We buy fresh milk for our chocolatadas because its more nutritious and also because there is no waste in packaging. Each of these milk cans holds 30 liters.
Yesterday was amazing, but I am so exhausted by all of the travel. The farther out the villages are, the more they need help, so Im bracing myself for a December full of twisty mountain roads that make me carsick. Its certainly worth a little on my part to be able to reach families who need so much.
Not only are farthest from Cusco lacking in and medical care, they also dont have any way to get to a town where they could buy basic necessities or try to get medical care. The pandemic is far from over and I am always impressed when we go somewhere that doesnt have any Covid cases in the area. They really are staying isolated and I really want them to keep staying isolated.
Faced with so much need, I tend to feel overwhelmed. Its helpful to have my friends with me, and Auquis constant reminder that algo es algo. My Mom also sent me a quote from RBG that helps: To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you, thats what I think a meaningful life is. One lives
I love how much hot chocolate can make with the ingredients that we bring. For Mayubamba we brought 3 kilos of pure cacao, a bag of sugar, a big handful of cloves, a cinnamon stick the size of my arm and the 30 liters of fresh milk.
not just for oneself but for Mom pointed out that RBG had said a little better, which I need to remind myself is not totally fair and equal for everybody.
I can definitely make life a little better for some of the families that were visiting. That seems like a realistic goal for me. As with anytime Ive got a cause Im working for, I get frustrated when other people dont think that its as important as I do. Several times, we have run into roadblocks of one form or another from local government hacks who cant be bothered to call us back or organize transportation for us. I am dependent on local mayors offices to pick us and the donations up in Cusco, take us to the village and then get us back home at the end of the day.
Even yesterdays event didnt get much support from the Calca mayors office. The guy who worked with us, Elio Huaman, didnt get the help he needed from his bosses, but he made it happen anyway. I am so thankful that among the useless people in every administration there are often people like Elio who have
I really appreciate having people to help give out the kids clothes because Im terrible at judging sizes. This is my friend Henrys niece, Lucera, who came with us from Cusco.
After taking yesterday off, today Im working on the video of last Saturdays event. Ive gotten a little better at these over the past few months, but its still a laborious process for me. The first step is to listen to the interviews and speeches over and over, transcribing and translating simultaneously. Then, after I get all of the clips edited together how I want them, I put subtitles in English for everything thats in Spanish and Quechua. I cant translate Quechua by myself, but thats where in. I really couldnt do any of this without him and Henry.
Today, watching the clip where Elio speaks to the people of Airepampa, the kids running around just about break my heart. Sometimes, there are images that just stick with us, that really pull at our heartstrings. Whats really getting to me right now are their cold little feet. The kids I saw on Saturday were wearing one or two pairs of pants or leggings, at least two skirts and three or four
I am so thankful that Andrea, David and Sonia were available to help on Saturday! We bought the with donations, but Andrea also brought granola bars as an extra donation.
little sweaters layered on top of each other - but sandals on their little feet. It was cold and the kids didnt have any real shoes. Everybody had the same black rubber sandals that offer very little protection and absolutely no warmth. Theyre called ojota and cost less than $3.
