Los Peruanos

Do you know, I love working in Peru. I really do. And there is one major reason for that; the Peruvian people. Unlike the stereotype some people have of South American countries -- siestas, fiestas, corrupt governments, manana-manana attitude -- Peru is quiet the opposite I have found. The Peruanos have huge hearts. They are dedicated to their people, and work often back-breakingly hard to support their families, friends, communities. They give charity at every level. They go out of their way to help a stranger as they would a friend. They laugh a lot, enjoy their chicha beers, are connected to their culture; know the old dances, language, philosophies. Values of community, physical work, connection with Mother Earth (pachamama), spirituality, centeredness, are so prominant, that people put aside more superficial values of money, fame, and success without thinking twice. The children are happy and playful, even with runny noses. Taught to work hard, the kids here are loved deeply, nursed and carried against moms safe back for years, but expected to be independent and to pitch in. One man explained to us the Ancient Incan morality as the famous phrase: Dont be lazy, Dont lie, and Dont steal. Its really these values that we see in the modern people.

So why is this coming up now? Besides every single day receiving an education from the Peruvians in generosity, selflessness, priorities (family, friends, community), today bore a special example.

We have been talking a lot amongst ourselves about the needs of the community here that we can work on in the future. A mobile clinic is a pretty straightforward goal which would be helpful. A more long-term one would be to establish a shelter for women and children subject to domestic violence. As I have mentioned in a past blog, we see many women bad situations (though my guess is that the numbers are comparable to the US; others here believe it is more pronounced because of cultural acceptance. Research question!). We saw this as a need, but it is most important what the community sees as a problem. Clearly we can only help out a community effort since a) were not so big and powerful b) were only down here one month a year and c) most importantly this needs to be a grassroots effort owned by the community (just aided by us) as this is the only way it will be embraced and sustainable. So today we had a meeting with Dr Sotomayor who works at the Lamay clinic day to day and spoke with her about our idea for a womens and childrens shelter but made it clear that we only are suggesting this as a possible course and her feedback would determine our course of action. She got really excited (for the first time as far as I have seen), and said she has been thinking about this need but never had any money or specific external push that could get it going. And she rounded us up and took us in the ambulance to the site that she has been plotting to use for this purpose. It is the old clinic. Abandoned for three years, in cobwebs and peeling paint and broken windows, we all looked at it and saw a brightly painted safe and healthy shelter building. She even showed us (though we couldnt get in because the bars on the front were rusted together), where the guard would sit, how the fence would run, she had this all thought through and just needed a little help to get it going.

This is how the Peruvians are. Forward-thinking, hard-working, and community oriented. When we think of an idea, they had thought of it already last year, but they just dont have the resources to do it. It is so rewarding working with them because they have all the elements and drive to better their own lives, they just need a little money and attention and energy to do it. And those are the only three things that we can really bring with us, so its a perfect partnership.