Making Children Happy

Inside parish celebrating
Christmas with poor children

ON CHRISTMAS TIME we remember The Birthday of God's Son on earth: JESUS CHRIST. So, it is a time for celebration and children especially get excited and hope to have a good time of joy and happiness. Each Christmas season is a time full of illusion for them all and no matter if they are poor or rich they hope receiving, one way or another, some presents such as clothes, toys, etc. Some of them have the great opportinity for their dreams to come true since their parents count on enough resources for it, not so for many of children especially those living in poor neighborhoods here in Chimbote where the money their parents count on, is exclusively used to get the food for the day.

But thanks God there are still goodwill people and institutions that were very interested in bringing a joy and happiness time to the poor children living in neighborhoods surrounding "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" parish located in La Victoria, Chimbote, Perú where Fr. Jack Davis (USA) and Sr. Peggy Byrne (Ireland) minister to the poor. To make all this possible, the SKA supermarket of Chimbote through its manager, in coordination with the executive director of CHOI Mr. Orlando Bermúdez organized a chocolate party to the children of these neighborhoods which was held at Fr. Jack's parish. SKA Supermarket donated Christmas breads, chocolate party, a lot of presents, balloons, party, etc.

For the development of this event I must highlight the support of the following people: American and Peruvian volunteers, Scholars from Dollars For Scholars program of CHOI and parish workers. The event started 10:00am and was led by two funny clowns that made children laugh a lot. There was a time to dance, play, reward winners, draw, share balloons, shout, etc. and at the end of the party children made a line and went orderly into a big room of the parish where each of them received a present, glass of chocolate and Christmas bread. My heartfelt thanks to all those that made poor children of Chimbote happy on this Christmas 2010!!

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

HACIENDO FELICES A LOS NIÑOS

Children playing games

EN LA ÉPOCA DE NAVIDAD recordamos el Nacimiento del Hijo de Dios en la tierra: JESUCRISTO. Asi que, es un tiempo de celebración y especialmente los niños se emocionan y esperan tener un buen tiempo de alegría y felicidad. Cada temporada de Navidad es un tiempo lleno de ilusión para todos ellos y no importando si son pobres o ricos esperan recibir, de una u otra manera, algunos regalos tales como ropa, juguetes, etc. Algunos de ellos tienen la oportunidad que sus sueños se realicen ya que sus padres cuentan con suficientes recursos para ello, no así para muchos niños especialmente para aquellos que viven en los barrios pobres de Chimbote donde el dinero con el que cuentan sus padres se usa exclusivamente para conseguir la comida del día.

Pero gracias a Dios todavía hay gente e instituciones de buena voluntad que estuvieron muy interesados en traer un tiempo de alegría y felicidad a los niños pobres que viven en los barrios humildes alrededor de la parroquia "Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro" ubicada en La Victoria, Chimbote, Perú donde el padre Juan Davis (USA) y la hermana Peggy Byrne (Irlanda) ministran a los pobres. Para hacer todo esto posible, el Supermercado SKA de Chimbote en la persona de su administradora, en coordinación con el director ejecutivo de CHOI Sr. Orlando Bermúdez, organizaron una chocolatada para los niños de estos barrios la cual se llevó a cabo en la parroquia del padre Juan. El Supermercado SKA donó los panetones, chocolatada, muchos regalos, globos, la fiesta, etc.

Para el desarrollo de éste evento debo resaltar el apoyo de las siguientes personas: Voluntarios americanos y peruanos, becarios del programa Dólares para Becarios de CHOI and trabajadores de la parroquia. El evento empezó a las 10:00am y fue dirigido por dos divertidos payacitos que divirtieron bastante a los niños. Hubo tiempo para bailar, jugar, premiar a los ganadores, dibujar, compartir globos, aclamar, etc. y al final de la fiesta los niños formaron una cola y entraron ordenadamente a un salon grande de la parroquia donde cada uno de ellos recibió su regalo, vaso de chocolate y panetón. ¡¡Mi más sincero agradecimiento a todos aquellos que hicieron felices a los niños pobres de Chimbote en ésta navidad 2010!!

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Scholars Meeting November 2010

Scholars members of a working
team sharing on their project

SCHOLARS COMMITTED to community projects. Students who are presently beneficiaries of the Dollars For Scholars and Leaders For Tomorrow program of CHOI, held their November 2010 meeting. This one was informative and also for training. In one of the past meetings all scholars were divided into 15 working groups in order to each group design and run coomunity projects for the benefit of neighborhood they live in. Some project involves: Volunteering at the Apostol Santiago local hospice, bio gardening, tree and vegetables planting, public cleanness, medical campaign, training at schools, etc.

They all had the opportunity to share about the development of their projects and how the involvement in this kind of altruistic work is helping them to grow up and mature as persons a members of a local community, cultivating in them some empathy degree for those disadvantaged and making them aware that they must also play an important role to deal with the great challenges existing in their communities.

