Cusco Coraje is an organization in need of donations.

Sharon presenting Gladis Jimenez the first brick for Cusco Coraje’s building.

NEWS FLASH---Gladis traveled day and night by bus over bumpy roads to Huancayo winning first place in a 21 K a marathon! And, Ruth will be traveling to Argentina soon to compete in a marathon! Go—Cusco Coraje!!!

RECENT DONATIONS---

Bill Greene, of New Life, Inc. donated twenty two children’s racing chairs. The challenge of transporting them to Peru from Washington DC was met by Joni and Friends, a California-based not-for-profit Christian organization.

Their project, Wheels for the World, collects wheelchairs and sends them to nine separate correctional facilities in the U.S. where trained inmates meticulously restore them for distribution around the world.

Eleven children’s racing chairs and one more basketball chair  were distributed to the Lima Polo Society and eleven to Cusco Coraje in October 2004, Sharon’s fifth trip back to Peru. Sharon’s husband, Billy, also a retired basketball player, donated his basketball chair to Cusco Valeroso.

After Sharon’s experiences in the 1973 Pan American Games in Lima, she promised herself that she would “give back” for the opportunities she herself received.  Twenty-five years later in 1998, she met Pepe Lopez owner of Apumayo Expediciones who invited her back to Peru to assist him in developing a tour for people with disabilities particularly those who used wheelchairs. And so began a journey that would rekindle her relationship with Peru.

Upon Sharon’s arrival to Cusco, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a young man who had long strong arms from pushing an old-fashioned wheelchair. A retired basketball player/coach, Sharon quickly saw the potential in this young man. In the excitement of the celebration of Peruvian dancers and musicians, the man disappeared before she knew his name. It would take a few months before Pepe could locate him. 

Sharon’s long time basketball friend, Donnie Langford donated the first basketball sports chair. At a presentation before Peruvian news media, the young man wept at the sight of the purple chair presented to him.

On her fourth trip to Peru, Sharon would meet Ruben Dario Benavente, who brought along four friends. With the Andean Mountains overlooking an outdoor court in the Municipal Stadium, Sharon conducted an impromptu basketball clinic, with the help of Pepe for translation.  Despite reminders by Pepe of the high altitude, Sharon, of course threw herself into the moment to make the first three baskets herself. With this ‘starting five’, Sharon asked them to form an organization.  With Mayor Miranda’s wife, Ivonne, present they officially formed their organization. Sharon christened them, Cusco Courage or Cusco Coraje in Spanish as testimony for their daily courageous struggle for a better life.

Cusco Coraje which began with 5 members has grown to over 100 members.