirá al sexto Objetivo del Milenio. “Garantizar la Sostenibilidad del Medio Ambiente”.

1. 4. Continuar con la Promoción de la salud preventiva entre las familias como un Derecho y un Deber.– se seguirá organizando y concientizando a las familias para la participación en los diferentes programas de salud que brinda el Estado y otras instituciones, especialmente en los programas de salud relacionados con la Salud Materna y del Niño. Con ello se contribuirá a la. “Reducción de la Mortalidad Infantil y el Mejoramiento de la Salud Materna”.

AREAS PRIORITARIAS DE ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERÚ

1. 1. Defensa de los Derechos: Realizamos acciones que involucran la defensa de los derechos de las personas y familias; brindándoles asesoramiento y acompañamiento para hacer respetar sus derechos con ello se busca la representación de las comunidades a través de sus líderes previa organización ante las instituciones correspondientes para la atención de sus necesidades y demandas como ciudadanos.

1. 2. Salud: En este campo se busca el acceso a la salud de las familias con bajos y escasos ingresos económicos a través de la concientización e inserción a los programas de Salud del Estado y otras instituciones; se vela por la salud materna, la salud integral y la alimentación adecuada de los niños, por la salud de los adolescentes, adultos y el adulto mayor.

1. 3. Educación: Se trabaja por la educación como un derecho y un deber de las personas sin distinción alguna; especialmente el de las niñas y los niños porque se les brinde una adecuada educación. También trabajamos por la Educación Social de las familias y comunidades en forma organizada brindándoles información y conocimientos sobre temas de interés social. 

1. 4. Defensa del Agua y el Medio Ambiente: Realizamos acciones en defensa del Agua; que implica la concientización sobre el uso adecuado y acciones contra la privatización del agua; trabajamos por el cuidado del Medio Ambiente concientizando a las familias. 

PRINCIPALES ACTIVIDADES PROGRAMADAS PARA EL 2011

1. 1. Continuar nuestra labor Organizativa en la Comunidad.
2. 2. Realizar campañas de Salud Preventiva.
3. 3. Afiliar niños de 6 meses a 3 años de edad al Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS).
4. 4. Identificar niños de 6 meses a 3 años de edad al Programa Integral de Nutrición (PIN).
5. 5. Implementar campañas de desayunos saludables
6. 6. Asesorar y acompañar a los líderes de la comunidad en las gestiones para la construcción de pistas, muros de contención, escaleras, y veredas en las comunidades.
7. 7. Capacitar a la población sobre la preservación del Medio Ambiente.
8. 8. Plantación de árboles en la comunidad y en zonas de áreas verdes.
9. 9. Implementar cursos de capacitación y concientización para la defensa del Agua.

10. Continuar con la Campaña “Tiempo pasado para la Justicia de Remesas”.

11. Retomar la Campaña por la Provincialización de San Juan de Lurigancho.

12. Continuar en busca de Financiamiento para la Consolidación del Proyecto de Desarrollo de la Comunidad de MIRAVALLE-JUNIN-PERU.

Comunidades del AA.HH Cruz de Motupe San Juan de Lurigancho/Lima.

1. 1. 10 de Marzo
2. 2. Los Cipreses
3. 3. Los Unidos
4. 4. Unidos Altos
5. 5. Laderas de Motupe
6. 6. Los heraldos de Motupe
7. 7. Grupo 6 de Motupe
8. 8. Héroes el Cenepa
9. 9. Nuevo Amanecer II

10. José Olaya

11. Buena Vista

12. Grupo 7- Motupe

13. Las Vegas

14. Miravalle-Junin-Perù

REPORT OF WORK IN ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERU
JANUARY-MARCH 2011

From: Orfa Camacho
To: Wade Rathke Chief Organizer Acorn International, Inc.
Date: 06/03/2011

By hereby I’d like to inform about the work being done in ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERU, from January to April 2011.

ACORN Peru has been working in the areas of community organizing, education, health, water and in defense of the environment in the community of the District of San Juan de Lurigancho.

Health .- We work with the support of the National Food Assistance Program PRONAA (Federal Program in charge of raising the quality of life through proper nutrition to various low income areas) in conjunction with the health center Motupe Cross. We work as facilitators in the identification of children under 3 years of age suffering from malnutrition. We aim to register them in the PIN “Comprehensive Nutrition Program”, for which the mothers commit to take their children for a monthly health, and for every assisted control they receive a food basket. We also do the necessary follow-up controls. So far, 20 children have regained their normal weight, giving the possibility for others to join the program.
Preventive health campaigns are conducted in the communities of San Juan de Lurigancho with the help of volunteer medical specialists in various health issues and drug donations.

Education .- An agreement was reached with the Educational Center 10 de Marzo to work together with the Community Radio project, raising awareness on environmental issues and water protection, with the support of local institutions that provide us with the necessary equipment and training of speakers on the themes of environmental friendly practices.

