HIV/STD Education Program Photos

Photos from the PEPFAR funded program, with Gloria Yaya OB/GYN nurse at the local health post

Gloria has the patience of a saint and great teaching skills. Now she has the tools, too. Here she is testing a youg man on his condom technique

The kids in the class made a street mural for World Aids Day

Gloria learned great activities at the PEPFAR training

The graduating class of HIV leaders

Playing HIV Jeopardy at the Health Fair

Presenting HIV Awards at a school assembly

Special T-shirts to promote HIV awareness

Communion

Camila's First Communion (and mine)

Just couldn't get her to smile

Attending a First Communion mass was done out of obligation. I just couldn’t say no to that precious, pleading little face. So, I went. Usually, Peruvians show up tardy to most any event, it’s called “Hora Peruana”. But, in this case, the church was packed well before the appointed hour, meaning I would stand at the back of a warm, windowless, tin-roofed temporary structure, inside the fallen, ancient church, until the new church is complete. The one redeeming moment was when I pressed forward for a photo and Camila squealed “Look, it’s my friend Goyo !”, adding proudly, to her friends, “He’s from the United States.” The rest of the hour and a half was a rapid fire agenda of processions, recessions, incantations and too little music. The speed was both astonishing and merciful, as the main purpose seemed to get done with the affair. Kind of like bad sex.

The pachamanca afterwards more than compensated for the earlier discomfort. To begin with, it was wonderful to see “my kids” – Camila, Santi and Amir. I’ve been missing the rascals since their parents moved to Lima and farmed them out to local relatives. Sadly, they’ll be moving to Lima themselves at the end of the month. And then there was the feast itself. . Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian feast, cooked in an earth pit. A clam bake of sorts. Wood is set into the hole in a very particular pattern and covered by clean round stones. The fire is lit and heats the rocks and all the food is carefully placed – again in a very specific way, so that all the ingredients will be ready simultaneously. The food is covered with multiple layers of washed banana leaves, then burlap sacks and then about 6” of dirt to insulate. A cross with flowers is the traditional “topping-off” ornament.

After an insufferable 2.5 hours, the dirt is scraped away, burlap and leaves peeled back to reveal a steamy, perfectly cooked buffet. This feast was : pork, chicken (wrapped in mint), lamb, potato, sweet potato, corn and fava beans. And it was all succulent and delicious. Beer, wine, pisco and good cheer flowed at all quarters. And I waddled home – an over-fed, but very happy camper.

My friend, Popi, patriarch of the Duenas family at the goat farm, mercifully passed away last night at a hospital in Lima. It was a sad visit with Avelino this morning remembering this wonderful man. He suffered a stroke last week, that left him ½ paralyzed and speechless. At 87, he had a long and rich life, surrounded by loving family to the end. Until his stroke, he worked in the fields every day – it was his joy, caring for the herd of goats. When I saw him in the hospital last week, his eyes said he was ready to go. Thankfully, he got his wish and was not kept artificially alive, as might have happened in the US.

This is part of the Peace Corps experience. We are in country long enough, that we become part of the community – feeling both their joys and sorrows. The people we serve are not anonymous faces in a distant land. They are my friends and family – people that I share meals with and look in the eye. I would not have it any other way.

Gloria and I presented awards for the AIDS program at the Colegio in front of the morning “formation”. It really is a formation, where kids march onto the parade grounds and do military style movements to the barked orders of an ex-Army colonel. The kids have worked hard and attended after-school sessions to complete before Navidad and summer vacation. (remember I’m in the southern hemisphere).

And the playground project is inching along – jungle gym and swing set complete, work started on see-saw. Looking good, so far.

It will be another Christmas – Navidad without the hoopla. Very few people here put up lights or any other decoration. There is little frantic shopping for gifts. There will be MANY small parties, all featuring a very light fruitcake called pantone. Last year, I was certain I would OD on the stuff, tasty as it is. The cake is washed down with chicha morada, a traditional drink made from blue corn. And there will be numerous processions of adorable moppets to the church. I really like this low-key approach to Christmas.

Passages

Dear Cristina, who sold me peanuts every day, is gone

The shrine to "Popi" - his ever present planters hat and boots

It’s been a week of passages, with a Farewell Party for Dan and Carrie, married PCVs who live(ed) in the Canete area. They were a big part of my request to be posted here in Canete and I was not wrong. They have been a huge technical and personal resource for me this last year. And dear friends. Two of America’s best and brightest, who cared enough about this World to give two years of their young lives to help improve life for the residents of Nuevo Imperial. The sadness of their departure was tempered by welcoming two new Volunteers – Ingrid and Kate – both environmental PCVs. And so diverse. Kate is right out of college, while Ingrid has eclipsed me as the oldest PCV in Peru. The constant parade of Hellos and Good-Byes is reminiscent of my time at Esalen, where I learned that behind every Good-Bye, is a Hello, just waiting to happen.

