Tuesday 28 October 2008

La Roca building update


La Roca from the front.
It has been some time since we started work again, but with a second son time seems to disappear like satsumas when Daniel is hungry. Hence the lack of posts this month.
Last Saturday morning I went to La Roca with Daniel (a normal part of our work). Normally we spend time with Richar and Mari encouraging them and chatting through any issues they have. Daniel of course just causes havoc and runs around there at 100 miles an hour!
Daniel moving a stool to go look out of the window, Mauro eating breakfast and Anita.
We are hoping to help Mari start a mums and tots group in La Roca there for the community and there are several things that need to be done before we can do this.
The view of the neigbour's children in their backyard from the 3rd floor of La Roca.
Last Saturday I met Mauro, a builder that goes to La Tablada church, and he, with myself and Richar tried to work what needed doing to make the building safe and secure. At the moment we have no money to do this, so we are waiting for this to come before work can be started.
Richar and Mauro standing by the back of the building.
There are 3 different pieces of work which need to be done over time, although number 1 is the main focus to start off with:
1. Securing the first floor, and making it baby friendly. This includes buying rugs/carpet, buying toys, putting doors on where they are none, making cupboards, and shelves, and also building a secure wall at the back, and putting in doors.
2. Making the third floor child friendly, which includes putting a roof on to give shade in the summer. It also means putting up walls to stop children jumping off(!) and perhaps building a small garden area, to teach about growing plants.
3. Building a stairway in between these 2 areas, so this bypasses the 2nd floor which is Richar and Mari's house. They have sacrificed their house for so many years for the work there that this appears to be a great way to seperate the church property (where the mums and tots group will go) and Richar and Mari's house.

The state of the 3rd floor ater rain.
The current state of the 3rd floor.
This is happening alongside the work of trying to get running water in the building, and formalising the community.
If you'd like to be involved in this work in anyway, please let us know.


The passage where the stairs will go at the back of the building.

A view of some of the southern shanty towns of Lima from La Roca
In other news: Anna's parents are due to arrive for 2 weeks on the 7th November, with Mark and Julian planning a trip to Pulcallpa in the jungle for 4 days, alongside visiting our other work here in Lima.

Monday 6 October 2008

Welcome baby Joel!

Well today baby Joel Simeon arrived!

Had quick labour at home - managed fine until waters broken then baby came straight away! Very quickly!


It was great to have baby at home - very relaxed and great to have family and all comforts nearby. I may have even been spotted facebooking at 8cm dilated


Baby doing really well! He looks a lot like Daniel, but of course larger as Daniel was born at 32 weeks / 7 months. 52cm long and approx 3.5kg (around 7 1/2lb)

Labour at home
Just born
Mummy and baby
Daniel meeting his baby brother - he is very happy with the 'baby'!
Daniel kissing baby Joel
Proud Daddy

Saturday 4 October 2008

Ventanilla with Daniel

Last Monday I went to Ventanilla to do my monthly visit at the school, but as Anna had to go to the doctors I took Daniel. I took Cassie and Ben Schifano with me, who we know as they went to Anna's old church in Woking, as they were staying with us at either end of their holiday around our beautiful adopted country.
We arrived there during their break time, and Cassie and Ben played with the kids, who loved it, even though the main language was sign language as Cassie and Ben didn't speak Spanish, and the kids English.

Cops and Robbers, Peruvian style

It was a really lovely time as it always is. The main problem being without a car it takes at least 2 hours to get there, and 2 hours back, and so my time is always short in Ventanilla.

Cassie and Daniel playing catch with some of the girls.

Please continue to hold the school in Ventanilla in your thoughts and prayers, as there is never enough money to finish building the school, or to pay the teachers each month.


Jovannah (one of the teachers with Daniel



It is such a priviledge to be involved in such a work that supports good education in a country where you have to pay a lot for good education.