Benefit for Peru family is a big hit

Bob and Judyth Ullman wanted to help a family’s children in Peru by holding a fundraiser on Whidbey Island. They succeeded beyond their expectations. “A great time was had by all and we raised $3,370 of the $5,000 needed to build the small house where the children can stay while attending college on the mainland,” Bob Ullman reported.

December 17, 2005 8:00 am
Bob and Judyth Ullman of Langley donned traditional Peruvian garb during a benefit Dec. 10 to raise money for a small house for the Yanarico children to use while getting a higher education in Peru.
Bob and Judyth Ullman of Langley donned traditional Peruvian garb during a benefit Dec. 10 to raise money for a small house for the Yanarico children to use while getting a higher education in Peru.

Bob and Judyth Ullman wanted to help a family’s children in Peru by holding a fundraiser on Whidbey Island.

They succeeded beyond their expectations.

“A great time was had by all and we raised $3,370 of the $5,000 needed to build the small house where the children can stay while attending college on the mainland,” Bob Ullman reported.

“We are very thankful for the generosity of our community in opening their hearts to a family on another island a continent away,” he said.

As reported in The South Whidbey Record Dec. 3, the Ullmans met the Yanarico family of Amantani Island — patriarch Simon, mother Candalaria, Nely, Lucrecia, Esther, and Jhon — by chance on a journey through Peru last summer.

When they discovered the children were doomed to a primary education for want of a domicile on the mainland, the Ullmans decided to hold a fundraiser.

Yanarico had explained that a small house in Puno (a four-hour boat trip from their home) where his older college-age children could live and study was needed. The couple later learned that dream would cost $5,000.

The event held at Langley Methodist Church featured food cooked by Peruvian chefs Romi Ronero and Jessica Cabrera from Lynnwood. The 80 people who attended enjoyed a menu which included chicken with peppers and garlic, squash and corn stew over rice, chicha morada (a blue corn and pineapple drink), and a quinoa, fruit-and-nut torte for dessert.

The music by vocalist Marco Cortes on strings and Diego Coy on pan pipes, flute and drums was lively and heart-felt. Jessica’s daughter Kimberly, 12, performed two lively Peruvian folk dances.

Two special attendees were members of the North American Peruvian Horse Association, who read the story in The Record. They came dressed in traditional Peruvian equestrian outfits of black and white ponchos and leather cowboy hats.

“We believe the Yanarico family of Amantani Island will be surprised, pleased and excited that we are so close to having enough for them to build the house for their children to go to college near Puno. Our idea was simply to find a way to help one family at a time,” Ullman said.

The Yanaricos impressed the couple with their dignity and serious demeanor.

“It’s not too late to help,” he added. “For those interested enough to contribute, call me at 221-7715.”