First Few Days in Lima

Photo: Ms. Bridgette enjoying the sights and sounds of Lima as we take a break from rushing around to meetings.

Wow - this has been an exciting and very full first few days of the outreach project to Kusi. As our Peruvian project director is fond of saying, "all is possible in Peru."

Well, let me tell you . . . I think we have maxed it out. The bulk of the last few dyas have been around the promotion and "bridge building" for our Briding the Divide run in December. We have been really fortunate to meet with a number of really influential Peruvian "change agents."

On Thursday afternoon we video taped 5 very high ranking Peruvian national congress people for the "I am the Bridge" promotion. The five included the former President Alberto Fujimori's son, one of the most respected junior congress woman and the equivalent of the U.S. speaker of the house. We filmed them in the congress hall.

Last night, we met with Keiko Fujimori and filmed her for the "I am the Bridge" promotion. Need-less-to-say, Keiko is one of the biggest names in Peruvian politics. Her name recognition (for good or bad) is pretty much world wide. I think this could be a "viral" video hit on YouTube.

Additional video filming included one of the top surfers in the world, Peru's most notable modern painter, and Ms. Peru. This week we will have Daniel working on the Mayor of Lima and perhaps . . . fingers crossed, the President himself - Ollanta Humala. Fingers crossed.

Yesterday we had an amazing outreach clinic with Peruvian physicians, dentists and nurses in the community of Lomas de Carabayllo. You may remember this area from our previous work around the car battery issue (please see Valle Segrado). The clinic was very busy and a bit chaotic. It, however, was a great success. We ended up seeing over 100 people in around 4 hours. Most important for our work was the community forum that took place after the clinic. We are hoping that the collective interest on the part of the community leaders and representatives can help to source a long term solution for the needs of this desperately impoverished area.

Stay tuned to the HBI Blog for updates on our adventures in Yungay at the Union Biblica Camp Kusi.