After that time, the guest for this meeting Mr. Carlos Alegre, a pre-university teacher, was sharing with students about study basic techniques. As a teacher, he has academically prepared many students to get into university which are now professionals. By telling them these stories of his former students he has tried to encourage and motivate scholars focusing on that we all have potencial to get what we want and that it is just a matter of decision.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

REUNIÓN DE BECARIOS NOVIEMBRE 2010

Another working team sharing
on its community project

BECARIOS COMPROMETIDOS con proyectos comunitarios. Los estudiantes que actualmente son beneficiarios del programa de CHOI Dólares para Becarios y Líderes del Mañana, llevaron a cabo su reunion del mes de noviembre 2010. Esta reunión fue de naturaleza informativa y también de capacitación. En una de las reuniones pasadas todos los becarios se divieron en 15 grupos de trabajo con el objetivo de que cada grupo diseñe y ejecute proyectos comunitarios para el beneficio del barrio donde ellos viven. Algunos proyectos involucran: Voluntariado en el Hospicio de la localidad "Apóstol Santiago", bio huerto, siembra de árboles y verduras, limpieza pública, campaña médica, capacitación en los colegios, etc.

Todos tuvieron la oportunidad de compartir sobre el desarrollo de sus proyectos y de cómo el involucramiento en este tipo de trabajo altruista está ayudándoles a crecer y a madurar como personas y miembros de una comunidad local, cultivando en ellos algún grado de empatía para con los menos favorecidos y haciéndoles concientes que ellos también deben desempeñar un papel importante para hacer frente a los grandes desafíos que existen en sus comunidades.

Después de ese tiempo, el invitado de esta reunión Sr. Carlos Alegre, profesor pre-univeritario, estuvo compartiendo con los estudiantes acerca de las técnicas básicas de estudio. Como docente, él ha preparado academicamente a muchos estudiantes para ingresar a la universidad los cuales ahora son profesionales. Al compartir estas historias de sus ex alumos él ha intentado animar y motivar a los becarios enfocándose en que todos tenemos el potencial para lograr lo que queremos y que sólo es cuestión de decisión.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Fellowship Dinner With CHOI Staff

Me, about to sing through karaoke

WITH THE PURPOSE of strengthening bonds of friendship and fellowship among coordinators of the programs of CHOI Civil Association, a fellowship dinner was organized which was held at Arriba Perú restaurant, here in Chimbote Perú. The US administrator for "Dollars For Scholars and Leaders For Tomorrow" program and active server of the LOS AMIGOS non-profit, Mr. Earl Milbrath, was also present together with the CHOI executive director Mr. Orlando Bermúdez.

I, Pablo Beltrán, was also invited to participate at dinner. After enjoying delicious Peruvian food, there was a special time in which each attendee, one by one, shared with the others about his/her personal life, experiences working at CHOI and expectations. Mr. Earl Milbrath also shared honestly and sincerely with us all, about his personal and family life in the USA and how blessed he feels working for the poorest of Chimbote Perú.

This way, all of us got to know each other a little more. Almost at the end of dinner most of attendees did our best in order to sing through a karaoke machine; even Mr. Earl Milbrath sang a song but in English of course. We all indeed enjoyed dinner.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

CENA DE CONFRATERNIDAD CON EL STAFF DE CHOI

Attendees to dinner

CON EL PROPÓSITO de reforzar los lazos de amistad y compañerismo entre los coordinadores de los programas de la Asociación Civil CHOI, se organizó una cena de confraternidad que se realizó en el restaurant Arriba Perú, aquí en Chimbote Perú. El administrador en los Estados Unidos del programa "Dólares para Becarios y Líderes del Mañana" y activo servidor de la organización sin fines de lucro LOS AMIGOS, sr. Earl Milbrath, también estuvo presente juntamente con el director ejecutivo de CHOI Sr. Orlando Bermúdez.

Yo, Pablo Beltrán, también fui invitado a participar en la cena. Después de disfrutar de la deliciosa comida peruana, hubo un tiempo especial en el cual cada asistente, uno por uno, compartió con los demás acerca de su vida personal, experiencias trabajando en CHOI y sus expectativas. El Sr. Earl Milbrath también compartió con todos nosotros, honesta y sinceramente, acerca de su vida personal y familiar en los Estados Unidos y cuan bendecido se siente trabajando por los pobres de Chimbote Perú.

De esta manera, todos nosotros llegamos a conocernos un poco más. Casi al final de la cena la mayor parte de los asistentes hicimos nuestro mejor esfuerzo para cantar a través de un karaoke; incluso el Sr. Earl Milbrath cantó una canción pero en inglés por supuesto. Ciertamente todos disfrutamos de la cena.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Scholars Meeting October 2010

Scholars exposing on their
community project

THE LAST WEEK of October 2010, the monthly meeting of the scholarship holders of the Dollars For Scholarships and Leaders For Tomorrow educational program was held in Youth House, the community home of Antenor Orrego neighborhood in Chimbote Perú. As you know, this is one of the programs of CHOI supporting in several ways to those young people, coming from humble communities surrounding Fr. Jack's parish in this city, yearning to study a professional career and whose parents do not have enough resorces for this purpose. The present executive director of CHOI is Mr. Orlando Bermúdez.

