By way of performing arts the children discover new ways of spontaneous expression and transform it into creative activities such as music, dance and theatre. They have performed at other orphanages and in the municipal theatre in Cusco.

Creative expression is also through visual arts. Paper mache to create masks and costumes, cutting and gluing, water colors, drawing, tie die and batik are some of the materials used to further the children’s interests.

Our beautiful organic gardens host a number of advantages for the children’s growth, too. They are taught about organic farming, how to develop permaculture systems, recycle waste, and conserve water and soil. They enjoy balanced organic meals and benefit from the medicinal herbs grown.

Programs our children participate in:

Health & Hygiene Many of the children adopted by Casa de Milagros arrive malnourished often with infections of the skin, bronchitis, tuberculosis, rickets, or chronic intestinal infections. Initially upon arrival each child will receive basic health assessments, hygiene and nutrition in order to restore their health.

Public School Education The children are integrated into the mainstream school system while receiving an additional education at home by trained instructors. In order to help the children strengthen their academic skills and ease their transition into the school system, a professor from a local school conducts tutoring sessions at Casa de Milagros once a week. This is of utmost importance to their educational success as many of the children at Casa de Milagros have not attended school for several years or have never been enrolled in school.

Performing Arts Casa de Milagros teaches individual development through an extensive arts program. This program incorporates performance, music and the fine arts. Every Saturday the children at Casa de Milagros take part in a performance class taught by Nino Clemente, a certified teacher originally from Peru. To strengthen community relations as well as to spread its resources, the Casa de Milagros invites children from the local community to attend this class. Through self-expression, the children bolster their self-confidence and get the exercise and movement that children need to be healthy. Their latest performance reenacts an ancient Incan folktale thus teaching the children the history of their culture.

Permaculture Casa de Milagros shows the children and the community that they don’t have to be hungry or malnourished. Organic farming and permaculture are practiced on the premises at all times. Permaculture, a technique that is growing in worldwide recognition, involves conserving as much precious water as possible while utilizing all of nature’s resources completely. The result is land that can be cultivated year after year providing a secure source of food and income for the people. Having the knowledge of permaculture, the people will have a decreased need for outside resources resulting in a decreased level of family disintegration. All of the children at Casa de Milagros have an active role in growing the food and herbs, learning from the staff members who are trained in permaculture.

Creative Arts The Casa de Milagros provides the children with classes in art, often tying these classes into the music and performance that they are working on at the time. Resident Art Director, Fernando Cano, a native of Peru, teaches the children to make masks and costumes for their plays with paper mache and many other mediums. The kids have worked with vegetable stamping, collage, water colors, drawing and paper folding. Plans for future projects include working with ceramics, silk screening, batik and bead work.

Trade Skills Skills such as carpentry, cooking, weaving, and gardening are also taught on the premises by the staff at Casa de Milagros. Knowledge of these valuable trade skills will assist the children in finding employment as adults as well as build their self-confidence. The Casa de Milagros will also establish workshops where the children will pursue apprenticeship programs to help assist in this employment process. Additionally, by participating in the maintenance of Casa de Milagros’ facilities, the children learn how to manage and maintain Casa de Milagros so that it may continue its mission for future generations.

Community Outreach In order to enrich our children’s lives and strengthen the quality of life for children in the surrounding communities we enacted the Mothers Garden; a program aimed at teaching nutrition, organic gardening techniques, and the use of medicinal plants as a means to improve health and build relationships. Sopa del dia: our community soup kitchens feed all children under 18 and adults over 65. All participants receive a balanced meal and a fruit snack three days a week. Through this program the local children and elderly have reached a level of health uncommon in Peru.