Friday, July 28, 2006

a tiny parade for independance

Yes, July 28th was Peruvian Independance Day... these little ones in the top left-hand corner are doing their best to march patriotically.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

frustration


Today I spent two hours trying to teach Julie (a different one) the concept of decimal places. I used drawings, stories, marbles, numbers, water bottles, etc., but failed. Frustration. I almost lost my patience and yelled at the kid: "Don't you get it, for the 50th time..."

What the hell are these kids learning in school?

Lizette, Tamara, Mr. Beder, Evan, how do you do it?

our problems

Here's a quick note:
  • Close to 100% of our kids have cavities
  • Close to 100% of our kids suffer from chronic malnutrition
And wait 'til you hear about academic problems (reading, writing, mathematics).

Extreme poverty is a bitch...

dry urine stinks

Some of the children in our workshop come to learn stinking of dry urine. I want to cringe, step back, yell but choose instead to bide my time.

All our children suffer from extreme poverty and some from extreme lack of hygiene. Something must be done, cultural relativism aside.

Any ideas?

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Juan Carlos, Gilean, Chayo y Luzero



This is Chayo (purple pants) and her siblings Juan Carlos, Gilean, and Luzero... more on them in a bit.

Monday, July 24, 2006

another week begins

The third week begins. The long hours and grey weather are combining to make the time pass by quickly. I apologize for not writing much here for there is much to tell. Soon I'll be calling on you to help me in this endevour... more to come.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

kids watching

We had a small show in the "taller." Kids love to watch.

Yuly, Jefferson, Evelina y perro

It's hard to take candid pictures of kids... they love to pose for the camera. This is as close as I could get today.

Yuly, the girl in the blue sweater, suffers from hyperthyroidism. She is 10 years old but is barely taller than 6 year old Evelina on her left. Evelina is made of tiny features, sufferening from chronic malnutrition and with some serious dental problems.

The dog is infested with fleas, vicious ones.

Jefferson is chill.

28 de Julio

This is a quick look at community of 28th of July. The children we work with are plucked from the surrounding communities.

Friday, July 21, 2006

the details

So the question is: what is going on?

As you all know I'm here as a volunteer, working specifically with kids from communities in Carabayllo, in the northern section of Lima, Peru.

I arrived on July 8th but refrained from posting about those early and unhappy days. Now I feel a short introduction is needed to fashion place and time.

Place:
I would prefer not to live in Lima. Like many of the residents here "me toca." The city in winter is not welcoming. Skyes are perpetually grey and the air is like cold mud, a mixture of humidity and terrible smog. Of course, I must confess that I have not had time to get to know Lima. I spend my mornings and evenings in commute, 60 minutes to and from the work site via highway. Once I reach my point of destination, be it the office where the magic happens or what I call presently home, I am exhausted and coughing, not interesting in learning my surroundings.

Carabayllo is where I work and deserves a more thorough write-up. That's next.

Time:
I live one hour ealier than those in New York. However, the time here is not so easily defined. For example, the community of San Gabriel exists partially in the past: there is no running water here, no plumbing, no roads. Among this backwardness we have the artifacts of the present: electricity, cell phones, television, and internet cafes.

That is all for now.

San Grabriel

There it is, the community of San Gabriel in Carabayllo.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Bienvenidos a Carabayllo: Distrito Histórico y Ecológico

Here I am, cold and unprepared to begin the work ahead. This blog will serve today as depository of thoughts, impressions and other emotions evoked by the reality of Carabayllo, its inhabitants, my coworkers, and my mission.

In time forth this will serve as a reminder that I tried to do good, my own foolish way.

Stay tuned.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

why is this here?

Dear Friends,

"We must become the change we want to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi

On July 8th, I depart New York and leave you and all that is familiar to volunteer in the slums of Lima, Peru. I will be spending the next 12 months teaching children reading, mathematics, swimming, and music as well as helping to research, design and implement plans for a children's museum. My efforts join the admirable work of Partners In Health (PIH), a non-profit organization committed to fighting disease in impoverished settings. I call for your financial support to help me realize this important work.

Every year, millions die of diseases that are treatable and in most cases curable. Poverty is the great ailment here as it denies many in this world access to adequate healthcare and related services. Partnerts In Health is committed to treating the poor and removing the economic and social obstacles at the root of disease. Their community-based model provides excellent medical care, training, education, and social services to high-risk communities. In the face of severe poverty and social inequity, PIH prevails, and so do its patients.

I have been granted the opportunity to join PIH by offering my skills, time and energy to their Child Health Program. I am passionate about health, education, and children and am a perfect candidate for this position. More importantly, I am confident that I will shine and make a positive impact on the daily lives of those around me. Your financial support is necessary because it places me in direct contact with those who need help the most.

As a non-paid volunteer, I will need your help to cover the costs of living in Peru for one year. PIH will provide housing and two meals six days a week. However, the combined cost of airfare, medical insurance, and daily expenses amounts to nearly $4000. Although I have done my best and saved $800, I will not be able to cover the remaining expenses without your help. In making a financial donation consider the following:

  • A $200 donation covers living expenses for an entire month. If twelve of you choose to donate this amount, you will guarantee that I will be able to make an impact for the entire year.
  • A $100 donation covers a decent portion of my travel expenses. If ten of you choose to donate this amount, you will make sure I get there and come back.
  • A $50 donation covers health insurance costs. If twelve of you can donate this amount you help me remain healthy and able.
  • A $20 donation covers two to three days of food and living expenses. If ten of you donate at this level, I will have the financial support for a month of good deeds.

By making it possible for me to volunteer, you support the fight against povery, disease, and inequity. Your contribution pledges solidarity with fellow activists and all those who suffer.

Please contact me at carlos.carter@gmail.com if you are interested in making a donation or have questions regarding this work.

I am most grateful for your support and leave New York confident that I will return having become "the change we want to see in the world."

Yours,

Carlos

P.S.
Spread the word!