Pachacutec - Thursday 11/9

Thursdays trip up to Pachacutec, the shantytown where Coprodeli also focuses their efforts, was busy busy. There is alot going on - various construction efforts (homes, schools, church), programs (social clubs, after school activities, meetings), and services (medical attention, food, education). Part of my job here is to act like a reporter - capture events and activities that go on oustide of the day to day routine. This job sounds easier than it is - there is a ton happening here!! Every day I am learning more specifics about the programs - how they are run, who they serve, what resources are utilized, what the long term plan is for the program, year end objectives, etc. I take my camera and notebook everywhere - and my shorthand has developed into a Spanglish combination that would horrify my Spanish teacher to no end. I´m in the process of writing my first report and trying to decide what story to write about first seems to be my biggest problem.

The two photos to the left are snapshots of the Pachacutec area. These shanty huts are typical of the community where over 100,000 people reside. They are made of reeds strung together. Most of the dwellers are here illegally, but since they have no where else to go, they come in droves. Actually, there was a group of people huddled together and when they saw me taking the pictures, started to swear and scream at me - they thought I was a newsreporter or government worker who was going to report them to officials. I quickly got back in the car...







This little girl is a Coprodeli student - she looked at me hesitantly and then smiled before turning around and meeting up with her siblings. The students go to school from 7:45 am - 5:30 pm, which is about 3 hours more than the public schools of Peru. Classes go until about 3:30, then they either do homework or participate in one of the clubs / after school programs Coprodeli offers, which includes English, Computer, Jewelry / Arts & Crafts, Music, Chorus, Theatre, Cycling, and Electricity. At least several of these activities are offered everyday - and many more are needed. A director at one of these schools would like to put to put a formal after school center together - ping pong tables, chess, puzzles, etc. - anything to give them another option than hanging out on the street.

Thanks to generous grants from organizations like USAID, Coprodeli can provide longer school hours and the nutrition necessary to sustain their energy all day long. Students, teachers, parents who volunteer at the schools, and some family members are fed lunch and a snack. Here is one of the newer comedores (cafeterias) during lunch time. The students go in shifts by grade level so there is enough space to sit.












Just a few pictures of the construction efforts currently going on. This site will be the home of 4 new classrooms - workers are working quickly to get it all done by Christmas and definitely by the new school year.




They just finised building one of new buildings for the CAE program which focuses on high risk youth. This program provides them an education, food, clothing, books and school materials, and psychological counseling.
This little girl is another Coprodeli student in Pachacutec. I must've taken about 10 photos of her alone - I thought she was just precious.