How it Started

In 2022, Shegu was seeing nonprofits in neighboring Huanchaco and Trujillo and noticed that his hometown, Puerto Salaverry, lacked access to the same types of resources, support and opportunities. With his experience working with other nonprofits in the past, he decided that if other nonprofits wouln't come to his hometown, he would just start his own nonprofit. He got together with a couple of his friends, Camille, Anna and Diego, and together they dreamt up Jark'ay. While some people came and went, 

While it took a while to begin, trying to get all of the paperwork done and a solid plan made, in January of 2024, Jark'ay welcomed their first volunteer. They began by just giving surf lessons in conjunction with Beto, a local surf instructor. As the organization grew, we began holding our own lessons and classes.

While teaching English, was always an idea Shegu wanted to do with the organization, it was when he saw a child earn a little money translating something in English for a worker that he realized the value that learning english can have for kids. Claudio Alberto Raimundo Delgado and later the City of Salaverry let Jark'ay use an old childcare facility to hold their english classes. With that, they began doing english classes 3-5 days a week, and adding in sandboarding and surf lessons on the other days.

Taking care of the environment is something Shegu and his partners are very passionate about, and a mindset that is lacking in Salaverry. Together with Salaverry TE Quiero VERDE, they are working towards creating a more green and sustainable Salaverry by planting trees! Their environmental projects do not stop there, One of their partners, Juan Marroquín has created a special sifting tool that make beach clean-ups more effective, so they now facilitate beach cleanups with the children, volunteers and community members once a month. 

Our Partners