Cecilia Salgado of the Peruvian cultural organization Somos Peru sent in this article and photo.
On the streets of New Haven, volunteers gathered to collect donations in an effort to rebuild Haiti after it was hit by a devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. The volunteers are members of the New Haven Friends of Haiti Committee, members of the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), and the Agrupación Cultural “SOMOS PERÚ”, Inc.
Under the direction of State Rep. Juan Candelaria, the New Haven Friends of Haiti Committee collected a total of $2,200 for Haiti. Members of “SOMOS PERÚ”, Inc. participated in the planning and collection of the donations alongside the members of the New Haven Friends of Haiti Committee.
“SOMOS PERÚ”, Inc. has been promoting diversity and educating the community by performing Peruvian dances, participating in cultural events, and supporting local charity events.
The New Haven community can support the efforts of New Haven Friends of Haiti by participating or contributing to any one of these events: WalkaThon on May 1st and a Benefit Concert on June 12th in New Haven. Visit www.somosperu.us for more details.
AGRUPACIÓN CULTURAL “SOMOS PERÚ”, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in New Haven. Its mission is to promote, educate, & share authentic Peruvian culture with the people of New England by way of teaching and performing live dances and music for schools, charities, and local cultural events in order to contribute to the Latin community, promote diversity, and increase appreciation for all cultures.