The Foundation’s Yavari Trekkers were in attendance at Holy Apostles Church in Pimlico to celebrate Peru’s national Independence Day, ahead of their trek to the region.
With just under two weeks before the young Hammers set out on their life-changing adventure, they were invited to the celebrations in order to receive a taste of Peru.
London’s Peruvian community were on hand to offer the Trekkers a warm welcome as they arrived, and wasted no time in immersing them into their culture.
The bumper crowd rose for the country’s national anthem, before speeches and a rendition of the Danza de las Tijeras (the scissor dance) – a traditional dance from the south of the Andes. Following some traditional food and drink from the region, the Trekkers were invited to the dance floor to show off some moves of their own.
Rear Admiral Jose Romero, Peruvian Defence Attaché, was present to speak to the would-be travellers and praise the Yavari Project, led by Meriel Larken, for its genuine work in helping to make an impact in Peru.
“Peru suffers from many problems, but the Yavari Project is one of the few examples of how to develop international co-operation. Everyone tries to help, but it often results in nothing. With the Yavari Project, and thanks to Meriel Larken, we are seeing real international co-operation.”
The Independence Day of Peru is celebrated on 28 July to commemorate the anniversary of Peru's independence from Spanish rule in 1824.
The group of local young leaders will travel to South America this summer to retrace the journey of the Thames Ironworks-built Yavari gunship.
With just under two weeks before their adventure, the Yavari Trekkers are still fundraising and they need your help! You can donate to their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/peru-yavari-trekkers
For more information on the Yavari Project and West Ham United’s link to Peru, visit: http://www.peruyavariexpedition.com
With just under two weeks before the young Hammers set out on their life-changing adventure, they were invited to the celebrations in order to receive a taste of Peru.
London’s Peruvian community were on hand to offer the Trekkers a warm welcome as they arrived, and wasted no time in immersing them into their culture.
The bumper crowd rose for the country’s national anthem, before speeches and a rendition of the Danza de las Tijeras (the scissor dance) – a traditional dance from the south of the Andes. Following some traditional food and drink from the region, the Trekkers were invited to the dance floor to show off some moves of their own.
Rear Admiral Jose Romero, Peruvian Defence Attaché, was present to speak to the would-be travellers and praise the Yavari Project, led by Meriel Larken, for its genuine work in helping to make an impact in Peru.
“Peru suffers from many problems, but the Yavari Project is one of the few examples of how to develop international co-operation. Everyone tries to help, but it often results in nothing. With the Yavari Project, and thanks to Meriel Larken, we are seeing real international co-operation.”
The Independence Day of Peru is celebrated on 28 July to commemorate the anniversary of Peru's independence from Spanish rule in 1824.
The group of local young leaders will travel to South America this summer to retrace the journey of the Thames Ironworks-built Yavari gunship.
With just under two weeks before their adventure, the Yavari Trekkers are still fundraising and they need your help! You can donate to their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/peru-yavari-trekkers
For more information on the Yavari Project and West Ham United’s link to Peru, visit: http://www.peruyavariexpedition.com