OPERACION SAN ANDRES

THE PERUVIAN NON-PROFIT CALLED ASOCIACION OPERACION SAN ANDRES (OSA-PERU) HAS FACILITIES IN COLLIQUE, LIMA, PERU THAT ARE USED FOR A DAILY EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT AND NUTRITION PROGRAM. APPROXIMATELY 65 PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN (AGES 5 TO 11)AND 40 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, CHILDREN AND TEENS ARE PROVIDED NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT CHRIST. THEY ALSO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT IN SCHOOL SUBJECTS LIKE READING AND MATH. CRAFTS, RECREATION, DRAMA CLASSES, AND FIELD TRIPS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, CHILDREN ALSO RECEIVE TRAINING IN SOCIAL SKILLS AND DEVELOP IMPROVED SELF-ESTEEM. OSA-PERU ALSO PAYS TUITION AND OTHER FEES FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 COLLEGE STUDENTS. THE COLLEGE STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND SPIRITUAL COUNSELING DURING THEIR TIME IN COLLEGE.

THE PROBLEM OF FOOD INSECURITY FOR FAMILIES IN POOR AREAS OF PERU WAS EXACERBATED BY ECONOMIC DISRUPTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND CONTINUES TO BE SEVERE DUE TO HIGH INFLATION FOR FOOD PRODUCTS. THE PERUVIAN NON-PROFIT ASOCIACION OPERACION SAN ANDRES (OSA-PERU) RESPONDED WITH PROGRAMS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER IN THE COMMUNITY OF COLLIQUE, LIMA, PERU. GRANTS FROM OPERACIN SAN ANDRS WERE USED TO PURCHASE LARGE QUANTITIES OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS RICE, SUGAR, BEANS, COOKING OIL, LENTILS, ETC. THESE FOOD ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ABOUT 65 SOUP KITCHENS AROUND COLLIQUE WHICH PROVIDED ONE NUTRITIOUS MEAL FOR ABOUT 3500 PEOPLE EACH DAY. AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT OF THE SOUP KITCHEN PROGRAM INCLUDES TRAINING IN HABITS OF HEALTHY LIVING AND CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP. IN 2024, OSA MADE ENHANCEMENTS TO A PROJECT TO GROW VEGETABLES USING HYDROPONICS AT THE LOS JAZMINES COMMUNITY. THIS TECHNIQUE REQUIRES MINIMAL AMOUNTS OF WATER AND SELECTED NUTRIENTS.