The special guest in this meeting was Mr. Earl Milbrath, who presently serves LOS AMIGOS non-profit organization as Secretary of the Board of Directors and as the chairman of the Economic Opportunity Council. He is also the U.S. administrator for the Dollars For Scholarships and Leaders For Tomorrow program. He was warmly welcomed by Mr. Orlando Bermúdez, Mr. Rafael Armas and Mr. Carlos Alayo (director and coordinator of the program respectively) and all scholars. Mr. Milbrath travels very often to Chimbote in order to inquire personally about the program running and to see the possibily to enlarge the number of scholarships offered to young people, and not only this but he even accomplishes more activities while here in Chimbote.

Mr. Milbrath expressed his warm greetings to the students and encouraged them to stay on the path of study taking advantage of this great opportunity they have to achieve a career that many other young people in Chimbote do not have. Meanwhile, scholars groups exposed on their coomunity projects they are involved in. Students who obtained best grades in their respective studies centers were congratulated in this meeting. Also, two former scholars (graduated) shared their experiences as students and now as professionals, thanks to the program.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

REUNIÓN DE BECARIOS OCTUBRE 2010

Mr. Earl Milbrath congratulating
the best students

LA ÚITIMA SEMANA de octubre del 2010, se llevó a cabo la reunión mensual de los becarios del programa educativo Dólares para Becarios y Líderes del Mañama, en la Casa de la Juventud, el recinto comunitario del barrio Antenor Orrego de Chimbote. Como ustedes saben, este es uno de los programas de CHOI que bringa apoyo, de varias maneras, a aquellos jóvenes, provenientes de comunidades humildes localizadas en los alrededores de la parroquia del padre Juan en esta ciudad, que anhelan estudiar una carrera profesional y cuyos padres no tienen suficientes recursos para este propósito. El actual director ejecutivo de CHOI es el Sr. Orlando Bermúdez.

El invitado especial en esta reunión fue el Sr. Earl Milbrath, quien actualmente está al servicio de la organización sin fines de lucro LOS AMIGOS ejerciendo funciones de Secretario de la Junta Directiva y Presidente del Concejo de Oportunidades Económicas. También es el administrador en USA del programa Dólares para Escolares y Líderes del Mañana. Fue recibido calurosamente por el Sr. Orlando Bermúdez, Sr. Rafael Armas y Sr. Carlos Alayo (director y coordinador del programa respectivamente) y por todos los becarios. El Sr. Milbrath viaja con frecuencia a Chimbote para enterarse personalmente acerca de la ejecución del programa y ver la posibilidad de ampliar el número de becas que se ofrecen a los jóvenes, y no sólo esto sino que incluso realiza más actividades estando aquí en Chimbote

El Sr. Milbrath expresó sus cálidos saludos a los estudiantes y los animó a permanecer en la senda del estudio aprovechando esta gran oportunidad que ellos tienen para lograr una carrera profesional que muchos otros jóvenes de Chimbote no la tienen. Mientras tanto, los grupos de becarios expusieron sobre sus projectos comunitarios que vienen ejecutando. Los estudiantes que obtuvieron las mejores notas en sus respectivos centros de estudios fueron felicitados en esta reunión. Además, dos ex-becarios (graduados) compartieron sus experiencias como estudiantes y ahora como profesionales, gracias al programa.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Purified Water For A Needy Community

Water Purifier installed
in 25 de Mayo community

ITS NAME IS 25 DE MAYO SETTLEMENT, a new community comprised by very poor people and located in the outskirts of Chimbote. Since the very beginning of its birth as a community, its leaders and residents have been doing great efforts for having access to privision of basic services. One of them is the water supply for the entire community. Some months ago, as I shared with you previously, the Marietta Rotary Club (Georgia USA) made possible a well be built in this community, inside the soup kitchen. So, thanks to the funds provided by this American Rotarian Club, presently residents of 25 de Mayo settlement have access to water from the well. However there was another very important issue to take into account and this was: The quality of water.

On this context, a mission team from the Marietta First United Methodist Church (MFUMC) of Georgia USA, involved also in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) in Chimbote Perú and that very often comes down to this city, visited 25 de Mayo settlement in July this year and could see the well built there. Team members took some water samples to the laboratory. Unfortunately results said that water from the well was not safe to drink. Right after the MFUMC mission team returned to their country started seeking donors and performing fundraising campaigns in order to provide as soon as possible a water purifier machine to this settlement of Chimbote. Watch Josh Lee's promo video.

