NEWS from Alto Cayma, Arequipa, Peru

Report # 4
March 18, 2008

Students:  Holli Hughes, Taryn May, Christy Byrne, and Nate Bach

      Thursday, March 13, 2008 we were fortunate enough to accompany Karen, a volunteer working here for a year, on home visits to interview families for the CFCA program. There are thirty new sponsors from the US ready to provide financial support for thirty different families. The difficulty is deciding which thirty families are most deserving considering the living conditions and significant need.  In total there were 150 families that applied for the thirty spots. The program administrators developed an in-depth interview process to facilitate the decision-making process. For each family visited we gathered pertinent information and took pictures. The following information was documented:

• Name, age, and occupation of each person living in household
• Total rooms in the house
• Number of people sleeping in each bed
• Electricity, refrigerator, stove and bathroom availability
• Average income per month
• Overall condition of the house (including: materials used for floor, walls, and roof)

       One particular family we visited left a lasting impression on our group. As we began the interview process, the mother became tearful and could barely answer the questions being asked. On further investigation, we discovered her family has been robbed twice in the past month. There were seven people living in a three room house; all sharing two beds. The children were hesitant and scared to speak to us.  It was obvious they were untrusting of unfamiliar faces. The youngest child had symptoms of cerebral palsy although medical attention for an official diagnosis had not been sought. While Karen was interviewing the mother, we had the opportunity to interact and further assess the three year old boy. It was clear he had not received any treatment as evidenced by the contractures of all four limbs. We informed the mother of the physical therapy program Karen had started, the days and times of each session, and the location for the sessions. The next day the mother showed up with her son for the physical therapy session. This follow-up demonstrated that if people are informed and educated about the resources available they are more likely to seek the help.  While on this trip our group has seen first hand the importance of education and how positive outcomes can be met through the education process.

       After experiencing many home visits and seeing family after family in similar conditions, we were excited to travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu for some rest and relaxation while immersing ourselves in the culture. Upon arrival we realized that it is impossible to escape the poverty that plagues most of Peru. Although Cusco is beautiful and historic, there is an undeniable lack of opportunity. Hiking Machu Picchu allowed us to escape this reality and experience one of the wonders of the world. It was built in early 1300’s and discovered in 1911 by a history professor from the US. These ruins gave us insight into the Incan culture. There are no words to describe the intricate architecture created using primitive tools. This unfinished city is remarkable proof of human strength and perseverance. We all felt fortunate to have been able to experience such an amazing piece of history.