proyecto de cocinas mejoradas

This year I will be working on a project with my community that will integrate improving health, hygiene, and living conditions of mothers and their families in my community. I have organized community leaders to prepare this project to construct improved stoves for families with young children. Most of the materials and labor will be provided by the family, however the chimney and stove top are very expensive (often the biggest barrier to having an improved stove). So, through a program called Peace Corps Partnership Program, we are looking for donations to cover the costs of the stove parts that the community cannot make or afford. Each stove is about $50 and there are other transportation costs for a total budget of about $2,500.

Installation of improved stoves and educating mothers about rural environmental health will be a sustainable means of improving the overall health of the community. The project will integrate improvement of household infrastructure and maternal education in order to develop healthier families in the community. 37 mothers have signed up to participate in the project. Every mother lives with a family with young children in conditions of poverty. If the project of Healthy Homes and Improved Kitchens is not implemented, families in the community will continue practice poor health habits in their homes. With the current method of cooking over an open fire, there is a high risk of acute respiratory infections. Having an improved stove and healthier and cleaner kitchen will contribute to a decrease in respiratory infections and other sicknesses related to poor hygiene. Additionally, having an improved stove will save 40% of firewood, which is currently used excessively, taking money out of the pockets of families, as well as negatively affecting the environment. Donations are fully tax deductible and it is an easy and secure process. You can simply go to this link: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=527-014 to go directly to my project. Or, you can go to peacecorps.gov, click on “donate now” and search for my project. Here is some information you may need:
Project Name: Healthy Homes and Kitchens
Project Number: 527-014
Name: Sayre R.
Country of Service: Peru
Peru Project Type: Health and HIV/AIDS Volunteer
Home State: Virginia

Thank you so much in advance if you can help in any way; through donations, spreading the word, or just learning about this important international development and environmental issue concerning the cooking and health habits of half of the world’s population and the effects on global health and global warming.

If you have access to The New Yorker, there was an interesting article in the December 21, 2009 issue. Here is a link to the abstract, but if you can find the whole article, it is a great article and touches a lot on improved stoves in world development: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/12/21/091221fa_fact_bilger Here are some pictures of cocinas mejoradas and some of the families who will be beneficiaries of the program.

And finally, I’m sharing some pictures that show effects from cooking over an open fire, what “cocinas mejoradas” actually look like, and some of the beneficiaries of the project. Thank you!

paseo con las cabras

This past week, as I was walking to the neighboring town of Chipillico, I ran into a señora and her 12 goats. She was taking her goats on a walk from her house to her chakra (farm) so that they could graze. Usually I find that I walk a lot faster than most of the local people (which might be due to having 10 extra inches of legs and not being accustomed to the slow-moving culture that doesn’t believe in time constraints). But on that particular day, I decided to walk leisurely to share a conversation with the woman; and she walked pretty fast in order to keep up with me and her dozen goats. She told me about how excited and proud she was that her cow just gave birth to two calves earlier that day. We talked about our families, the rain, the new harvesting season. She asked me questions about my parents (my “papicitos,” as she called them) and what my land is like. Even though it was only a conversation that lasted a half hour, conversations like these are ones I will always remember.
People ask me if I get lonely here. It would be a lie to say I never get lonely. But getting to know my community members and immersing into their culture and way of life keeps me happy and reminds me why I am here and why I truly do love it. The people of my community have taught me so much and changed my perspective about happiness. Despite facing conditions of poverty, in their day-to-day lives they are content and appreciative with what they have. When I decided to do Peace Corps and come to Peru, I thought I was coming to teach and help a community in need. What I didn't realize was how much I would be learning from my community.

Here are some pictures from our “paseo.” Right after we snapped the picture where she is posing, we had to run after and herd the goats back together (a 15 minute process) because they saw the photo op as a great opportunity for them to run off and graze in some rice paddies. After this walk, I have newfound respect for herding. It was remarkable how this little old woman could keep these goats all together on her 3 mile walk.

biohuerto

One of the community health program initiatives is planting organic gardens. Because the diets here are so carbohydrate centered with little or no vitamins, putting free vegetables into the mother’s kitchens is an easy and effective way to improve nutrition in our communities.

Back in June, I did my first garden with the community of Pampa Elera Baja. A few months later, a lot of mothers had heard about the project and were interested in doing a garden in Pampa Elera Alta. 15 women signed up to be “socias” of the garden project. We all prepared, planted, water, weed, and tend to the garden. In return, each woman can take vegetables out of the garden. Additionally, the socias are participating in demonstrative nutritional sessions with me where we prepare foods with what comes out of the communal garden. The mothers are not accustomed to cooking meals with say, spinach, or broccoli. I have been working with them to show them some good ways to incorporate yummy vegetables in kid-friendly meals.

vacaciones útiles

School is out for summer/rainy season in Peru. Normally during vacation, the kids in these small rural communities have little to nothing to do. For this summer vacation, I am doing a “vacaciones útiles” program (Useful Vacations/ Summer school) with all of the grade school kids. I have over 50 kids participating in the program and the first two weeks have been a big hit. All of the parents have been showing gratitude for me (free mangoes!)
I am teaching an English class, where the kids are learning basic English and the older kids are preparing for high school English. I also have an Arts, Crafts, and Dance class, where we are doing different creative projects and learning typical Peruvian dances, with some American dance moves thrown in too. And lastly, I am teaching a Sports, Physical Education, and Health class. Stay tuned for more pictures and stories about summer school/camp!

¡visita a los estados unidos!

Over the holidays, I traveled back to Virginia to see friends and family. It was an amazing visit. My only complaint is that it went by way to fast. Just as I started to get settled back into Charlottesville, I had to hop on the plane to come back to Peru. Even though it was hard to say goodbye to loved ones, it was great to see them and feel their support; and now I am ready to start my final year in Peru.

While I was home, I got to catch up with a lot of friends from high school and college. It was great seeing all of you! It was also wonderful spending time at home with my mom, dad, sister, and dog. I am glad that we could all be together again.

Another cool thing I got to do while I was home is visit the fourth grade class at my former elementary school, Virginia L. Murray. I finally got to meet the teacher and students I am working with for our correspondence program. Each of the pen pals in Peru sent New Years cards to their friends in Virginia. I shared stories and pictures with the fourth graders, who were very interested and curious about Peru and our community of Pampa Elera. I also got to take some pictures to share with the kids in Peru.

I am happy to be back in Peru to continue all of my projects and spend time with my host family and friends. But I definitely will miss everyone and everything from the States!

promociones

In Peru, school ends in December and preschool, primary school, and secondary school celebrate their graduation. Here, they call it “promotion.” Being my second December in Peru and my second round of promotions, I really have noticed the significance of these ceremonies for the kids and their families. The whole family attends the ceremony, the kids get all dressed up and each brings a date (it is kind of like a combination of US prom and graduation, plus a lot more food and alcohol). Here are some pictures from the promotions in my town from high school, elementary school, and preschool.