While visiting his native country of Peru in 2005 with a few friends, Jose Aliaga of Independence Township said his friends noticed two things: Peru is very rich in natural resources, such as gold and natural gas, but also very poor because of lack of education and manufacturing knowledge.
‘My friends said ‘we should make a foundation and try to help these people by promoting the goodwill of America,” Aliaga said. ‘I thought it was a great idea and they helped me out to put the foundation together.?
After two fundraisers this year, the foundation provided school supplies to 300 children in the poor village of Sonimo Junin, Peru. Speakers have also been brought in to talk about economic development at the universities.
‘For example, right now we’re working on two agreements, one between Wayne State University and Continental University from Peru to sign an agreement to exchange the students, so that way American kids who have opportunity to go down there and get tuition, help for housing, food, and are able to practice Spanish and see the culture,? he said. ‘Peruvian kids are able to come to America and be able to study English as a second language, so that way you help economically for both institutions.?
Aliaga said he sees lots of potential for Peru and Latin America to rise economically and not just sell their resources, but be able to manufacture and produce the resources.
‘Right now Latin America doesn’t have the right leaders over there,? he said. ‘In South America we have people like Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela and Evo Morales, president of Bolivia promoting anti-Americanism.?
Aliaga also said the Spanish Club at the University of Michigan-Flint is hosting a fundraiser for the foundation on Dec. 11, to help raise money for the orphanages.
‘Working with the kids is working with the future of Latin America,? he said.
For more information visit www.aliagafoundation.com.