In
early 1998 some members of Pachamama Conservation traveled to
Southern Chile and had the opportunity to meet the Founder of
Alianza & Solidaridad, a non profit organization that gathers
adults and high school students in an effort to carry out the
tasks of several commissions within the organization. The work
is voluntary and most students perform their work as an extra
curricular activity.
During this visit, Pachamama members learned about the many unmet
needs of the Mapuche Communities of Lake Budi. This originated
the idea of creating a sister organization in the United States
to support Alianza & Solidaridad's efforts to enable young
students from these communities to continue their high school
education in boarding schools located outside of Lake Budi.
While
Pachamama Conservation creates the emergency fund to support
the Sponsorship Program, Alianza & Solidaridad continue to
develop the commissions that are an integral part of the organization.
Key
to this Program is the Education and Development commission that
includes the Sponsorship and Fundraising committees.
Sponsorship stems from young mapuche students' wishes to continue
and complete their formal education. Once these students make
their decision, they submit their application to our organizations.
Alianza & Solidaridad looks for Sponsors and Mentors that
can provide financial and emotional support to the applicants.
Fundraising
Commission is staffed by volunteer high school students that
seek
financial support for transportation, school supplies and mailing
of parcels containing students necessities. Fund-raisers ensure
that sponsors receive information and are offered a forum to
contribute their ideas about the future of the organization.
Considering that the financial resources sometimes may not be
readily available
to cover the multiple needs of the students, Pachamama Conservation
developed an emergency fund to ensure the students'ongoing participation
in the program.
