I have been back in Lima for about a week, but still very busy - planning and helping to write proposals for projects in the next phase of the response (reconstruction and rehabilitation). I wanted to take a moment though to thank you all for your prayers and the encouraging words you all have sent in the last few weeks. It has been a challenging time, but also an awesome experience of being to serve those in great need. Here is an update about the relief activity I have been involved in these last few weeks with FH-Peru.
In the first two weeks we opened 4 comedores (soup kitchens) and several ollas comunes (a more informal community soup kitchen). We served over 2000 people three meals a day for ten days, and now those comedores are continuing to operate with donations from other entities and/or collected funds from the communities themselves.
We also helped in the distribution of over $1 million dollars worth of medical supplies, and medicine (donated by an associate organization MAP Int., and Johnson and Johnson). Those supplies were distributed between the hospitals in Chincha and Pisco (both of which sustained serious damages), and also to several community health clinics in the Chincha area. In several cases those medical supplies were put to use right after the were recieved.
In additon we distributed 100 tents to some of the most vulnerable famlies we have been working with in the four communities where the comedores are located. Elderly, single mothers, families with many small children were among those who recieved tents. Most other families have constructed make shift shelters using bamboo, wolven straw mats, and plastic sheeting (as seen a a few fotos).
Here are some other pics for our work in Chincha.
In the midst of the destruction and difficulties the earthquake has left behind, it has been amazing to see how the Lord has used the FH staff to bring light and hope to the families and communities we have been serving. Through the organization of the comedores, affected communities were able to bring something good into their current situtation of chaos. Please continue to pray for the families affected by the earthquake, and for those in the governement, and NGOs (including ourseleves), that we would all be able to work together to find ways to help those affected begin to rebuild their lives.
Bendiciones,
Lauren
