Navidad & To-Do List

Finally, a relatively easy, quiet week for me. Christmas came and went practically unnoticed here in San Luis Obispo de Tolosa de Canete. Most birthday parties here are a bigger deal. I caught a head-cold from my host buddy Fernando. He, of course, said that the open window and fan in my room were the cause, not germs. Enjoyed three more small earthquakes (tremblores) this week– 4.4, epicenter just 30 miles away – (a 5 second foot massage, as they say in SoCal.), a small 4.1 just off-shore and a 5.1 about 80 miles away near Ica.

One small event that caught my attention: I was walking in the town Plaza next to a woman and her? child, chatting about the unusual weather – it was (very lightly) raining. We both had plastic bags – mine from a most excellent 2 egg “pancito” sandwich, with onion and just a touch of aji – to discard. She threw hers on the ground and I quickly tossed mine in the trash can that was right next to us. Before I could go back for hers, the little kid ran back, retrieved the errant bag and slam-dunked it into the trash bin, as we shared a big smile and thumbs-up. Our new team then proceeded to pick up 4 more nearby bits of trash. Next time I see that kid, he gets a candy. Lesson learned : NEVER underestimate the power of your example to change the world – even a little.

San Luis is just the kind of town I enjoy – small enough so EVERYBODY exchanges greetings in the streets and shops, the streets are safe, with few stray dogs and folks always seem to have time to answer my Gringo questions about town history. Yet large enough to serve my physical needs 90% of the time. For the other 10%, I need only go about 5 minutes to San Vicente or another 10 minutes to Imperial, the later being only for rare items, as it is dirty, rude and full of hustles for the tourists headed up to Lunahuana, a nearby summer tourist spot for entertainment and rafting.

Another bit of Peruvian culture: I went to the main Canete market area, which is an enormous collection of small (15x15ft) stalls all clumped together in rows. Out front were a half dozen vendors with huge displays of……..bright yellow underwear, in all shapes and sizes. Also, lots of other vendors hawking all manner of New Year’s Eve party favors – all yellow. Seems that yellow is the traditional Peruvian color for luck in the new year. And wearing yellow underwear is thought to work best. Further on the NYE theme – “celebrations” seem to have already started here. There were several drunk men on the combis and in Canete. Why have just one bacchanalian night, when you can have two days??

Mostly, I prepared for a meeting with the Mayor and town council where I presented my official credentials and discussed which of a list of possible projects might be of interest. Also did a bunch of online research (Gracias a Dios por el Sr. Google – pronounced goog-lay) on public warning horn systems, chlorine injection pumps, tsunami history in Peru, native tree varieties, etc.

This is my project “to do” list (so far):

PROJECTS of possible cooperation – District of San Luis

Cuerpo de Paz Peru – Lic Gregorio Plimpton, Voluntario

1) Completion of Bio-digester #1 in Don Oscar

Only the gas lines are not connected. Also, cooperate with the municipality to locate a suitable site for Unit #2. The future site should be better accessible, so that it might better serve as a demonstration site to encourage more future installations of these systems.

2) Completetion of 6 of 18 cocinas mejoradas in Don Oscar

Prioritize and set locations, acquire some materials. In addition, volunteer intends to expand on the good work of the previous volunteer by conducting charlas for local brick builders, so that they might construct more cocinas as needed. Volunteer also hopes to construct “commercial” cocinas mejoradas in appropriate locations, such as Commedores Populares or Vaso de Leche. Some small funding may be needed to accomplish this.

3) Encuesta and Community Diagnostic report

Assess what annex (s) and information would be useful. Design appropriate Encuesta, carry out survey and write report.

4) Survey and Rehabilitate Eco-Banos in Don Oscar/Sta Barbara

Approximately 128 Eco-Banos were constructed in the beach area by a British ONG. Due to poor design and lack of education, very few are still in use. Volunteer proposes to survey the units, rehabilitate them and re-educate the users in their proper use. Some small materials may be needed. Possible sponsor : Gloria milk co-op.

5) Continued support for vivero (tree nursery) operation in San Luis

The previous volunteer, in cooperation with the municipality, helped establish a tree nursery in the community stadium, along with a compost and worm farm. Volunteer intends to support this project and incorporate trees which are salt/drought tolerant and require little water, as well as medicinal plants of the area, with the kind and continued support of the municipality.

Volunteer also will conduct charlas with local schools on the subjects of compost, tree reforestation and home gardening.

6) Tree planting program in San Luis sidewalks and beach area

A previous tree planting program in sidewalks of San Luis and the beach area was unsuccessful because of planting a non-native tree. Volunteer intends to investigate which tree variety (s) might be more appropriate to this area. There is a new government program to encourage planting desert hardy tree varieties (Huarango) which might provide trees and/or funding for such a project.