Salubrity .- We identify and motivate community leaders before the institutions for the construction of retaining walls in high-risk areas and access to sanitation services for families. For example, EMAPE and Building Peru (with funding from the local and Federal governments). On April 6, the retaining walls were finished, in which we highlight the participation of women from the Community.

Social Responsibility.- We identify persons with disabilities (hearing impaired or physically disabled). We have support from the Congress of the Republic of Peru, which is responsible for providing us with necessary tools, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs.

ANNEXES

OBJECTIVES ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR 2011

1. Continue working for the Integral Development and Social Welfare of the Children of families with limited income. We will continue working for comprehensive health and adequate food for children under 10 years old from families with limited income. With this objective we expect to contribute to the “Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger” and the “Reduction of Infant Mortality.”

2. Continue Organizing Communities to Access Sanitation Services, Construction of access roads to communities, and infrastructure security. We will continue organizing communities to bring attention to their demands and the fulfillment of the agreements with the authorities and institutions concerned. With this objective we expect to contribute to the sixth Millennium Development Goal “Ensure Environmental Sustainability.”

3. Achieve Awareness and Community Involvement in Environmental Issues: We work for the preservation of Natural Resources and Environmental Pollution Reduction which will contribute to the sixth Millennium Development Goal “Ensure Environmental Sustainability.”

4. Continue the promotion of preventative health care among families as a right and a duty. We will continue organizing and raising awareness for families to participate in the various health programs offered by the State and other institutions, especially in health programs related to Maternal and Child Health. It will contribute to “Reducing Child Mortality and Improving Maternal Health.”

PRIORITY AREAS OF ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC – PERU

1. Defense of Rights: We carry out actions involving the rights of individuals and families by providing counseling and assistance to enforce their rights; the aim is to, prior organization, get representation for the community through their leaders before the institutions concerned to respond to their needs and their demands as citizens.

2. Health: This field is seeking to give low income families access to health care through awareness and integration to the Health programs of the State and other institutions. We seek to ensure maternal health, holistic health and adequate food for children, health of adolescents, adults and the elderly.
3. Education: Work with education as a right and duty of persons without distinction, especially for girls and boys because they provide an adequate education. We also work for social education of families and communities through organizations that provide information and knowledge on social issues.

4. Defense of Water and the Environment: We carry out actions in defense of water, which implies raising awareness on its proper use and taking action against water privatization, as well as working for the protection of the environment.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2011

1. Continue our work in Community Organizing.
2. Carry out preventive health campaigns.
3. Register children from 6 months to 3 years old at the Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS).
4. Identify and register children from 6 months to 3 years old at the Comprehensive Nutrition Program (PIN).
5. Implement ‘healthy breakfast’ campaigns.
6. Advise and assist the community leaders in efforts to build trails, retaining walls, stairs and sidewalks in communities.
7. Empower people about environmental preservation.
8. Planting trees in the community and in areas of landscaping.
9. Implement training and awareness for the defense of water.
10. Continue to Campaign for Justice last time Remittances. “
11. Resume Campaign Provincialization of San Juan de Lurigancho.
12. Continue to find Funding for Development Project Strengthening the Community of MIRAVALLE-JUNIN-PERU.

AA.HH communities Motupe Cross San Juan de Lurigancho / Lima.

1. March 10
2. The Cypress
3. The United
4. Altos United
5. Motupe Foothills
6. Heralds of Motupe
7. Group 6 Motupe
8. Heroes Cenepa
9. New Dawn II
10. Jose Olaya
11. Buena Vista
12. Group 7 – Motupe
13. Las Vegas
14. Miravalle-Junin-Peru

I live in the village of Kisumu Ndogo in the Korogocho slum in Nairobi.  I am on the board of our local chapter. I joined ACORN Kenya in June 2009.  I heard about a meeting about education and went to the meeting.  After the meeting I talked to one of the organizers and joined because the education campaign was going to help the entire community. With our education campaign we are fighting so that our community can access the government bursaries that are suppose to support poor parents that can’t afford  school fees.  My 11 year old son use to attend an informal schools, we had to pay 300SH for school fees plus 10sh a day for food, plus 70 shillings for each exam they write, plus books.  I didn’t receive and bursary from the government.  Through ACORN I realized that I needed to have my son in the formal schools so he can access higher education.  But the fees in the formal schools are even higher.  ACORN helped me apply for the bursary to cover the fees. I was able to apply because ACORN members fault and won a new structure of dispersing the application forms from the bursary committee. The bursary committee now has people right in korogocho that distribute the forms.   The fees for the formal school include 500sh for admission, plus 500sh for a desk, plus 750sh a year for food, plus books.  I am waiting for the bursary right now.  With ACORN we need to grow as an organization and need more members so that we can be even stronger!