You might remember this post from a few weeks ago, titled “D4RT: Kickstarting art in Peru”, announcing a fundraising campaign for a mobile art workshop aimed at bringing classes and public art projects to impoverished communities worldwide. Thanks to a staggering outpour of support, this dream materialized and D4RT took its first flight three weeks ago.
The concept of international volunteer work can conjure a number of different impressions. For doctor Luis Vasquez, founder of the Yantaló Peru Foundation, the idea hits close to home, literally. He was born in this small Peruvian jungle town before studying in Lima and, later, practicing in the US. It was seven years ago that he returned and found the place nearly unchanged from the Yantaló of his childhood. He decided to take action and the Foundation was born.
Moyobamba, Peru is known as the city of orchids, but to me it will forever remain the city of lost dogs. The homeless dog population here is staggering, and on the rainy morning of September 22nd this was especially apparent, as my hired motokar rattled past a forlorn mutt at nearly every other doorstep, halfheartedly awaiting invitation into the warm, away from the cold and the wet.