2 November 2010

I have spent the last couple days in Arequipa City attempting to get everything I can done. It never quite feels like enough time. Researching like a mad woman and having fun making games to teach what I want the kids to know. The curriculum is coming along slowly but surly and I love it more and more as I step back and look at it.

The week to come I will be paring with Health Bridges International to translate questions and answers for them as the survey the health of citizens that live in the Canyon. Very needed work. This is the information they recruited me with:

"Here is an update on Health Bridges International CARE III-Colca Valley Community Needs Assesment. CARE stands for our research projects Community Assessment of Resource and Healthcare Experiences. This is a basic demographic snapshot of underserved regions we work with as well as some health care access and utilization questions. The reason why we do these studies is a mutli-headed beast. First, there is little to no data around the Andean population and especially in regards to healthcare. The government creates many programs, which is laudable, but are they impacting the 10 million people spread out over the Andes. That's what we want to know. The second reason for this research is the adage "A bell rung, can't be unrung". Regardless as to what comes from our research, we want to give the Colca Valley a voice to be represented with real data, rather than some extrapolation from someone in Lima. The third reason is a selfish one, organizationally. Continued research gives HBI credibility and creates possible avenues for funding and capacity building for future programs. Our goal is to bridge the gap of poverty, to help everyone to have an easier passage over merely considering basic needs each day to considering hopes, dreams and happiness."