Life before Independence Days

The 28th and 29th are Independence Days here in Peru. The streets are bustling with people and military parades right now. Hugo and I are on the way to Cajabamba for what is becoming the annual Open Air Painting competition. We are heading out with the whole clan: Vicki + daughter + 2 nephews + Amy & Blake. We are going to camp out in Vicki's cousins living room and we are hoping for good hiking weather. We are also hoping for a successful art competition, with Hugo's name in the headlines.

This work week was short, but full. I already feel like a Friday, even though it is only Tuesday. How is that possible?

Our two literacy groups took their literacy tests and did quite well. We didn't get 100 % goal achievement, but close. After the literacy tests we played Alfabet Bingo to give away some fun prizes. The hardest thing on Monday for one of our women that just kept winning Bingo was identifying all her letters. Will still have to work on that when we start a new literacy series next month.

Today I slipped out of the office to visit our 9th new and active village bank: Amigas (Friends). It was so very cool to be in their humble cement living room, watching them learn for the first time how to collect the loan repayment. They didn't hesitate or say, "no, we don't know how to do it." They just starting doing it, under Eliabeth's direction, of course.

Campo Catch-Up

Since my arrival back into Cajamarca I have had to play catch-up and do some Campo (countryside) visits. On Monday I went to our literacy group outside of Los Banos to remind them that their 3 month 'test' is happening next week. I had to explain that the test is a good thing (not a scary thing) and it will help us see if they have improved and moved towards reaching some of their individual literacy goals. There was still a little fear in their eyes when I said, TEST, but hopefully that will go away come next Monday when we celebrate their advances.


Following the literacy check-in I visited the village bank Progresistas who were scheduled to prepare to start their 2nd cycle of loans. The group had their Acta meeting; where they agreed on group rules and bank regulations, voted on their Directive and came to other bank agreements. There was some miscommunication about place and time so we started late, but in the meantime there was plenty going on. Paola, former bank treasurer, came early and shared with us the story of her sick daughter. She has tried medicine, doctor's visit, other remedies, but nothing works. Her daughter is permanently sick. The women listened to her story, syptoms, etc... and came to the conclusion that Paola's daughter was 'scared.' She needed a cleaning (either with a candle, newspaper, egg or guinea pig). The closest available cleaning object was a candle, so the older grandmother that was strategically positioned next to Paola, took charge. She whispered something into the candle and then passed the candle over the little girls body. At the end of the process, they lit the candle and the cleaning was done. Let's hope this poor little thing gets better.

Then on Tuesday I accompanied Elizabeth to form yet another village bank, Azucenas. I was so glad that I had accompanied her; this group of women is just plain energetic and full of life. When the formal process of forming the bank, swearing them in and giving them their loan money was done, I invited them to participate in Hope House activities. I didn't really need to do that since half of the group had already signed up for computer class. That same half, plus a handful more also signed up for sewing and cooking class. I hope their excitement and interest doesn't fade as they begin to participate with us. Finally, we took a group picture. I said, 1, 2, 3, Cheese! The group burst out in laughter. The word Cheese appeared to be one of the funniest thing they have heard all year.

Jumping back ... Right into First Aid

I have landed safely in Cajamarca and made my way back into the world of village banking, once again. It was as if I hadn't left. There were classes going on the day I returned, women showing up late, children trailing after their mom's footsteps and teachers asking for copies. The same stuff. Time stood still. Actually, it was nice to see and know that things can happen while I am away. That is a sign of sustainability. Although it was Amy and Blake taking over for a bit, and not Peruvians (the ultimate goal of sustainable village banking), it still points to the direction of sustainability.

My arrival conveniently came right before the 2nd First Aid class in Los Banos. So I was able to witness the class learn and practice taking respiration counts and blood pressure readings. It was very cool. Women really enjoyed using the stethoscope and taking each other's readings. Elizabeth encouraged the women that enjoyed these first First Aid classes (we plan to hold continuing classes on burns, cuts and injections) to consider purchasing the tools to take blood pressure reading in their communities. People pay for that service. Another business idea! I saw a lot of women nodding their heads in agreement.

The Last Lima Embassy Visit

So, as many of you know, Hugo and I have been on a long Visa road with the U.S. embassy. Everything culminated with his visit last week, on the 15th to be precise. We were scheduled at 7:30am. When we arrived at 7:15am, the line to enter the embassy was already halfway down the block. We entered, got our number and sat in the crowded waiting room. Had to pay the small $400 fee and then wait again. Other families, individuals and couples were called into the last room, that felt like it could have been a mini prison. Vaulted door. Complete privacy. We waited almost 3 hours before we were finally called at 10:30am. We went in the room, with clamy hands, to meet our fate.

To make a long story short, our fate is to travel to Minnesota together next spring, March 2010. The not-knowing is over! If you are reading this from MN, we will see you soon!

Home - Hot Sweet - Home

There is nothing quite like being home in Minnesota for a (brief) summer vacation. It is hot, there are tank-tops, more skin than I am used to seeing, but it is wonderful. Long days. Lazy. Endless supply of brats. Gorgeous sunsets. Green. Bikes. God, Minnesota has got it all. My only (2) complaints so far were my extended visit to Terminal A in Newark, New Jersey (due to my world cup replaying watching, I missed my plane, and got lucky to do a standby) and my 24 hour 101 fever virus that knocked me down and kept me in bed for the day. Other than that, what else do you except from an 11 day trip? As much as goodness as you can squeeze in a short amount of time. Didn't see good friends, or visit the waterpark, or go for a long bike ride...but God willing Hugo and I will be back on my stomping grounds next spring and we will do all of that plus a whole lot more.

Happy summer to all!