Hi! My Name is Alex and I would like to tell you my story. 

I am originally from Cusco, Peru, and for more than 6 years I have been living in little Rhode Island with my wife and daughter. I immediately fell in love with New England, especially the beautiful foliage in the fall and most of all the winter wonderland that defines the holiday season. Before I moved to the United States (firstly Vermont), I had never seen snow except in photos and movies. Now, the spirit of Christmas is all around!

After many years away, I am finally going back to visit my family and friends in Peru for Christmas. I am so excited to see everyone and once again share in the rich cultural traditions I have long missed, but I remember that it becomes challenging to embrace the joy of the season when there are so many who suffer. I see the social, cultural, and especially economic difference between my two homes, particularly affecting children. Many families from poor communities converge on Cusco on Christmas Eve, selling goods and services in the hopes of earning enough money to support their basic needs and often there is no room for things like Christmas gifts.

I would love to collect some of the abundant Christmas spirit we enjoy here, and share it in Peru. With your donations I will buy as many toys, games, and arts and crafts supplies (items that cannot be easily accessed there) as possible, and present to the local children. Whatever the amount, please share. I would love to have the problem of paying extra to check overweight luggage at the airport!

Thank you in advance for sharing and being part of delivering to these children a very Merry Christmas!