Project 2 - Azul Wasi (Oropesa)

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For the last two weeks of September we have been volunteering in the nearby village of Oropesa (litteral translation Heavy Gold). We were helping to build an orphanage. Most of our efforts were directed towards building a well, digging trenches and slinging mud. Needless to say it was a tough, dirty job that left you with a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.

There were a host of water problems encountered while digging the well, and unfortunately we were not able to see it completed before we left, however the foreman said we were only 3 days away.

Oropesa is a little town tucked away in the mountains. Our 1 sol (30 cents) commute was approximately one hour every morning. The town is famous for its sweet bread. We ate it right out of the stone oven.

The orphanage is expected to open in October. They have been working on the project for almost a year, and have experienced setbacks due to lack of funding. The person heading the project is a police man that has worked with steet kids for 12 years. A common problem he has encountered is that although there are many organizations and orphanages, they do not commonly accept kids that have been on the steet for long periods of time. Those children usually have a lot of baggage -drugs, theft, etc., and thus these organizations refuse them and there is litterally nowhere for them to go other than the streets. So this policeman decided to do something about it, and this orphanage will accept anyone.

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Photos

Mike in the Well!
Mike was another volunteer we worked with on this project.

The Top of the Well
This is is Adrian (our Peruvian foreman), Milla (daughter of Adrian), Mike, and Angela (both volunteers). The well is constructred from reinforced cement and is approximately 5 meters deep.

Kevin Digging
It was necessary to dig a trench for a drainage pipe from the well.

Comments

[Marshall Hatton]

I wonder.....
Hmmm, I am a little confused as I have yet to see Joelle do any 'work' on this holiday. The one picture that was there of her painting, it seemed as though there was more paint on her than the wall. Well Joelle and Kevin, there will be alot more 'volunteer' work when you get back to Whitehorse, so I really hope that you got lots of satisfaction and a sense of acomplishment out of it. Now I guess the real holiday begins. Eating 'ripe' food, breaking down on local transport, getting lost, having to watch that your bags and pockets don't get lifted, sleeping in dirty sheets, etc..... ok, you are right, I am JEALOUS. have fun -M

[Pat]

What a great idea!
The travel blog I mean. What a great way to keep everyone informed and give us a glimpse of what you're doing. What an experience as well, the travelling and volunteering. It must have been hard to be with those kids then leave. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I look forward to hearing more stories when you get back. Pat