Jumping back into life and Building Houses!

So much for taking it slow... this past week found me jumping back into life in Orocuina. Ready or not, here I come! After learning there was very little for me to do at our weekly planning meeting, I decided to come up with my own work plan! My new work model is lead by example. Even if I am unable to make change on a large scale, perhaps by starting at home, I can inspire the change I would like to see in those around me! (Here`s hoping ;) )

Among other things, this week found me:

• Beginning a natural medicine garden
• Marching in protest of mining concessions
• Teaching first aid to teenagers
• And building a house!

The most rewarding experience by far was assisting a family put a roof on their home.

A few months back, one of the health volunteers the Association works with approached me seeking assitance for a family that needed help building a home. The family has faced extreme obstacles that most of us can ever imagine- the result of which, they were living in a tent made of promotional banners and sticks. While Project Lluvia funds have finished, I made them a deal: If they could come upwith the wood and materials to strengthen the structure and build some walls, I would provide the roof. Two months later we put the roof on the house!

Our very first visit to the family´s home

The house the morning we arrived

The finished house!

I was lucky enough to spend the day with the family, puting up the roof, and was incredibly humbled when the family bought chicken to make us lunch. (Most families only purchase chicken for Christmas and Easter.) While having lunch, I asked them if they had ever thought about starting a small garden. After discussing access to water and other details, I made them a new deal that I would help them start a garden if they promised to keep it up. There were many other ideas discussed over lunch, and while I know that I can`t do everything alone, I hope that this is the start of a relationship and perhaps a model for larger scale work (on a shoestring budget).

We took turns hauling the aluminum sheeting from the highway to their home

Stripping wood to create supports

The girls loved the camera :)

That evening, after I headed home, a huge rain storm hit and while I thought of all of the families that still do not have rooves over their heads, it was comforting to know that one more does.