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Copyright : ©2008 The Oregonian. All rights reserved. Reprint with permission.
A nonprofit started by Hillsboro alpaca ranchers in 1996 has provided free dental care to thousands of people in Peru.
Now, Quechua Benefit is shifting its emphasis from providing dental care to at-risk children to caring for other needs and adults. Two couples --Mike and Julie Safley and Dr. Mario and Barrie Pedroza --run the nonprofit.
"We have had this as a goal and dream for 13 years. We have the dental situation under control," said Mike Safley, speaking of the hiring several years ago of staff dentist Dr. Wilfredo U. Condori, a Peruvian national known as "Dr. Willie."
Mario Pedroza, a dentist, has traveled every year to Peru for several weeks to help provide care to local children. "A few years I was there twice, and one year, three times," he said. "It's always very rewarding inwardly to contribute and help people."
Quechua Benefit has grown over the years, expanding relief efforts to aid earthquake survivors and victims of harsh winters, by providing help with food and living quarters. The organization has also funded life-saving surgeries for those who cannot afford them and helped youths to attend college.
The nonprofit organization has plans to build a home for orphans in the pueblo of Coporaque, in the Colca Valley. The goal is to teach them how to be self-sufficient, then expand from caring for orphans to making services available to community members, according to Mike Safley.
"We need funding for greenhouses, a trout farm, a barn and livestock. Besides funding, we are also looking for knowledgeable volunteers who would be willing to travel to Peru and help," said Julie Safley, Mike Safley's wife.
An estimated $500,000 to $600,000 is needed to build the orphanage, according to Safley. They hope to build housing for 50 children, expandable later to 100, with living quarters for staff, a shop, library, computer center, sewing room and greenhouses for growing food.
To help with donations, or if interested in traveling to Peru to help with the building project, send an e-mail to alpacaroza@aol.com or mike@alpacas.com.
-- Roger Gregory
Contact us: Do you know someone who is making a difference? If so, please contact Roger Gregory by phone at 503-294-5962, by e-mail at rogergregory@news.oregonian.com or write to 1675 S.W. Marlow Ave., Suite 325, Portland, OR 97225
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