Nothing is as it seems...

After teaching class today, I stopped by the primary school to check out the local NGO’s health campaign. The Doctora in Tumpa had given me the heads up, saying that she and the NGO workers would be administering fluoride and providing physical exams to the kids. When I walked in the room, posts were set up around the perimeter: the weight/height station, the fluoride station, the pharmacy station (we'll get to that later), the Doctora’s station, and the letters/pictures station. I greeted everyone in the room and went to sit with the doctora, who was alone, looking extremely bored.

“This is taking so long… there are still so many kids left,” she said.
“Oh well right, but, this is a really great thing that you all are doing for the kids – the free health care, and all” I commented.
“Ehhh… not exactly,” she said.

The Doctora proceeded to explain that this health campaign was less than perfect. The physical exams are given during school hours, but in order to administer any medicine or treatment, parents must be present… and there were no parents around when I was there. Also, there was barely any medicine. Despite being examined, the children were not receiving the full health care they needed. Suddenly it seems like they were putting on a big show…and my eyes drifted to the…letters & pictures station. The kids were drawing pictures and writing cards to their overseas sponsors, whose donations probably made their physical examinations possible that day. For those of you back in the US who have donated to an organization to benefit kids, and have at one time wondered where your money is going, well, here’s a snapshot.

School's in Session!

It's a beautiful, chilly, overcast Ancash morning. I'm in Huaraz for our monthly meeting. On the agenda this month: composting, which will come in handy once my students learn to separate organic and inorganic waste. Also up is an ALMA meeting - Shannon and I are going to take advantage of our captive PCV audience this weekend to talk about the girls leadership camp that will take place in May. These days, I have barely enough hours in a day, which is a Peace Corps (or maybe an Ancash) anomaly. March is zooming by.
School started up again on March 1st, and I've began installing the materials in the classrooms for the Healthy Schools project. I'm busy with hygiene workshops, tooth brushing campaigns (I can't be totally sure, but browning baby teeth are evidence that some of these kiddies are brushing for the first time ever!!), and self-esteem classes. On Monday, we're going to elect 10 health promoters, whom I will train on hygiene, nutrition and environmental awareness issues. The health promoters will be leading organic gardens projects, healthy food activities and community clean-ups with the other students at Santa Fe to strengthen our Healthy Schools project. School's back in session, the kids are back in Tumpa, I've got my work cut out for me, and I couldn't be happier with site!

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Currently reading: What is the What
In-site delightful surprises: Internet in the adobe kitchen window!
Months until COS: 4.5
post-PC plans: Sophie Sees South America Adventure Sept-Dec 2010... who's in?!