Chincha 1

Hey! Ok, so it´s been forever and a day (I believe that´s the technical term) since I´ve written anything on this blog and I`m sorry but I`m not putting up any photos until later but I WILL tell all who are still reading about my wonderful time in the city of Chincha, Ica.

For those of you news watchers you know that there was a crazy strong and destructive earthquake that ravaged the area of Ica and Pisco in Southern Peru a few months ago. Well, after much relief work has been done, many NGO´s and regional government organizations have started in the next phase of relief work which has to do with more behavor changes and infrastructure work. Hence, more of the topics that Peace Corps volunteers deal with and could be a resource for any Chincha "counterparts". SO, Peace Corps was awesome and set up a way for the Health and Environment volunteers of Peru 8 (that includes me!!) to come down to the provinces of Chincha or Cañete and work with an NGO called CARE who has projects running in the departments of Lima, Ica, and Huancavelica.

We are working in Chinca and CARE has several projects here but the one that we are helping with is a letrine project. CARE has pre-made the actual latrine and it is the communty´s responsibility to make the 2m hole in the ground that is 70cm x 65cm and has a 5 layer adobe brick base that sticks out of the ground by 20cm. This way water or dirt can´t easily get into the hole and then when the letrine is set on top, there is a base for all that weight (it weighs 100kg). Ok, anyway, point is that CARE is giving them a letrine but they are also training them in not only the use and maintenance of the letrine but also basic hygiene hand washing as well.
That´s how we are helping... We are doing house visits with the different families, some have received a letrine and some haven´t, about how they are going to or are maintaining their letrine and when they wash their hands, etc. We are also conducting a hygiene "fair" with the children of the community to teach them the importance of hand washing and also make it fun.
Ok, that´s what I´m doing right now, more details and PICTURES on the way!!!