Another, more final, Good-Bye to my dear (Mamita) Christina, who died rather suddenly this week. (photo attached) She sat on the corner every afternoon, selling peanuts, popcorn and roasted fava beans. Her welcoming smile and warm eyes was a daily lift to my spirit. My life is richer for having known this sweet, kind woman.

Mi “Popi”, father and patriarch at the goat farm, suffered a stroke this week, while out tending the goats. He is 87 and still doing manual chores around the farm. Visiting him in hospital was difficult. As I looked into his eyes, I saw a painful plea for freedom from his spirit – normally so vibrant, now laid low and half paralyzed. I remember the same look from my Mom, days before she died of cancer. And that same helpless feeling inside – not able to help.

And so, it’s back to “work”. My brilliant community partners kept everything rolling along during my 3 weeks absence for vacation, teaching, training and Mid-Service med checks. Vidal, our trusty and innovative welder has been sawing and welding the jungle gym and swing. Next are the teeter-totter and then slide ladder. He’s been slowed somewhat by his move to a new house and shop. Gloria and Esther have been moving along well with the HIV program. The kids did some awesome street art for World AIDS Day – photos to follow. The biodigester technology is really catching on. Will plans to build one with a cuy (guinea pig) farmer at his site. Yes, we eat them here, though I can’t say I’m a big fan. At the goat farm, Avelino was proud as punch to show-off his digester and explain all the details. His level of enthusiasm and knowledge will ensure the sustainability of this technology long after I’m gone.

On that note, Dan & Carrie’s departure brought to mind my own service “mortality” – a reminder that I have less than a year left – in reality only about 10 months. There is still a lot to do here – another water system has asked for my help with cleaning, sanitation and chlorination, more students and adults to train in the various technologies and promoting the “pico” solar systems. As with Death itself, I am grateful for that small voice that whispers in my ear “Carpe Diem…Carpe Omnis Diem”.

Lab work results showed my human suit is functioning well within design specs, free of any parasites and viruses. A return trip to Lima was needed to remove stitches form my dental work (yes, the cavity was THAT big). Dental issues well resolved. Feeling fit and frisky. Very much so.

One of the new Volunteers got mugged in nearby Imperial, on a busy street in broad daylight. A guy showed a knife and then pushed her to the ground, running off with her bag. He got little money and a cell phone and bank card that are now unusable. Imperial is the only creepy city in our area. Such a crime is unheard of and unthinkable in my little town or any of the rural villages. Another reason I don’t care for cities. She was shook up, but rebounding like a trooper. And she had very cleverly stashed a cash reserve at her house. It’s especially sad when we who have come to help are robbed or attacked. Of course, they don’t know that. We look like any other (rich) Gringo – a nice fat, easy target. And, she is getting full support and comfort from all of us in the Canete area.

Her home site is a perfectly safe little town, just outside of nasty Imperial. The huge plaza made me envious of the luxury of open space, which San Luis lacks. They’ve got a great playground for the kids and even a superb skate-board ramp system.

Mid -Service Conference

The Peru WATSAN training group - Who's the old guy in the back ??

It was a busy week in Lima, running hither and yon between medical and dental exams, appointments and lab tests. We were lovingly and expertly guided through the process by the outstanding PCMO medical staff. I’m pleased to report that, other than a monster cavity, everything is where it should be and operating well within tolerances. I’ve shed about 24 pounds during my time in Peru – drilled two extra holes in my belts and happily suffering from “baggy-pants” syndrome. A week with hot showers and excellent, albeit “pricey” food is always a treat.

It was wonderful to spend time with my fellow WATSAN training group. We are officially now called WASH, but a Water & Sanitation PCV by any name smells just as sweet. A close bond developed during training and it was sweet to be with “the gang” again. The PC staff at the Center in Lima was just as welcoming as ever. The place really does feel like home-away-from-home. I must comment that the event was marred by some adolescent behavior and hung-over tardiness by a few of the group. While it might be written off to youthful exuberance and inexperience, it reaffirms my commitment to promotion of “older” Volunteers after I return to the States.

A PowerPoint slide show of first year service projects is attached, as I presented to the group.

click here to see Progress Report 

 In addition, I’ve enjoyed two vacation trips – exploring the jungle and deep desert of Peru. It truly has been a great ride so far. I have been blessed to work with outstanding community partners, very helpful Municipality, PCVs and staff – and to live in a comfortable site with great infrastructure. And most of all, I give Thanks to all my wonderful family and friends, who have supported me and CHEERed me on through this extraordinary adventure. Next year could be even better.

A really sweet treat was when “Mama Kathleen” our training guide and guardian presented us with letters we had written to ourselves a year ago. I got a little teary, as I read a letter from the “me” of the past. Always nice to hear from a good friend.