Students and families across Wayland will launch the 2013 Loose Change campaign from January 26th to February 3rd to collect coins for remote, mountain schools in Peru. These schools need the most basic supplies: books, pencils, and paper. Our spare change will make a huge difference in the education of the children in these isolated communities that have no government or other nonprofit support.

Loose Change is a part of Hatun Runa, a Wayland non-profit dedicated to improving the education and healthcare of children in this region, many of who have no electricity or running water. With the enormous support of Wayland, Loose Change raised $15,000 in 2011 and $12,000 in 2012. These funds have brought hundreds of books to mountain schools, and also funded the construction of a new school building in Atuen – a village so remote that building materials had to be packed in on mules.

Start looking for your loose change so we can reach our goal of another $12,000 in 2013. It is extraordinary just how much can be accomplished with all those coins hiding under chairs, in pockets, or behind the sofa. Loose Change collection jars can be found in all the schools, and in many stores, churches, temples, and offices across town throughout the week of January 26th.

100% of all donations will go directly to purchasing books and materials for five schools located in small villages high in the northern Peruvian Andes. Remember, even one penny buys a pencil in Peru.  For more information go to www.hatunruna.org where you will find videos, photos, and information, including a video of students with new books in the village of Atuen.