Soy Andina: The Blog

Vicos, a story about community-based tourism in Ancash, the Andes

Peruvian journalist Jorge Riveros Cayos posted this on the Peru expat list, about a fascinating community in Ancash (the district in the Andes where much of Soy Andina was filmed).

For Spanish readers, read here.

I will like to share with you an article written by Charlie Smith about Vicos, an Andean community situated about an hour northeast of the city of Huaraz, on the buffer zone of the Huascarán National Park, in the Callejón de Huaylas.

NY Party/Art Show Fundraiser to Help School in Niger

This invite from Jiri Boudnik and Soy Andina editor Ingrid Patetta, now working in Niger on her own doc:

Fundraiser party/art show for ONG Tagaste, to buy food for a small school in Niger.

Friday, September 22, 2006
Fanelli's art gallery, corner of Mercer and Prince, Soho

Featuring Live music by Niger musicians and photo exhibit

More info: write jiri boudnik: jiri.boudnik@gmail.com

Sat July 22 | Los Angeles: Art Benefit for Peru movie

Filmmaker Ann Kaneko is having a fundraiser this Saturday for her Peru doc, Against the Grain: an Artist's Survival Guide to Peru, at Caracola, a Latin American art gallery at the Brewery. More info by clicking on image below or here.

Films about Latin America at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in NYC

2006 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
June 9-22 at the Walter Reade Theater

DIAS DE SANTIAGO
Josué Mendez, Perú, 2003
A powerful portrait of life in Lima for an abandoned generation, through the story of a returning solder trying to renew his life.
Sat June 10: 9:30; Tues June 13: 1

ROSITA
Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater, US/Nicaragua, 2005
The parents of a nine-year-old Nicaraguan girl who was raped and impregnated fight for an abortion against the government and church.
Fri June 16:6:15, Sat June 17: 1; Tues June 20: 3:30; Thurs June 22: 1

SWITCH OFF (Apaga y Vamonos)
Manel Mayol, Spain, 2005
A Spanish company has built the world’s third largest dam in the homeland of the Pehuenche-Mapuche people in the Chilean Andes.
*Sat June 17: 9; *Sun June 18: 9; Tues June 20: 1

Gen-Peru helps Peruvian entrepreneurs

Gen-Peru is a new network for supporting Peruvian entrepreneurs. Last fall I wrote about their pending launch. Key founder Hillmer Reyes is a good friend who hosted a Soy Andina fundraiser in Connecticut back in 2004.

Invenio: Connecting Villages Worldwide

My friend and Soy Andina supporter Colm Pelow reports from San Francisco on a new venture that's got him jazzed:

I'm involved with an NGO called Inveneo that's bringing low-cost, solar-powered wi-fi Internet to remote villages in places like Africa, Asia and South America, and training local people to install and maintain them.

Cisco just purchased 60 units for a school project in Uganda.

They're doing something I believe in, bringing assistance to those who need it. In a sustainable, not handout sort of way.

I am looking to connect them to funds - be it a rich person, foundation, organization, even Bono! Whoever I speak to.

So when will you do the documentary about a small start-up that changes the world ....one small PC at a time?

Summer Course in Peru with Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani

The Hemispheric Institute is pleased to announce its 3rd annual Summer Course in Peru.

Theatre/Politics/Memory: Performance and Cultural Politics in Peru August 7-24, 2006, Lima Peru

Filmmakers, here's the ONE thing you must do to finish your film

Sign up for one of the upcoming workshops by the Documentary Doctor, Fernanda Rossi.

Got an idea for a movie, but not sure where to start? Need to make a killer trailer that'll get you funding over 3 billion other applicants? Stuck in the cutting room, on the verge of despair?

What's that? You've read her columns in the Independent? You've seen some of the 100+ films she's consulted on?

Good start. But not good enough. You must work face to face on your film with Fernanda. Unless of course you prefer to "figure things out yourself" and spend a few more months, or years, knocking your head against the wall. Hey, you might be that type.

She also dances a mean Tango. Need I say more?

Need an eye exam, glasses or contacts?

Dr. Gary Tracy has been my "go-to-guy" for eye exams, eyglasses and contacts for something like 15 years - whether I've been in New York or Peru (yes they ship!). I wouldn't think of entrusting my eyes to anyone else.

Not to mention they've got a selection of very cool frames and lenses second to none, including those big impersonal chains with the splashy ads.

Full disclosure 1): Dr. Tracy is a member of the Soy Andina donor family. He loves the project (he grew up partly overseas, so cross-cultural stories resonate).

Full disclosure 2:) I helped him launch his new eNewsletter on eye care tips. You can see it and reach him here (hint: there's a $40 coupon for the eye exam/glasses package).

But way before he was a donor or client, I've been recommending him to friends. Happy to keep doing so.

Besides, I don't want to hear any complaints that Soy Andina was out of focus!

Thank You to Our New Sponsor...

Welcome aboard new sponsor Lima Tours! Another Peruvian business sponsor that stands for tradition and excellence.

They are a long-time leader in the travel/tourism field — a family business with a reputation for first-class service, quality, and responsible tourism.