Friday, July 8, 2011

Oh hayyy

Early this morning, we awoke from our peaceful slumbers, got dressed in our heavily worn scrubs, and grabbed mototaxis to El Centro de Salud (Health Center) in Punchana.  There, we met with Dr. Luis Rodriguez of PAHO, who introduced us to several local health workers who will be helping us navigate the streets of Punchana in our quest for clean water.  As we waited for Letizia, our newest guide, to gather maps and examine our list of houses, Dr. Rodriguez took us out to a patio near the back of the health center.

Behind the health center, sprawled green vegetation as far as we could see. There were a few new houses on stilts that were under construction, but beyond that, nature abounded.  With this beautiful lush backdrop, Dr. Rodriguez took this time to explain many of the cultural obstacles that health workers face in Peru.  Despite the beauty that Peru is known for, there are many "feo" (ugly) diseases that lurk in the cities and rural areas. Dr. Rodriguez explained to us that there had been outbreaks of Yellow Fever in some areas in Peru in previous years. The victim of Yellow Fever would vomit into a bucket and ultimately die. Then, that same bucket would be used to prepare the food for the victim's funeral. People would come from nearby villages, eat the food, return to their villages, and bring the sickness with them. Culture and sickness are inextricably linked here (and everywhere), so we must make sure that we pay careful attention to customs in our area of study.

After many interesting stories from Dr. Rodriguez, we were finally ready to begin! We first landed on la calle 10 de septiembre, an elevated wooden street with houses on stilts on either side. The houses are elevated so that they stay dry during the rainy season, when the river rises.  People on 10 de septiembre do not have running water in their homes, as most people in San Juan did. Instead, they must go to local grifos (faucets) and walk the buckets of water back to their homes. Although there seem to be many problems with water access, when ultimately asked how the water quality is, most people respond "satisfactorio" (good). It is amazing that although they do have suggestions for changes, many people are content or even happy to have running water a few blocks away. I am sure that we will encounter people who are less lucky than that in Belen.

Now is ciesta time for everyone except for myself. I will be going to the internet cafe of Odilo, the first student of my NGO Kuska! He has graciously agreed to fix my computer which contracted several viruses last night.

Hopefully there is a churro or torta de tres leches in store for tonight. TGIF!

Abrazos y besos,
Kimberly

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