Deaf people in Peru, whilst being talented individuals, are amoungst the poorest and most vulnerable in their society, excluded from employment due to the stigma of having a disability. Most Deaf Peruvians do not even finish school because they cannot afford to, or they live too far away from the very few schools for the deaf. The vast majority are unemployed or receive lower than minimum wage. Their life is a daily struggle of trying to understand and be understood, as almost no-one knows any sign language. They are often looked down upon by hearing society and live in the poorest parts of the cities, travelling long distances to seek work, usually to no avail, consigning them to a life of poverty. 

Our new cafe, based at our Artizan Peru centre in the beautiful mountain city of Arequipa, will provide vital vocational training and employment for deaf people who long for these opportunities, giving them hope and a future, whilst also changing negative attitudes towards them in their local society. We've done this successfully before with our deaf-run cafe in Tanzania. This has had a profoundly positive effect on local attitudes to deaf people, as well as providing full- time employment for many deaf people in the town of Iringa where it's based. 

Our menus will be in Spanish, English and sign language symbols, so our customers can learn to communicate with their deaf waiter or waitress, breaking down barriers between deaf and hearing people in their community. The cafe will become a beacon of light and hope for deaf people and for all the other differently-able people that the centre will serve, with it's shop, cafe and crafts workshops. The cafe is the final step that will bring the wider community into closer contact with our artisans, opening their eyes to how capable and employable they are. This means that in time, other local employers will consider employing deaf people too, whereas before this would have been unthinkable. 

After 4 years' fundraising we've already purchased a beautiful old building in Arequipa to house the centre, and have refurbished the spaces to a high standard. The cafe space has a large downstairs area and a roof top terrace with incredible views of the snow-capped volcanoes on the horizon. To equip the kitchen & cafe with all the cooking equipment, counter fridges, cafe furniture, coffee machine, crockery and cutlery etc, will cost around £16,000.  To employ two deaf teacher-trainers for the first year will cost £14,000.  We have already had £2000 donated, so we just have  £28,000 left to raise. Please give whatever you can, every little bit adds up and helps us get closer to our target. Thank you so much for your support. 

Here's some examples of specific things you could support (starting at £5): 

Coffee pot /Tea Pot: £5  (x 20)

Set of crockery: £25  (x 40)

Set of cutlery: £10  (x 40)

Saucepans: £25  (x 6)

Chopping boards:  £30

Chefs Knives: £40

Cooking Utensils: £50

Kitchen Sink: £100

Set of chef's whites for deaf trainee: £50 (x 6) 

Tea-towels and other linens : £30 

Kitchen Counter Tops: £300

Kitchen Shelving: £40    (x 10

Tiling: £150

Kitchen Fridge: £400

Kitchen Freezer: £350

Counter display fridge: £1000

Physical counter build cost:£400 (x2) 

Coffee machine : £2500

Coffee Grinder : £160

Industrial Oven: £600

Industrial mixer:£140

Smoothie maker: £120

Hot chocolate machine: £180

Double Panini Press: £ 120

Cafe Table: £80 (x 8)

Cafe chair: £50 (x 20)

Cafe uphostered benches: £60 (x 6)

DIY tools to make pallet furniture for cafe roof terrace : £120

Cafe lighting: £350

Cafe paintwork : £300

Do you really need another pair of socks for Christmas? Why not ask your friends and family to give you a teapot or even a Kitchen sink, for Peru instead?! :D Our deaf trainee chefs would truly apprecaite it.  If you're buying a gift on behalf of someone else, please let us know and we'll send them a card to say thanks and let them know what their gift is supporting.   Thanks so much for your support!