This way, MFUMC could get a water purifier machine that includes the device itself, a pump, battery, sun charger, accessories, manuals, etc. and started planning a trip to Chimbote Perú in order to install the purifier in 25 de Mayo neighborhood. So, after making some arrangements with me related to the purifier installation, MFUMC sent a team to Chimbote Perú comprised by Kelly Lee, Faith Robel and Josh Lee who arrived this city on Saturday November 20 afternoon. Jorge Sánchez and me (Pablo Beltrán) met them at bus station. The American team together with us started activities right after they got to Chimbote. This was the schedule:

Saturday, November 20 afternoon: After meeting up the MFUMC team, we all headed to the well located in the soup kitchen of 25 de Mayo settlement where we had a planning meeting with the plumber and the electrician hired by MFUMC. CHOI execute director Mr. Orlando Bermúdez was also present and was supporting this mission.

Sunday, November 21: This day was dedicated to install the water purifier. The process started in the morning. The plumber and the electrician took care of installing the purifier according to the design provided by the MFUMC team through Kelly, Faith and Josh. After lunch the work continued and we all were assisting and by the end of the day the water purifier was successfully installed.

Monday, November 22: After the purifier installation was necessary to train people who will be in charge of the water purifier. This day, the ladies members of the board of directors of the soup kitchen led by Mrs. Delia were trained on the right use of the purifier. As the training was taking place the purifier was running. The MFUMC team also did a great job training them. After the training was over everything was ready to drink purified water, directly from the tank. So all of us drank pure water at no risk even the MFUMC team did. This way the team accomplished its mission succesfully leaving the water purifier running correctly.

On Monday, after mission was finished, we went to visit another settlement called Monte Chimbote (where its residents drink undrinkable water) to see the possibility to install a water purifier and also in other communities where a purifier be needed. On Tuesday November 23 in the morning the MFUMC team left Chimbote to returned to their country. Thank you very much!!! Marietta First United Methodist Church, on behalf of the poor of Chimbote, for assisting community development.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

AGUA PURIFICADA PARA UNA COMUNIDAD EN NECESIDAD

Purificador de agua instalado
en el A.H. 25 de Mayo, Chimbote

SU NOMBRE ES ASENTAMIENTO HUMANO 25 DE MAYO, una nueva comunidad formada por gente muy necesitada y ubicada en las afueras de Chimbote. Desde su nacimiento como una comunidad, sus líderes y pobladores han estado haciendo grandes esfuerzos para tener acceso a los servicios básicos. Uno de ellos es el suministro de agua para toda la comunidad. Hace algunos meses, el Rotary Club de Marietta (Georgia USA) hizo posible la construcción de un pozo en esta comunidad, dentro del comedor. Así, gracias a los fondos provistos por este club rotario americano, actualmente los pobladores de 25 de Mayo cuentan con suministro de agua del pozo. Sin embargo hubo otro asunto importante para tomar en cuenta y este fue: La calidad del agua.

En este contexto, un equipo de misiones de la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida de Marietta (MFUMC) de Georgia USA, involucrada también en el Desarrollo Comunitario Basado en Capacidades (ABCD) en Chimbote Perú y que con frecuencia vienen a esta ciudad, visitó el asentamiento humano 25 de mayo en julio de este año y pudieron ver el pozo construído allí. Miembros del equipo llevaron muestras del agua al laboratorio. Desafortunadamente los resultados dijeron que el agua del pozo no era apta para el consumo humano. Inmediatamente después que el equipo misionero de MFUMC regresó a su país empezaron a buscar benefactores y a realizar campañas de levantamiento de fondos con el propósito de proveer lo más pronto posible una máquina purificadora de agua a este asentamiento humano de Chimbote. Vea el video promocional de Josh Lee.

De esta manera, MFUMC pudo obtener una máquina purificadora de agua que incluye el dispositivo, una bomba, batería, cargador solar, accesorios, manuales, etc y empezaron a planificar un viaje a Chimbote Perú para instalar el purificador en el barrio 25 de Mayo. Así que, después de hacer los preparativos conmigo relacionados a la instalación del purificador, MFUMC envió un equipo a Chimbote Perú formado por Kelly Lee, Faith Robel y Josh Lee quienes llegaron a esta ciudad el sábado 20 de noviembre en la tarde. Jorge Sánches y yo (Pablo Beltrán) los recibimos en el terminal de bus. El equipo americano junto con nosotros empezamos las actividades de la mision inmediatamente después que ellos arrivaron a Chimbote. Este fue el programa:

Sábado, 20 de noviembre por la tarde: Después de recibir al equipo de MFUMC, todos nos dirigimos al pozo ubicado en el comedor en el asentamiento humano 25 de Mayo donde tuvimos una reunión de planeamiento con el plomero y el electricista contratados por MFUMC. El director ejecutivo de CHOI Sr. Orlando Bermúdez también estuvo presente además estuvo apoyando esta misión.

