sweet bread and brick gathering

I really just wanted to write about the people that I have met here in Pisco these range from the little boy Jose who saw me working outside his home in the rubble and was ushered out by his mother bearing gifts of cold fanta and sweet bread. He stood by me and watched me devour his family´s kind offerings. These people who are so poor and living in horrendous conditions. After this three small boys playing foot ball on a pitch they had marked out in the foundations of what had been a school where many pupils had died, stopped their game took up spare tools and started to help chilsel at the bricks to help us in our work. I have also met amazing volunteers people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Such an example is Andy, he is my project manager for the corner stone or shitters project. This involves the building and erection of 6 toilet blocks made from re-enforced concrete that will form the structural supports for the houses which they serve. Andy is the jolliest and warmest person you could hope to meet. He is trained as an engineer but has not had a job since 2004. He was caught up in the boxing day Tsunami he lost both his partner and best friend and was very lucky to survive himself. After months in hospital he returned and since this point has spent his life volunteering in disaster zones. He says that if ever he is again so close to death and has such time to contemplate and reflect upon his existence he wants to feel that he has helpèd. This is a valuable lesson and I hope that I too will live with as much courage and resiliance as Andy.

Today I have been out and about in Pisco searching through the rubbish tips and the rubble heaps for bricks to re use in the foundations for the toilet blocks. Whilst carrying out this job I had time to reflect and to look about me to realise that in a few seconds your life can be reduced to a pile of rubble.