Our first HOOP Hero!

Every so often, someone steps up and proves themself to be a real hero. At HOOP, this could be someone who has made sacrifices to personally help the Flora Tristán community, or someone who has gone to great lengths to support HOOP through fundraising or simply spreading the word about what we do here in Arequipa. So, to celebrate the heroic deeds of some of HOOP’s best and most dedicated supporters, we’re delighted to be launching our new HOOP Hero Award for people who have made significant contributions to the Flora Tristán community.

Our first winner is so awesome that if you gave him the power of flight, it would probably only be his fourth or fifth best superpower. He has made sacrifices in his medical career to set up HOOP as an official charity and has gone to remarkable lengths to help give the people of Flora Tristán better opportunities in life. He has even published a book to spread the word about HOOP in his home country (oh, with 100% of the profits supporting HOOP!).

I am of course talking about Li Shang-Ju from Taiwan. I don’t want to go into too much detail about all the great things Dr. Li has done, since (as such a great hero) he is super humble. Li has accomplished some inspiring feats for HOOP. He once sat outside San Fransisco church here in Arequipa writing down the names of HOOP’s kids in Mandarin on paper to raise awareness and donations from passers-by. He also hosted a Taiwanese camera crew in Flora Tristán to document his endeavors, and once travelled to Lima to seek support from the Taiwanese Embassy and a Taiwanese company, which is now donating a whole new building to Flora Tristán.

Fellow HOOP co-founder, Teresa recalls some of his other heroic deeds: “Li started the HOOP Scholarship Program and raised the money for it on his own. He would prepare and teach the first three scholarship students before and after school or even during the weekends to make sure they weren’t falling behind. If we couldn't solve a math problem, we would sometimes take it home, figure it out in the volunteer house and then Li would go to school in the early morning to explain it to one of our kids before their class started. No one is as respected and loved by the community as he is!”

As songwriting legend Bob Dylan once said, “A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with freedom.” Li understands this and has shown it through his heroic powers of kindness, dedication and an infectiously positive attitude. So we are delighted to announce him as our very deserving and gracious recipient of the first award. Thanks, Li, you’re our HOOP Hero!

Get your Exclusive HOOP T-Shirt

Would you like get involved with HOOP, but you are not able to volunteer directly in Perú right now? No, problem, because unil the 3rd of November 2014 you have the opportunity of getting an exclusive T-Shirt from HOOP. If you buy a shirt you can create an enormous impact for HOOP students and at the same time you can also help us spread the word about HOOP.

We are selling the T-Shirts in partnership with Teespring. The talented German artist René Siepman kindly designed a T-Shirt for HOOP that will be on sale until Monday the 3rd of November. He designed the guinea pig with a hula hoop as a tribute to HOOP and to Peru.

The shirts are available for men and women and we also have tank tops (international shipping is available!). They sell for $20 and all proceeds of the sale will help raise money to employ a psychologist to work with our community in Flora Tristan.

Please help us reach our target of 50 shirts!

Just click on the link below to choose your style, color and size, and you will receive your shirts 14 days after the campaign ends on November 3rd: teespring.com/hoopperu 

We need to sell 50 shirts by November 3rd for this campaign to happen. If we do not reach our goal, your credit card will not be charged, but sadly the shirts will not be printed either. So please spread the word about this sale by sharing via social media, word of mouth or email. 

So, if you haven`t got any Christmas presents yet, then why not buy this cute shirt for your friends and family?

Written by Tamara Lowe

Wich animal can breath through its bottom?

Did you know that turtles can breath through their bottoms? I have learned this important fact during one of the weekly trivia night fundraisers hosted by HOOP Peru at the Wild Rover Hostel in Arequipa.

In last week's fundraiser, HOOP volunteers raised over 200 soles towards funds to hire a social worker at HOOP`s Flora Tristan School. HOOP and its devoted staff have continuously held these fundraisers in the name of education and well-being for the community members of Flora Tristan. Each Wednesday night, HOOP volunteers organize the trivia night, come up with questions and host the actual quiz night for knowledge-hungry backpackers from across the world.

These fundraisers are necessary because the children HOOP works with live in difficult circumstances and they need staff that can regularly cater to all their needs, whether it be academically or emotionally. A social worker would provide that additional support for the children and their parents and would also be able to uplift the confidence of individuals and make them realize their potential for achieving success in the years to come. Furthermore a social worker would be able to strengthen relationships and resolve personal, family and social problems. 

One of our bonus rounds is often a limbo dance, which is always great fun!

If you are based in Arequipa then why not attend one of HOOP`s weekly quiz nights and use your brain for a very good cause? We would love to see you there!

- Written by Sam Eisenberg