March 8, 2013 - Sr. Pauline

Good Evening:

I guess you have been wondering what is happening in Peru. It has been a busy week since we returned from Lima.

Having been away from Chincha for a whole week there was much that had be done that had been put on hold while we were away.

Now coming to the end of the week things seem to be calming down and now we can see our way clear to project what now needs to be programmed for the next couple of months.

I have found myself giving this entire week to the new families for the scholarship program and the project for the SET schools.

Other years the children in the SET schools started a month after the other school children, but this year the Government wants the nursery schools to start at the same time as all other schools. We are fortunate that the clean-up and painting of the SET schools was done early as we started when the youth were here, many other areas were taken by surprise and found themselves unable to begin classes.

Nancy has decided to write about her experience of the week so I will sent this out now. Thanks for your interest and concern for what is happening here in Peru.  Pauline

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I arrived here last Tuesday after an uneventful flight.  Sister Pauline and Yvonne met me at the gate and I spent some time meeting the Pilgrims and seeing them off.   It was good to drive to Chincha in the daylight for a change.  There has been and continues to be an incredible amount of construction all along the coast, with some rather impressive condominium communities.
However, the very poor collections of “shacks” still exist on the bare sand dunes.

Because I am here in March, and the children are back in school, I have had the opportunity to see the school system in action.   I visited and was very impressed with St Joseph’s Primary School. This is the parochial school right beside the church and the convent.  The school was destroyed in the earthquake and has since been rebuilt.  The building has many wide hallways which are open to the sky. Each classroom opens to the outside and there is space for many activities. But most impressive were the students in their classrooms.  Each student in their bright yellow t-shirt and brown shorts and working quietly. I think that we should have uniforms in our schools. Each teacher greeted me graciously even though I was unexpected. Among the teachers was Sister Gloria’s sister and among the students were several of her nieces and nephews who recognized me from visits to their homes.

I also visited one of the Colleges. Another well laid-out, very clean school. I was very interested to see the school and speak with some of the staff as I am sponsoring three students through this level of their education.  Well I guess I should say two students as one has just graduated from a three year course in accounting. I am very pleased with this but now, as at home the young lad must find a job. His sister is in her third year of accounting and his brother in his second year of computer programming and repair course.

Sister Pauline has been registering many new scholarship students and Janet and I have been visiting their homes to asses each situation.  By the way Sponsors are needed for some of these children so if you or anyone you know is interested Sister would be delighted to hear from you.
I accompanied Sister Gloria delivering three new sets of cushions for older persons confined to their wheelchairs.  They were very happy to receive these .The cushions were made by a lady who was given a sewing machine and necessities two year ago. This was from the monies raised by your donations at Sister Pauline’s request.   Lydia is making good use of this gift and helping her family. The first lady is 85 years old and lives alone. Very much alone it seems even though she cannot get around on her own. She has one friend who sets her up in the morning and returns in the evening to put her to bed.

Yvonne will be pleased to know that the wife of the old man who received the second cushion, has her double bed.  I took a picture for you. She is pleased.

The third cushion was for Rosa. Many of you have heard about Rosa being paralyzed when she protected her mother during the earthquake.  She is often bed-ridden and gets very bad bed sores.  I was surprised to find her in the kitchen, in her wheelchair, helping to make sweets from corn and put into corn husks to be sold.

I also went with Sister Maria to check on her construction projects as she had been away for a week with the pilgrims. Joel Chambi’s bathroom is now complete.  We are hoping that his Father will not allow the animals into it.    A house is being built for Sister Maria’s niece.  Sister checked on the progress of the wall and gave instructions to her workers.

I spent some time at the SET schools photographing improvements and new materials.

This morning I went to a wake.  A very young woman who lives not far from the convent died last night of kidney failure.  The bodies are not embalmed here. Because the lady was single she had a white casket.  The body was sealed in with a glass over the face and she will be buried tomorrow.  There will not be a funeral mass as there are so many deaths that  the priests cannot say a mass for everyone.

I have gone again this morning with Janet and Pedro to visit the homes of three new students and taken photos of their homes. It is not possible to describe to you the conditions under which most of the people live.  Even photos do not show it well.

I have visited Cathy Mahusky’s Family and delivered presents sent to them by Cathy.

Today is a holiday because of the grape harvest.  There is no school.  We will go out for lunch today.  This afternoon a mother came to Sister Pauline to register her son and to ask about possibilities for her five year old daughter.  This little girl has spina bifida and it is too late for the doctors to treat her. Her mother takes her to school every day in an old carriage. This evening we purchased a very strong stroller that should suit her size and help her back. She is very small and may not grow much more. We also bought a walker which may encourage movement with her legs.  She is unable to keep food down and so we purchased Ensure for her to try.  The Ensure is very expensive.

This is also the international day of the woman.  We will have to think of something special to do.
This is some of what I have been busy with.  I am enjoying my stay and hope that I am of some help.    It is very hot.

Talk to you later.    Nancy

Margarita

Rojas Abad

Romero Quintana

Shopping with teachers

Albino - Juan y Adela