7) Prevention education about HIV / AIDS

         In view of the relatively high rate of this disease in the San Luis

area, volunteer intends to work with the Heath Post in conducting educational charlas and programs at various times throughout his service. This might include the “Pasos Adelante” program developed by Peace Corps Peru volunteers and includes segments on sexuality, pregnancy, drug & alcohol abuse and other sexually transmitted diseases.

8) Prevention / mitigation education about Tuberculosis

Similarly, volunteer is aware of a high incidence of tuberculosis, especially in the “hill” area of San Luis. Again, working with the Health Post to education the effected populations in prevention and mitigation of this disease.

9) JASS / Water system improvements

Previous volunteer has done good work with many of the local small water systems (the major water system in San Luis is well established and functions well) regarding proper system maintenance, cleaning, chlorination and disinfection. Volunteer intends to continue and expand this work in the following annexes:

a)   La Quebrada – work with well-established JASS on new water system maintenance and injection chlorination techniques

b)   Vista Alegre – work with ONG “CARITAS” to assist in operation of this (non-functioning) system

c)    Laura Caller – Attempt to organize a JASS, to provide regular disinfection and chlorination of the system

d)   Los Olivos – same situation as Laura Caller – needs JASS organization and training

10) Garbage Dump and service

Garbage disposal methods in the San Luis area contributes to air and water pollution. Volunteer would be pleased to provide information and assistance to the municipality to plan for a new garbage dump facility (sanitary landfill). In addition, there are many annexes which have no garbage service at this time. Plans could be made to provide storage facilities in these areas (Don Oscar, Vista Alegre, Villa Hermosa, Los Olivos, San Antonio, San Pablo.)

11) Water Sample project

Volunteer will continue to work with the Health Post in the collection and analysis of water samples to ensure proper water quality in the area.

12) Tsunami education and evacuation plan

Volunteer intends to work with the Civil Defense of Peru to establish a tsunami education, warning system and evacuation plan for the low-lying beach areas in the District of San Luis.

13) Children’s Parks

         Volunteer notes that there are very few parks for young

children in the area, with facilities for climbing, swinging and other forms of healthy outdoor play. Volunteers in other areas of Peru have successfully constructed such play areas, using recycled and other durable materials. Volunteer would be pleased to work with the municipality to find suitable sites and develop them. Some “Kids-to-Kids” funding may be available for such a project.

14) San Luis to La Quebrada and Imperial Combi Route

Volunteer notes that there is no combi service on the road between  San Luis and La Quebrada. Service on that route would provide residents faster and more direct access to the shopping and other services provided in Imperial. Volunteer would be pleased to work with the municipalities of San Luis and La Quebrada in petitioning for or establishing such routes with the appropriate combi cooperatives.

15) Water Filter manufacture

Volunteer is aware of a ceramic water filter design that has been used by several ONGs in Peru. These can be of benefit to residents in areas such as Don Oscar and other beach areas where no water system is available to assure healthy drinking water. These filters could be produced locally for very little cost if a suitable kiln could be found.

16) Presupeusto Participativo

Volunteer has been trained in the PP government funding system which could provide funding for major public works projects in the San Luis municipality and/or district. Volunteer would be pleased to work with the municipality in evaluating and proposing projects in the PP system.

17) Septic tank systems in San Pablo and San Antonio areas      

The volunteer has experience in the construction of septic tank systems and would be pleased to investigate the possibility and feasibility of septic systems in these areas where sewer lines are unavailable.

So, that’s what I’m looking at for the coming months work here. Lots “to do”, but ALL of it stuff I’m enthusiastic about. But, enough about work.

I attended the “2^nd funeral” service for the family patriarch, who died a year ago. They do a mass, a lunch, another mass, more food and a party for the guy, not to mention moving his remains to a new mausoleum. Maybe such devotion would be better spent on the living?

Some random notes:

Many, if not most, Peruvian women are….well…..chubby. This is accentuated by their insistence on wearing skin-tight jeans, which only squeezes the chubbiness elsewhere. Maybe they should just cut down on the huge quantities of soda and sweets ??

I’ve noticed that folks here “hunker-down” over their food, when eating. This posture, combined with generally short stature, places the diner’s face about 6” from the food. I tried it and discovered that it does shorten the distance between plate and mouth and, most certainly, increases the intensity of food aromas. That said, the voice of my grandmother jolted me back upright; elbows off the table.

Cell phone use and dis-courtesy here is worse than in the States. It is considered completely normal to answer a phone ANY time, ANY where. God forbid they ever be switched off. Even at the “2^nd funeral”, in the middle of mass, folks jumped up to answer phones. Cell phone service is really cheap (I pay about $8/month for unlimited calling to other Movistar users), so just about everyone has one. Many carry two – one for each of the major carriers here. While I do appreciate the convenience factor, the world needs to adopt some form of “cellular-civility”, least we become captive to the technology.