Nourish international – blog post 3
Trujillo Peru

We are now in the final stretch of all our work. The projects that seemed like such large goals at the beginning of the month are now shrinking to completion. This last week was mostly focused on finishing the construction of five more cocinas mejoradas. We accomplished completing two on Monday and rocked out three in one day on Hump day. Twas a fun week of bonding with our adopted Peruvian father, Andres. You don’t really know how close you can get to people until you’re elbow deep in mud with them for an entire day. We accept the dirt and accept the fact that none of us are wearing remotely clean clothing. Being clean is overrated anyway. I got an immune system right? Anyway the women, for the most part, have all taken pictures next to their new kitchens and we have been able to slightly improve the lives and health of at least 10 households with our work in Jesus Maria. I think the main struggle for us asa group during this particular project was choosing who had more need for these kitchens then others. Who, by circumstance, deserved to breathe in less smoke than another. We can only make so much impact in the month we are here so physically choosing who to make an impact on was a moral struggle but we took the most logical approach. It was a need based project and those with the most dangerously unhealthy circumstances got to worry a little less about the struggle of cooking everyday. The problem became most prevalent when we had to actually say no to building a kitchen to a woman who lived further down the hill. We had just finished constructing a kitchen for her mom and tried our best to explain to her that we were unable to do more than 10 in two weeks and that her part of town was not the main focus of the project. A project that had been planned for quite some time. She ended up understanding in the long run and hopefully her family figures out a way to use the one Cocina mejorada they have to their advantage.

Ciudad de Dios has also been another focus this week with their new vinchas, just practicing my Spanish, but in English yah they’re making headbands. It’s quite an extensive process, introducing a new product and design to people. Further, trying to teach them how to output a genuinely good product that people want to buy is harder then one would think. I think the women feel disconnected from the customer or really don’t know that much about the market they are selling to but they definitely struggle with understanding on what the difference between a good and bad product is, detail-wise. The fact is, the more unique a product is and the harder it is to make, the higher the market value. That’s not all their is to it but it is something the women should strive for, and doing it right. It is hopeful now that they have mastered the making of the following products: purses(two styles), change purses, and, as of now, headbands. They are a genuinely happy community that wants the best for their children and each other. I want them to see this cooperative as an opportunity to keep increasing their lives, buy a few nice things every once in a while, invest for future emergencies or vacations, the options are limitless. Their well being comes first over all. Hopefully they realize the latrines that were built a couple years prior are going to improve their quality of life immensely. There is always something more that can be done to improve this term called “quality of life”. I think some get carried away with that term because most know it’s true, money can’t buy happiness. It is hard to be sad about missing out on something you don’t even know exists. This used to be the case, and I actually think ignorance was bliss in certain aspects, but now a kid can just do a simple a Google search and see that the world has soooo many different levels of quality of life. Not all are fortunate, not all are unfortunate. The difference is that many, and I wish a percentage existed, that are born unfortunate take advantage of opportunities and lift themselves out of their not ideal circumstances. Your life is your joy ride, you make the decisions, you make the changes. I think that may be the main difference between developed and third world countries. There is poverty everywhere, all over the world. However, the opportunities that are presented to get out of this poor quality of life are very minimal some places and in abundance in others. It takes one person and one opportunity to make a difference in that persons life. I am extensively hopeful that the women of Ciudad de Dios see the cooperative we’ve formed between them as a legitimate opportunity and take full advantage. The twist is that you cannot make someone want to change the way they live their lives. Motivation comes from within. It’s tough to force this drive for something better out of someone who is comfortable with their current well being.

As an overall reflection, I personally feel extremely connected to all things we have done here. I care so much about the people and the way they live because I feel their pain and know that it is similar to the pain of my ancestors. My mother is Peruvian. Her parents were born in Otuzco and Chiclayo. Both towns near the communities we’ve been working in. Both not the wealthiest of neighborhoods. I can’t help but feel like I owe my unconditional devotion to these people and what they represent. It is captivating to know that they represent a culture that I was born into. I am fortunate to live the life I live today. I wouldn’t of been here without my parents, my grandparents and their ancestors before them. I know Peru is a huge country and has many a population… But is it so weird that I feel more connected to them within a day of talking to them then I do with some people I’ve gone to school with for years? The Peruvian culture has taught me to love all and be true to who I am. How can I not automatically feel the connection I have with those who have grown with the same morals. I cannot even fully fathom the effect this trip has had on my life. I have found myself more then I ever knew I could. There is something about this country that just brings out my joy and love to be alive. I’m ecstatic that I was able to be here for a month while also working for an amazing cause. I’ve walked in the footsteps of my grandparents.. Both of whom I never had the opportunity of having a full conversation with. I hope they are looking down on me right now with guiding eyes and further are proud of my mom for venturing to America to seek opportunities for her children while simultaneously instilling in us how proud we are to be Peruvian. I hope they know that I will forever love my Peruvian culture because it is a part of who I am. This is not my last time in Peru, it is one of many visits I intend to make in my lifetime.

Karla Davison