Domingo, 21 de noviembre: Este día se dedicó a instalar el purificador de agua. El proceso empezó en la mañana. El plomero y el electricista tuvieron cuidado de instalar el purificador de acuerdo al diseño provisto por el equipo de MFUMC a través de Kelly, Faith y Josh. Después del almuerzo el trabajo continuó y todos estuvimos apoyando y por el final del día el purificador de agua fue instalado satisfactoriamente.

Lunes, 22 de noviembre: Después de la instalación del purificador fue necesario capacitar a las personas que estarán a cargo del purificador. Este día, las señoras que son parte de la junta directiva del comedor, dirigida por la Sra. Delia, fueron capacitadas en el correcto uso del purificador. A medida que la capacitación se realizaba el purificador estaba funcionando. El equipo de MFUMC también hizo un gran trabajo capacitándolas. Después que la capacitación terminó todo estuvo listo para beber el agua purificada, directamente desde el tanque. Así, todos nosotros bebimos el agua pura sin ningún riesgo incluso el equipo de MFUMC lo hizo. De esta forma el equipo cumplió su misión exitosamente dejando el purificador de agua funcionando correctamente.

El lunes, después que la misión terminó, fuimos a visitar otro asentamiento humano llamado Monte Chimbote (donde sus pobladores beben agua no purificada) para ver la posibilidad de instalar un purificador de agua y también en otras comunidades donde se necesite un purificador. El martes 23 de noviembre en la mañana el equipo de MFUMC dejó Chimbote para regresar a su país. ¡¡¡Muchas gracias!!! Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida de Marietta, en nombre de los pobres de Chimbote, por apoyar el desarrollo comunitario.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Giving Selflessly

Mr. Jaime in his new bedroom

CONTINUING WITH THE STORY of the Morán Ballesteros family, you have previously learnt that this is a very humble family living in extreme conditions of poverty. Until a few weeks ago they lived in a house made of estera and reeds, unsafe and dangerous materials. I have also progressively shared about the opportune initiative of the housing project of the non-profit organization CHOI that, through its Affordable and Safe Housing Demo could replace the old house of this family by a new one made of affordable and safe materials. Presently the are already living in their new house. If you have seen the post of their old house you realized that they did not have appropriate beds to sleep nor a decent kitchen.

The good news is that the ladies who came to Chimbote some days ago from the USA with the LOS AMIGOS board, blessed the Morán Ballesteros by granting them 6 beds (with their respective bedcovers), a kitchen sink and two storage cabinets. Also, an Irish is contributing money to pay for Jaime Morán Ballesteros to attend vocational training to become a welder and Americans are congtributing money to help the other kids go back to school. This is a good example to follow.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

DANDO DESINTERESADAMENTE

A storage cabinet

CONTINUANDO CON LA HISTORIA de la familia Morán Ballesteros, ustedes han llegado a saber que ésta es una familia muy humilde que vive en condicines extremas de necesidad. Hasta hace unas semanas ellos vivían en una casa hecha de estera y cañas, materiales peligrosos y no seguros. También he compartido progresivamente acerca de la oportuna iniciativa del proyecto de vivienda de la ONG CHOI que, através de su Demo de Vivienda Económica y Segura, pudo reemplazar la casa antigua de ésta familia por una nueva hecha de materiales económicos y seguros. Actualmente ellos ya están viviendo en su nueva casa. Si ustedes han visto el post de su antigua casa entonces se han dado cuenta que no tenían camas apropiadas para dormir ni una cocina decente.

La buena noticia es que las damas que vinieron a Chimbote hace algunos días desde los Estados Unidos con la Junta Directiva de LOS AMIGOS, bendijeron a la familia Morán Ballesteros donándoles 6 camas camarotes (con sus respectivas cubrecamas), un fregadero y 2 reposteros. También un benefactor irlandés aportará dinero para pagar la capacitación de Jaime Morán Ballesteros en soldadura y benefactores americanos aportarán dinero también para ayudar a que los otros adolescentes de la familia regresen al colegio. Éste es un buen ejemplo a imitar.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Finished Affordable Housing Project

The finished house

IT HAS BEEN some days since I have started sharing with you about the Affordable and Safe Housing Demo, which is part of the CHOI Housing Project. By my anterior post you have heard, through a video, more information about this project. Now I will share with you some pictures of the finished home of the Morán Ballesteros family who now have a new home made of safe and affordable materials, which is the first one all over Perú, built with of that kind of materials. The whole family is very thankful to the non-profit American organization LOS AMIGOS by its support and, in a special way, extends their heartfelt thanks to the non-profit Peruvian organization CHOI (Chimbote Opportunities Ilimited) for making possible for them to have a worthy house to live in. It is now expected stepping forward with this project making it accessible to the poor of Chimbote.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

