About Azul Wasi
Azul Wasi was founded on 31st August 2002 by Alcides Jordan, Jhonny Olaza and Jackeline Olaza. Our motto is “Rights – Faith – Study – Development – Progress”. Our objectives are to develop and maximize the full potential of young people and children who are found to be in high risk situations, living on the streets of Cusco, Peru.
Azul Wasi is experienced in working with children in high risk situations. We have worked in association with Colibri (a community center for street children) in Cusco within which we have developed educational and health programs.
Director
Alcides Jordan
Alcides Jordan was born on August 31st, 1962 in Apurimac, Peru. His life of service began as a leader of the local boy scouts club in Cusco. He held this position for over thirty-five years. Alcides served as a professor in a college for over eighteen years. In addition to this academic achievement, Alcides also served as a decorated policeman who received a medal of honor for his service. Alcides has dedicated his life to the street children of Peru. He founded the Colibri community center in Cusco, which is aimed to keep children off the street through its after school program and communal environment. Alcides has spent the majority of his life advocating for street children, fighting against domestic violence, and counseling families. Personally, Alcides is married with four children and makes his home in Cusco, Peru.
International Associates
Mark & Tiffany Brown
Tiffany worked with the Colibri Community Shelter as well as the Colibri Orphanage as a volunteer in 2005. She became passionate about helping the children at the orphanage and came back to the United States where she raised money for food, medicine, clothes and school supplies. Her husband Mark soon joined her efforts and they began fundraising together and have traveled back to Peru twice together. She and her husband adopted one of the boys at the Colibri orphanage and continued with their fundraising efforts. The Colibri orphanage was shut down and the Browns now support the Azul Wasi project started by their friend Alcides Jordan. In October of 2008 Mark and their son Percy went to Peru to spend the proceeds of their most recent fundraiser. Currently they are working with their friend Joel Nix to start their own non-profit in the United States that will support the orphaned children of Peru.
Joel Nix
Joel has been involved in fundraising for Peruvian orphanages for the past 3 years. He has been involved in volunteering for different children’s organizations for the past 15 years. He visited Azul Wasi in March of 2008 and brought backpacks and school supplies for the children. He currently plans on returning in the summer of 2009. Joel currently lives in Bellevue, Wa and works at a major software company.
Fran Talavera
Fran first heard of Azul Wasi while in Peru for her Year Abroad at university during 2005. While working at a centre for children working on the streets she got to know Alcides, the director, and heard of his dreams to do more and open a home for children in even worse situations. Along with some other volunteers, they put together plans for the home and it has been amazing to see the project go from strength to strength and finally open in December 2007. Fran is currently working for a UK-based charity and hopes to go back to Peru soon to see everyone at Azul Wasi!
Mary & Chris Pountain
Mary lives in Cambridge, UK, with her husband Chris who is Professor of Spanish at Queen Mary College, University of London. They have both been involved from the very beginning as fundraisers in the UK for Azul Wasi ever since their daughter Fran worked with Alcides in Colibri and became involved in the project. For many years Mary was a teacher, but now works as a Community Fundraiser for an international orphaned children’s charity (SOS Children’s Villages). She and Chris have visited Azul Wasi twice with her family —Fran, Rosie and Matt — and they can’t wait to go again and meet the children.
Josh Silveira
Josh grew up on the west coast, where he enjoys outdoor activities, and playing video games. On a trip to Peru in 2008 he visited Azul Wasi. At Azul Wasi he found the kids to be nice, full of energy, and hope. Josh was inspired by the character of the children when sharing a meal with them.