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Update
on PIURA As many of you are aware, we have supported in various ways a community of families in Piura (Peru) for more than twelve years now. The community consists of approximately 60 families; just over 400 people, and also includes Gladys Montalban - the daughter of Leo's former housekeeper in Peru. In the early years, we sent $5500 per year in relief aid, and called it "the Breakfast Project". Incredibly, our $100 per week was paying for 400 meals per day! In Piura the community call the group "Comedor Solidaridad". Then in 1997 we sent approximately $16,000 in one lump sum - which purchased two taxis. These taxis were (and still are - when the weather allows it!) being rented out to the husbands, who then earn a living from using them. Since 1997 the rental income has paid for "the Breakfast Project" and in this way, the two projects together have become largely self-financing. Then in 1998, El Nino hit Piura badly, and emergency aid was required and requested of us for these very special circumstances. We've also continued to support the community every year at Christmas, and in 2001 we sent an additional $3200 for new engines for the taxis! But – it continues to be a tough business, not only because of the weather. There’s strong competition in the taxi business; the police constantly interfere and pass new laws (in 2002 they had to change the colours of the taxis!) and the fines are harsh. But at least it does continue to give the community a continuing income - and jobs where there would otherwise be none. But…. in 2002 Peru was again badly hit by flooding and storms. We received an urgent appeal for help from Gladys - particularly for food and medicines. With roads washed away they couldn’t use the taxis, and therefore they were again losing their income. The Parish sent another $4500, and with this they were able to buy supplies of food, galvanized zinc for roofing, and carry out more urgent repairs on the taxis. In 2003, in spite of the continuing daily hardships, we received relatively positive reports from Gladys about the daily life of the community, and for once the weather did not do the kind of damage that it had done in previous years. However, the reports about Gladys’s health were less good. She was diagnosed as having diabetes, and had lost the sight of one eye. Nonetheless, she continued to take a leading role in the project. AND NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS! Although El Ninjo was threatened for 2004, it did not materialise! The most recent correspondence we received from Gladys wished us (the Community) a blessed Christmas and thanked us again for all the help we’d given previously. Therefore – we hope and pray that the $1000 sent from our Community to their Community in November can this year be used to make their Christmas a little bit special - rather than having to be spent on emergency roofing and subsistence living. THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMUNITY,
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