PROYECTO VIVIENDA ECONÓMICA TERMINADO

Jaime in his bedroom

HAN PASADO algunos días desde que he empezado a compartir con ustedes acerca del Demo de Vivienda Económica y Segura, la cual es parte del Projecto de Vivienda de CHOI. Por mi anterior post han escuchado, a través de un video, más información acerca de éste proyecto. Ahora compartiré con ustedes algunas fotografías de la casa terminada de la familia Morán Ballesteros quienes ahora tienen una nueva casa hecha de materiales seguros y económicos la cual es la primera, en todo el Perú, construída con ese tipo de materiales. Toda la familia está muy agradecida a la organización americana sin fines de lucro LOS AMIGOS por su apoyo y, de manera muy especial, extiende su más sincero agradecimiento a la organización peruana sin fines de lucro CHOI (Chimbote Oportunidades Ilimitadas) por hacer posible que ellos tengan una casa digna donde vivir. Ahora se espera seguir adelante con este proyecto haciéndolo accesible a los pobres de Chimbote.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Interview On Housing Demo

BY MY ANTERIOR POST you have learnt about the LOS AMIGOS Board visit to Chimbote. Here in town they were also working on the Affordable and Safe Housing Demo, promoted by CHOI, for the Morán Ballesteros family which is replacing their old house made of unsafe and dangerous materials (estera and reeds) by a new house made of affordable and safe materials (floor concrete blocks and wall papercrete panel). In this new post I will share with you about a interview that the present LOS AMIGOS Executive Director Ms. Susan Thrnka made to the present CHOI Consultant Mr. Jorge Villar who explained all about this Housing Project that is headed to the poor families of Chimbote.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

ENTREVISTA SOBRE EL DEMO DE VIVIENDA

POR MI ANTERIOR POST ustedes han sido informados acerca de la visita de la Junta Directiva de LOS AMIGOS a Chimbote. Aquí en la ciudad ellos también estuvieron trabajando en el Demo de Vivienda Económica y Segura, promovido por CHOI, para la familia Morán Ballesteros el cual está reemplazando su antigua casa hecha de materiales no seguros y peligrosos (estera y cañas) por una nueva casa hecha de materiales económicos y seguros (bloques de concreto para piso y paneles de papercrete para pared). En este nuevo post compartiré con ustedes acerca de una entrevista que la actual directora ejecutiva de LOS AMIGOS Sra. Susan Thrnka hizo al actual consultor de CHOI Sr. Jorge Villar quien explicó sobre todo lo relacionado al proyecto de vivienda que está dirigido a las familias pobres de Chimbote.

Affordable Housing Project - 11: Los Amigos Board Visit

Painting the side wall

IT IS INSPIRING and encouraging seeing how foreign people take part of their time to come down, very willing and from a far away country, to assist the poor people of Chimbote. Some days ago the Los Amigos Board of Director members, a Non-Profit Faith-Based American Organization working for the poorest of Chimbote - Perú since many years ago, were visiting this town in order to carry out their scheduled activities as Board members. On this trip, they were not only performing activities inherent to their official responsabilities but also took time to work by helping in building of the Morán Ballesteros family's house, which was chosen to be the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plan - an initiative of CHOI's nascent housing project. Well, as you have learnt from my anterior post, there was still work to do in the pilot plan.

So this enthusiastic American team, from early in the morning, began working on several activities by: Painting the side walls of the house; caulking concrete blocks of the floor; painting the walls of the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom; helping to build the second and the third bedroom, etc. The Los Amigos Board was composed by: Vice President Mr. Mike Christenson (the Presidente Mr. Ron Stensgard visited Chimbote some weeks ago), Treasureer Mr. Scott Sanders, Secretary and Economic Opportunities Council Chairman Mr. Earl Milbrath, present Executive Director Ms.Susan Thrnka, among others.

That day there was a nourished mixture of people working on the demo home. CHOI's Executive Director Mr. Orlando Bermúdez was also there together with CHOI's External Consultant Mr. Jorge Villar. This way Peruvian workers, guided by the Engr. Pablo Muguerza, were greatly supported in the execution of the demo and so, the Affordable and Safe Housing demo is nearly finished.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

PROYECTO VIVIENDA ECONÓMICA - 11: VISITA DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA DE "LOS AMIGOS"

Working in the bedroom

ES INSPIRADOR y anima el ver como gente extranjera toma parte de su tiempo para venir, muy dispuestos y desde un lejano país, para ayudar a los pobres de Chimbote. Hace algunos días los miembros de la junta directiva de LOS AMIGOS, una organización norteamericana sin fines de lucro y basada en la fe que trabaja por los más pobres de Chimbote - Perú desde hace muchos años, estuvieron visitando ésta ciudad con el objetivo de desarrollar sus actividades programadas como miembros de la directiva. En este viaje, ellos no solo estuvieron cumpliendo actividades inherentes a sus responsabilidades oficiales sino que también se dieron tiempo para trabajar ayudando en la construcción de la casa de la familia Morán Ballesteros, la cual fue elegida para ser el Piloto de Vivienda Económica y Segura - una iniciativa del naciente proyecto de vivienda de CHOI. Bien, como ustedes saben de mi anterior post, todavía había trabajo que hacer en el piloto.

