Tuesday, Feb. Whatever

Today Nancy and I peeled potatoes and carrots for about 2 hours helping the ladies who prepare the food for the Meals on Wheels delivery to the very poor Peruvian style. They start cooking at 730 and have huge pots over huge stoves. The menu consists of some type of soup each day and today's main course was Spanish Rice. The food delivery is very well organized as they have a list of all the sectors and how many people are in each sector. They have a route mapped out and the three ladies who cook serve the people in the areas that have many coming. For others, their individual food is dropped off for them personally. One lady lives on her roof all day and her food is delivered by a rope she puts down. She has her little dog up there and the view must be good. Anyone who can pay a few soles does while most of the others are too poor to pay. Anyone in need gets fed, all ages, and Father Alex has no restrictions on relious affiliation either. Very cool and very right I think.


Nancy and I visited the day care and I took pictures of each child so they can be posted on the wall by the teacher. Father Alex started the day care because parents need to work and are very poor. They would leave their small children alone during the day because everyone old enough including older siblings needs to work. Sometimes the parents returned to find the children dead or the house burned down. The parents of the day care children pay a small fee and their children are safe and well fed with excellent teachers. Any place Father Alex sees a need he makes it happen to meet the need.


Father Alex is teaching the people skills so they can support themselves. Most of these people came from the remote villages and herded alpacas. No alpacas in the mission town, no education, and no skills equals no chance for a better life. So, he has a knitting shop where the women come to learn knitting on a machine and they sell all types of items including scarves, hats, sweaters, etc. The men are taught workworking carving and they had 25 show up for a meeting the other night. They hold these classes during the evening so the people can work during the day. But those jobs consist of menial labor such as shining shoes with very little pay so these skills offer a better life.


Bernie and I went back to the clinic in the afternoon and it was crazy busy. We all have ideas for how they can have an improved workflow and maybe even rearrange their layout. We are asking lots of questions of the staff and the interpreters are volunteer college students. The clinic has grown so fast they haven't had time to really plan and we are the fresh eyes that can see some areas they may be able to change. I spent some time with the dentist this afternoon as well.


Next time I come I will have taken the Spanish for Healthcare at the Tech because then I can interact a bit easier if I know some of the language. I am picking up some already. The people are all wonderful and the poor are especially greatful with lots of hugs and kisses. Not everyone treats them with respect but they are simply a victim of circumstance. They are hard working if given a chance. That is what Father Alex says and he is right. I am very blessed to be able to come and meet everyone and share our experiences and ideas.



Sally Marohn