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Published: November 7th 2007
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Day 1
with Kirsty and Tom Tom and I were both were both interested in lending a hand and participating in some voluntary work in Peru, after hearing about the devastating earthquake in August this year. Tom did a google seach and HODR (Hands On Disaster Response) came up. We read up on it and decided we should find out more. We sent off an email and that was the beginning of our HODR experience...
We arrived in Pisco on Oct 11th around lunch time. As everyone there told us we timed it perfectly cos lunch was just about to be served. We weren't really sure what to expect and had discussed on the bus trip up that we'd stay around 5days and then head to Bolivia. Nearly two weeks later we were still in Pisco and when the time came to say goodbye we were sad to leave. (Though Tom is heading back in a couple of wks). We were welcomed with open arms. Everyone was super friendly, hand shakes, smiles, hellos, introductions, we felt at home instantly. Kirsty (the most HALARIOUS gal I have ever met, from Canberra Australia) took us under her wing. She showed us around and told us the ins and
outs of HODR. After lunch we headed to a rubble sight and began digging rubble and moving filled barrows. It was very physical tough work but we knew we were doing some good so it was rewarding also. In fact on my second or third trip to the rubble I pile a car load of people drove past and 2 local ladies in the car were blowing me kisses! It was so sweet and from that moment on I knew how much our work in Pisco was appreciated.
My first few days in Pisco I was on rubble removal. I was working alongside Kirsty and Tom for the first couple of days and we shared some very funny moments. Kirsty's highlight was when Tom threw up on me... We had these cup cake things that were very famous in the HODR house, called BIMBOS. We had a huge box of them, though you had to be careful as some were out of date, and sometimes even moudly. Tom ate one and straight after I asked him to put a bandaid on my lip (I had nasty sunburn blisters on my lip and wanted to protect them from the dirt
Hardcore
I know I don't look too pretty! and dust) he leant over to look at it and out came the bimbo he had previously scoffed, right onto my shorts and leg. It was hysterical, though I think Kirsty laughing was even more funny! Though what came next was even funnier... Tom said ''I thought it was a burp''!! We shared many a Inca Kola (such a yummy soft drink, kinda like Pine Lime, I think that's what it's called), many laughs and many ''smokos'' Thanx to Kirsty being a wonderful leader 😊 No really we did work hard, it was an amazing achievment seeing a cleared property after a long days work!
Basically rubble removal involves clearing debri from peoples property. Much of Pisco was destroyed in the earthquake. Houses were either partly or completely devastated. Our job was to fully demolish the houses and clear the properties so that families could have a temporary house constructed on their land. Sledgehammers, picks, crowbars, shovels, gloves and wheelbarrows were the essential items. And trust me your muscles really felt it the next day! A lot of the houses were made from doby (spelling?) brick which is basically dirt and water mixed together (as it is the cheapest
material to build with) therefore they weren't very sturdy. It only took a few people to push against a wall before it came tumbling down.
The main church in town only had the front doors still standing. During the earthquake there was a funeral service going on and approx 140 people died when the church came crashing down. Imagine, being at a funeral that turned into your own, ironic hey?! And devastatingly tragic! The town was dusty and dirty and there were rubble piles everywhere you looked. Sadly some locals kicked back and drank beers whilst watching us work. Though others were inspired by the time and effort we were putting in to help clean up and rebuild their community, and devoted their time and energy to helping us. That was heart warming as were the hugs, hand shakes and smiles saying thank-you!
The towns people, in Pisco, were very welcoming and very friendly. They were all keen to know where we were from and what we were doing in Pisco. When we walked down the street in our HODR t-shirts we recieved many warm smiles and friendly "HOLA's" from locals. I had several chats with lovely locals which
was fun as well as helping to improve my Spanish skills.
The Earthquake was the worst in over 100years and it really did destroy a large amount of the town. I heard appox 80%, can you imagine? Your home and friends and family lost in the space of 2mins... yeah that's how long the earthquake lasted. It sounds short when you say it like that, but take some time and sit there for two minutes and think about how long it really is. I was told the town shook so much in that time that people couldn't even stand let along walk. We also saw shocking footage during and after the earthquake. It was like watching something out of a movie, really scary and unbelievable footage!
The days I wasn't on rubble removal I was working with Ludotecha! Which is basically a safe place for children to go to escape abusive families, or just to get away from their disturbing lives for a few hours a day! We played games, inside and out and laughed a lot! I thought it would be hard with my little Spanish, though it really is amazing how far a smile goes 😊
I made lots of friends with really beautiful, bright, bubbly children! Just delightful! They really craved attention and affection and we couldn't give them enough! It was demanding, but such fun and rewarding work and something I will remember very fondly!
Another highlight was Pisco Olympics! Nic, Dewy, Kate, Tom and I organised the day. Nic had the idea the night b4 and the group of us came up with many a idea about what events we could have! Such as apple bobbing, tug-of-war, musical chairs, egg and spoon race, relay... The next morning a group of us were at the market (Lucas, Pedro, Dewy, Kate, Tom and I) and walked past a trophy shop! We thought it a good idea to buy one for our Olympics day! HA! Was such a laugh!! We also bought appropriate materials for the day... the day (well a couple of hrs in the arvo) went swimmingly well and everyone had a blast! There were two teams and I happened to be on the team that won! Dewy presented the trophy in his smashing pink budgy smugglers as you will see in some pics! 😊 Good on you champ 😊
Our time
in Pisco was a highlight of our 2months travel together! We formed some wonderful friendships and participated with an amazingly constructive and inspiring organisation!
Thanks to all the happy faces at HODR, you really are an incredible bunch of people with a lot of love to give! 😊
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