Así, este equipo americano entusiasta, empezó a trabajar desde temprano en varias actividades: Pintando el muro perimétrico de la casa; masillando los bloques de concreto del piso de la casa; pintando las paredes de la sala, comedor, cocina y dormitorio; ayudando a construir el segundo y tercer dormitorio, etc. La Directiva de LOS AMIGOS estuvo compuesta por: El Vice Presidente Sr. Mike Christenson (el presidente Sr. Ron Stensgard visitó Chimbote hace algunas semanas), Tesorero Sr. Scott Sanders, Secretario y Director del Concejo de Oportunidades Económicas Sr. Earl Milbrath, actual Directora Ejecutiva Sra. Susan Thrnka, entre otros.

Ese día hubo una nutrida mezcla de personas trabajando en la casa piloto. El Director Ejecutivo de CHOI Sr. Orlando Bermúdez también estuvo allí junto con el Consultor Externo de CHOI Sr. Jorge Villar. De esta manera los trabajadores peruanos, guiados por el Ing. Pablo Muguerza, fueron grandemente apoyados en la ejecución del demo y así, el Piloto de Vivienda Económica y Seguea está casi terminada.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 10

Two new bedrooms

THE EXECUTION of the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plan of CHOI, is being carried out as previously planned by the team in charge of this demo. All performed activities, involving pilot plan, are being executed successfully so far. Day after day the members of the Morán Ballesteros family can see how their house, formerly made of unsafe and dangerous materials such as estera and reed, is turning into a new and beautiful one but this time made of safe, affordable, non-dangerous materials. By my anterior post you have learnt workers have finishing building the roof of some rooms of the house and started building the walls of the second bedroom.

By this new post I want to share about new activities performed in another working day of this demo. Well, workers started to build the third bedroom of the house and also to make some finishing touches to the activities previously made. The executive director of CHOI, Mr. Orlando Bermúdez, very often visits the house under construction to stay update about the progress of this pilot plan. On the other side the Eng. Pablo Muguerza, incharge of the technical part of this demos, oversees every detail of the work.

--------------- Traducción al Español ---------------

PROYECTO VIVIENDA ECONÓMICA - 10

Making the third bedroom

LA EJECUCIÓN del plan piloto de Provisión de Vivienda Económica y Segura de CHOI, continúa realizándose como estuvo previamente planeada por el equipo de éste demo. Todas las actividades realizadas, que forman parte del plan piloto, se vienen ejecutando de manera exitosa hasta ahora. Día tras día, los miembros de la familia Morán Ballesteros pueden ver como su casa, anteriormente hecho de materiales no seguros y peligrosos tales como estera y caña, se está convirtiendo en una casa nueva y hermosa pero esta vez hecha de materiales seguros, económicos y no peligrosos. A través de mi anterior post ustedes se informaron que los trabajadores terminaron de hacer el techo de algunas piezas de la casa y empezaron a hacer las paredes del segundo dormitorio.

En este nuevo post quiero compartir acerca de las nuevas actividades realizadas en otro día de trabajo de éste demo. Bien, los trabajadores empezaron a construír el tercer dormitorio de la casa y también a hacer algunos toques finales a las actividades previamente hechas. El director ejecutivo de CHOI, Sr. Orlando Bermúdez, visita frecuentemente la casa en construcción para enterarse del progreso del plan piloto. Por otro lado el Ing. Pablo Muguerza, encargado de la parte técnica del mismo, supervisa cada detalle de la obra.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES. (Haga click en la imagen de abajo o en el enlace para ver más fotos)

Affordable Housing Project - 9

The living room of the house

THE previous activity I shared with you all on the Affordable and Safe Housing Demo, auspiced by CHOI, was about the beginning of roof construction of the house of the Morán Ballesteros family. In this new activity, construction workers finished to make the roof of the living room, dining room, kitchen, corridor and the first bedroom of the house demo. After that, they started to build new walls, by assembling 4mm superboard panels provided by CHOI, to construct the second bedroom located next to the first bedroom previously built.

Family members can not wait to use their new house and are indeed very excited that started to occupy the kitchen and the bedroom for a little while. On the other hand, Jaime Morán Ballesteros - a family member - started to paint the front wall of the house and putty between papercrete panels.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 8

Making the roof of the house demo

CONSIDERING my last updates you must know, at this point, that I have been sharing with you about the Affordable and Safe Housing Demo being built - under CHOI's auspice - for the benefit of the Morán Ballesteros family; one of many living in extreme poverty here in Chimbote-Perú. From my anterior post you have learnt that walls of the kitchen and a bedroom were finished. By this new post you will know that workers started to make the roof of a part the house. This activity first began by making wooden structures that will uphold Eternit panels that will form the roof of the living room, dining room, kitchen, corridor and a bedroom of the house.

