Paletas Fresas-Only 50 cents

Why Hello Again!

   Once again I have to apologize for the lack of postings. The last couple days have been kind of loco if you know what I mean, filled with gator-leg lunches and yucca chip munches. But even though there has been much excitement, we have been here for almost a week and we are still anxiously awaiting an opportunity to see a pygmy marmoset. We have comfortably settled into our new house where we are spoiled with internet access, a garden filled with hammocks, and we are only a few steps away from a grocery store. Better yet, we each have our own rooms and we have the company of some international friends. Despite not being able to unlock the front doors, and our fingers red and blistered from trying and failing to turn the key, if you couldn't tell, we are really enjoying our nice place. While we have adjusted relatively well, the locals are constantly startled by our presence. While the responses being a white female in Iquitos might at first boost your confidence, after a couple days the cat call and whistles are starting to get a little old.
    But enough about that. A I previously noted, there is quite a bit to catch up on, and as I promised earlier, I am going to try and fill you in. Since you are hopefully slowly starting to get a clearer picture of what Iquitos and El Porvenir is like, in t - 20 seconds (or however long it takes you to read this next sentence) you will be introduced to the wonderful people at Kallpa Iquitos.


...A little Bit about Kallpa

I know present to you....Kallpa Iquitos 

     Where to begin in the Kallpa description is the real question? So Kallpa is amazing. For those of you who are unaware Kallpa is a health related grassroots organization that has several branches one of which is in Iquitos. Our office in particular has 8 people broken up into two two teams. In Team 1 we have Playful Jesus (Heysoos), Goofy David, Energetic Sandra, and Emilio the Great. Team 1 spends most of their time in an area called San Juan Bautista working on health projects, one in particular on reproductive health. They enjoy long walks on the beach, dancing Merrengue, and playing with perros. No, but really. They are a pretty awesome team and they do some amazing work. In T,eam 2 we have Zuly, Ceci, and Rose Mary (fill in your own adjectives). 

Sarah and Ceci hard at work preparing for a theater workshop

           Over the past couple days, Sarah and I have really gotten to know these three lovely ladies, since they spend most of their time in Pampachica in El Porvenir, where our partner community is located. Together the team talk to people of all ages in El Porvenir, asks them what kinds of issues they want to tackle, and help them execute projects that will really improve life for the people living in the community. The dynamic in  each team and within the whole Kallps Iquitos office is wonderful, communication is transparent, and is evident in the success of the friendly and comfortable atmosphere which they have created and the success of their projects. The way they are able to challenge each other, question each other, and raise doubts as they arise really demonstrates the respect that the members of the Kallpa family have for each other and for the work they do. Their devotion and dedication is clear and you can see the impact that they have had on the community every time the step out of the motocar. The kids, teens, moms and grandmothers of El Porvenir pour of the the thatched roofed houses at the first sound of the screeching breaks and they escort them out at the end of each visit. This snippet about Kallpa does not do the organization justice, but let me just reassure you that we are so lucky to have found such a great organization, from which we have learned so much and look forward to working with every day as we load ourselves up with Permethrin bug spray (it smells awful) and wave down a motocar.

         I know this was brief, but I promise there is more to  come, and soon! But I have to go to bed because I have an early start tomorrow beginning with a five o'clock run with my new friend Francisco the Conquistador of Peru (as he likes to call himself). Catch you on the flipside. Oh yea, and I'll get some pictures up sooner or later.