Started the day with a trip to the neighborhood market...kinda like New Seasons...local...but not...
The women at the produce stand asked the English name of all the vegetables we bought...I in turn asked the Spanish name..was some what relieved that no meat, fish , or chicken was to be purchased, the photo will illuminate my concern...
Brigid and I went to the center where on Wednesday and Saturday there is an early stimulation program for 1-3 year olds and parent(s). Each child an mom creates a book, the kids have photos of their family, then colors, shapes words...mom's keep a journal of activities, parenting successes and challenges. The teacher models parenting techniques, plays games which encourage affection and self-esteem building. Very impressive...
Six years ago Brigid and I visited a family up the hillside not far from the center...the baby... Jesus a year old could not hold his head up nor did he fix his gaze at objects. He was the youngest an had an 11year old sister Carol. We set off to visit this family again...Brigid had not seen them for a year...
Victory (the mom) and dad were off working..but we headed up the steep flight of stairs...new... last visit we scrambled up the hillside. We were bet by a little girl who assured us we had picked the correct house. Now two boys greeted us as we called out... Giuseppe and Jesus..soon followed by Carol and Salvador. Jesus has some learning disabilities but is now walking, talking some and engaged in activities...goes to school. Carol just found out she passed her exams and was awarded a scholarship to university...hope abounds!!!
In the evening we took a LONG trek by bus across Lima to a water fountain park. For 4 Sols ($1.20) we gained entrance to a city park with 13 different water fountains. At 7:15 a water/light/music show began...in the midst of a city where poverty, filth, and despair is in abundance ...this was a hopeful encouraging sign. In the park there was also a tunel with facts about water in Peru and on our planet...or the lack of...and the effects of global warming and over consumption..
We were met by four young folks who are associates to the SNJM's. bright engaging young people who also spoke some English giving me a break from Spanglish.
We went to dinner at 10:30 PM...OMG very late for Sandy...very Peruvian ...another full day.
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