This way and progressively the Affordable and Safe Housing Demo continues to run. Workers, under direction of Eng. Pablo Muguerza, work the entire day to finish this pilot plan as soon as possible. This house, that is being built with affordable and safe materials, wakes up people's interest stopping by at the place since they have not seen this kind of house before in the area.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 7

BY MY ANTERIOR POST you have learnt on the start of the making of the interior walls for the kitchen and a bedroom of the Morán Ballesteros family's house. As you can see, the running of the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plant, part of CHOI's Housing Project, is progressively going on. Well, I want to share with you that on the seventh working day of this demo, workers have finished doing the kitchen and a bedroom walls using 4 mm superboard panels and this way the living room and dining room walls are finished also.

On the other hand, workers continued to set up more concrete blocks on the ground of the back of the house. It was also necessary to improve drain installation for the family. Some people who stopped by at the house were very curious about this housing demo and wanted to know more about this kind of house and materials used in its building. Some of them said that would like to have a house like this.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 6

SINCE THE PERIMETER of the Morán Ballesteros family's house was finished (according to the information I shared with you through my anterior post); now, by this new post, I would like to share about activities that took place in the sixth day of execution of the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plan which is part of the CHOI's Housing Project. This new working day involved the start of the making of the interior walls for the kitchen and a bedroom. It was used 4 mm superboard panels (drywall) and wood tables to form the walls. These panels, as well as wood tables, were provided by CHOI.

The walls of the kitchen and that bedroom will allow to form, at the same time, the living room and dining room. There will be a corridor between the kitchen and that bedroom leading to the back of the house. Meanwhile, more green concrete blocks were set up on the ground to keep expanding the floor.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 5

SEVERAL DAYS HAVE GONE BY since the beginning of the execution of the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plan promoted by the CHOI's Housing Project. Little by little the Morán Ballesteros family is seeing as their old house is becoming a new and different one. So far and by my previous post, you have learnt that workers have started to make the side wall or perimeter of the house. Now it is time to share with you all what workers have made in the fifth working day of this demo. Well, in this new activity, workers continued making the house perimeter by assembling more papercrete panels and holding them together using wood tables and screws.

Even, more concrete blocks were set up on the ground to form the floor of a new bedroom. At the end of the working day the house perimeter was finished successfully. Workers are doing a good job under direction of the Eng. Pablo Muguerza who is in charge of the technical part.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 4

THROUGH MY ANTERIOR POST you have learnt about the third working day running the Affordable and Safe Housing Pilot Plan that is part of the Housing Project impulsed by CHOI to provide affordable and safe houses for the poor families of Chimbote. In this new activity, corresponding to the fourth working day, workers have started building the side wall (perimeter) of the Morán Ballesteros family's house. To achieve this, they had to assemble several papercrete panels by using wood tables and screws. At the same time other workers were placing more concrete blocks on the ground to keep completing the floor of the house. It is expected to finish the perimeter the next working day.

Since workers continue to work, the family members stay at the back of their house. They feel very happy even can hardly believe what their eyes see, their own house being built. Eng. Pablo Muguerza, as always, lead the pilot plan. The CHOI's executive director Mr. Orlando Bermúdez often visits the place to know by himself how the progress of the demo is going. Mr. Jorge Villar also visits the site often.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 3

I AM HERE AGAIN TO KEEP SHARING with you all on the progress of the implementation of the affordable and safe housing demo for the Morán Ballesteros family living here in Chimbote - Perú. As you know, this demo is part of CHOI's housing project. So far, I have shared about the first and second day of activities of the pilot plan. Through this new post, you are going to know on the third day of activities that involved the making of the front wall of the house, by assembling papercrete panels, and the placement of more concrete blocks on the ground in order to keep making the floor.

So, from early in the morning until afternoon, workers hired by CHOI and some members of the Morán Ballesteros family were working to keep in the making of the floor and in the assembly of the front wall. Eng. Pablo Muguerza was present the whole time overseeing the right execution of the work. Mr. Jaime Morán together with his chilcren are very happy of seeing that their house is formed gradually.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.

Affordable Housing Project - 2

CONTINUING WITH the implementation of the affordable housing demo (that is part of CHOI's Home Improvement Program: Better House, Better Life that will benefit the Morán Ballesteros family, a very poor family) and having been completed the anterior labor (leveling process of the ground); by this post I want to share the next activity that took place in their house some days ago. This new activity started with the placement of  the first concrete blocks on the ground of what will be the living room and dining room of the house. Little by little the floor made of affordable products was being formed. At the same time other workes, hired by CHOI, were preparing the first papercret panel to place it as one of the several panels that will form the perimeter walls of the house.

As the time went by, more concrete blocks were placed on the ground leveling them one by one. Papercrete panels stayed standing firmly because they were screwed to wood which also helped to unite panel to panel. While this work was doing, more panels and wood were brought to the place. In my next post I will share more about progress of this demo.

Click on the image below or on the link to see more PICTURES.