Hi everyone!
We've been in Pisco for about a week now, though it feels like it has been a lot longer. The 8.0 earthquake that happened on August 15th destroyed about 80 percent of the city and ruined about 85,000 houses. Rachel, Leah, and I have been working with an NGO called Hands On Disaster Relief. The organization is great and I'm really glad we were able to find them. The work itself is pretty intense. We work from 8-12 and then from 1:30-5:30 and so far most of the work has been clearing rubble from houses that were destroyed and throwing all the contents in the street so that the bulldozers can come along and clear it all. Our goal at the moment is to clear spaces large enough so that the families can get tents or modular houses that are being donated and put them up to live in temporarily. My body is finally getting used to the work, but I could hardly move after the first few days because I was so sore!
In addition to clearing rubble, I also spent one day sorting clothes in a huge warehouse at the port. Donations have been flooding in and unfortunately, they are not getting to the people who need them as fast as they should. A couple volunteers from Hands On are trying to work it out so that we can help distribute some of the supplies to areas that have not yet received any aid. Yesterday I also spent a half day working at a UNICEF sponsored project with kids who are living in a refuge camp. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to be able to help provide a sense of normalcy for kids who have just had their worlds just turned upside down. I'm hoping to go back every week that I am here. We originally committed to a week, but I think we'll stay here for a month.
When we arrived there were about 25 other volunteers and now there are about 40 of us with more expected to arrive soon. It has been fun getting to meet people from all over and I've been impressed in general with how easy it has been to share a small space with so many people. Our lunch and dinners are prepared by two local women and we all take turns doing the dishes and all the general clean-up.
Love, Katie
3 comments:
Thanks for the word-picture that gives me a sense of your days. It's great that you have created the flexibility in your trip so that you can extend your stay when you choose to. Thanks for the pictures too. I'm thinking of you three and holding you in the light.
Love, Mom xoxo
Katie Dear!
First you should know right off that the facebook photos worked just fine; much easier than the other service you were using. Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us all.
Second, I'm very proud of you. I know you have been working hard with your heart (always) in the right place. Your mom must be so proud of you too. Keep doing what your doing and being who your are. I hope you can swing your way over here to S.F. soon...you'll always have a place to stay.
Take care.
Hey Tates,
Thanks for your blog. It's so refreshing to see what you're doing and to hear some about your experience of it all. What do you think now about your earlier question about how south america would be different from central america?
I'm so glad to see what you guys are working on in Pisco. The whole living situation looks really creative and positive with so many people working together in a common, very urgent, goal. I know with few comments it might feel like you're not writing to a lot of people, but I LOVE HEARING EVERY DETAIL (and I'm sure everyone else does too), so thank you, and don't hold back from writing more! : )
Much love,
Sky
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