The Homes Purpose

So we've been here a month, and its been great! I'm not sure we've been clear about what the home's purpose is or about the situation of the children, so I'll explain a little bit. These kids are from very poor area's in Peru, most live in what the doctor calls, "the provinces", which means on the side of a mountain. The streets are not paved, there is no water supply or electricity, the homes are very simple, with dirt floors. Their families are very poor and the health care near where they might live is either very poor or simply non-existant. When the child becomes ill or gets injured the parents struggle very much to get them somewhere to be treated. If the family is fortunate than eventually the kids will end up in Lima, because the care is the best there. But because the illnesses and injuries are serious the children need therapy, follow up visits, or a series of surgerys which are in Lima. For most getting to and from Lima is very difficult, a day or two travel time one way at best. The families can't afford to travel so often or to stay for months or even years in Lima for the treatment, thats where the home comes in. The home is a place where children can stay while they need the medical help. The families are also in capable of paying for the medical care so while they are at the home, they receive free medical care from the hired nurses who are always on duty. Also all of their therapy, surgery's, and appointments in Lima are paid for. The children do not have be go to Lima everyday or even every week but as long as they need care they will stay in the home. During their time their the doctor also pays for their schooling. They go to private Catholic schools or are tutored in the home, and for most of them it is their first opportunity to go to school. In addition to these things, the recieve catechism classes every sunday and those who have not recieved certain sacraments or are of age they are taught and recieve the sacraments that they need. All the children that are capable have chores that they do everyday in addition to Saturday which is cleaning day.
   Our job is to pitch in a much as possible, just making sure that the day goes smoothly. Also we go into Lima a few times a week with immobile children to help take them to their doctors appointments. Many children can't bring themselves to the bathroom so we bring them.
   Please continue praying for all of us here, kids and volunteers.
Andrea and Kelli

So sorry this is way over due.

Hello. So we've been pretty busy lately. We are working for around 14 hours a day with only a few breaks so free time is hard to come by. Saturday we went with the kids to a recreational area all day so that an organization could replace all of their mattresses. Sunday was mass and we booked our bus tickets for Piura, a province in northern Peru. We will be heading there on the 7th of October, to work in an orphanage. The other 3 volunteers just left on a trip to Cuzco so this week we are alone. That means every day one or both of us will go into Lima and back at the home we'll have a lot more work to do. Today we had a little break actually. There is a group of American ladies that live in Peru and call themselves Friends of Tony...(the doctor we're with). They give him funds and take the kids out a couple of times a year. Anyways today they had a luncheon for Dr. Tony and the volunteers. I was incredible. We had to drive quite far to a very nice part of Lima, and when we entered the apartment we forgot we were even in Peru. The home was gorgeous. It would have been considered upper class even in the United States. We had an amazing meal and a nice time. The food had flavor!! And we got to have mashed potatoes, salad with dressing, chicken that didn't look disgusting, and some dip thing that had pepperoni in it!!! It was so nice to have an American meal. Not to mention the cheesecake, pound cake, and ice cream. We also enjoyed hearing so many people speaking English! But after 2 hours we had to get back to reality. 
   We are both healthy now. No more infections or kidney stones. But who knows whats next! Anyways keep us in your prayers. The kids as well. We're praying for you.

Andrea and Kelli.

Some Pictures

End of Week 1

   So our prayers were answered! More volunteers came last night. Hopefully they will be helpful. Its a girl (19) from Maryland and a boy just out of high school from Idaho. Sarah and Morgan. On Tuesday both of us went into Lima separately. Andrea went with 2 babies and Kelli went with a bunch of kids. It is about an hour and a half bus ride from where we are staying. To get there we take a public bus. Of course the drivers are crazy. The majority of roads don't even have lines...not like anyone would pay attention to them. The very first time Andrea was getting onto a bus she was still standing on the steps to get onto the bus, and it started driving away. She was holding a baby!! The bus lady had to like hold her from falling.
   We haven't said much about the food, but every morning we have bread, with jelly for breakfast. Then for lunch there is always soup, that always has rice carrots, and some green vegetables in it. Also for lunch we'll have maybe potatoes, rice always, and like eggs or something. Dinner is usually different. Last night we had like a spinach pie thing. It was good. And yesterday we had spaghetti for lunch. That was really good.Meat is as rare as snow in Florida. Although the other day we had some really really good stuff.
    Keep prayin.
-Andrea and Kelli