Workshop and Weed-Whacking

Productive Workshop

Photos:  
*San Gabriel, Alto--a "neighborhood" of 50,000 in Lima (3 photos).  
*Sonia, the director of the Taller Productivo (Productive Workshop).  
*The computer lab--many of the CPU's and monitors are being used as parts to fix computers. The students here learn how to use the computers along with how to fix them.  
*"Nothing takes as long to arrive as that which is never begun." (One of the inspirational sayings in their Workshop.)  
*First electrical outlet I've seen like this. This can be used with a computer with a standard US plug or a device with the Peruvian plug pattern.  
*Classroom rules--good rules to live by as well.  

We began our week with a site visit to a community facility operated by the Lima Metropolitan government that provides skills training in a very poor neighborhood of Lima known as San Gabriel Alto. This facility is a "Productive Workshop" that is designed to help people learn productive skills to become more economically independent. San Gabriel is up in the hills above Lima and is an area troubled by adolescent pregnancy, abandoned mothers, family violence, drug abuse, and gangs. We went to evaluate their request for used computers to help them with their computer workshop which we understood previously was used to give training in computer repair.

It took us about two hours to get there and we eventually drove through a part of Lima where we had never ventured. While the neighborhood has many troubles, we had none during our visit and felt safe and secure. I expect that may not be the case were we to venture there ourselves or at night, but it was good to make the in-person visit to get a better understanding of the environment and challenges that are faced here.

The workshop is located in the center of this neighborhood and courses are taught in sewing, cooking, cosmetology, and computers. We learned of numerous success stories of individuals who used the basic skills they learned here in order to improve their economic prospects and gain the abilities necessary to be able to be employed or to actually begin their own businesses.

The computer lab was designed to be used to teach computer skills in programs such as Word and Excel which are in high demand and increase employability. Those who participate in the other workshops here also want to learn the Word and Excel programs to be able to promote and track their own businesses. The computer repair workshop is both accidental and essential. Accidental because it came about from the need to repair their own computers when they broke and essential because they needed to use those computers or they wouldn't have any. They basically have about 60-80 dead computers and monitors that they cannibalize to use for parts to keep their existing computers running. At the time of our visit there were only four obsolete computers that were functional.

We were impressed that in addition to teaching "hard skills" the program managers also work to develop and teach "soft skills" and promote character development in the participants. Many come from dysfunctional family situations and never had positive role models to help inculcate some of the skills and habits that lead to self-sufficiency and employability. Many, or most, have not completed school. Encouragement and support is given to help them get back into the educational system.

Most of these homes are built on the hillside with no road access. Access to them is via stairways that you can see running up the hillside. In most of Lima the poorer neighborhoods are on the hillsides. No roads, frequently no power or water (at least initially), and access is difficult both for residents and for first responders.

I felt like I was almost at the YMCA when I saw these trees that had leaves describing character values--love God, love your neighbor, respect, companionship, kindness, generosity, honor, responsibility, honesty, courtesy, punctuality. (YMCA values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility). Character values that are not present in many of their lives but that the people running the workshop are teaching to help them lift themselves out of poverty.

Upon our return to our managers, we were able to provide our assessment of the visit. We provided them with 10 excess computers that had been donated to our department. This provided them with 10 functional workstations of computers that were neither on their last gasp nor obsolete. The director of the programs replied to our e-mail notification of the donation and said that our visit was truly an answer to prayer. The people here are so gracious and grateful for any assistance that can be provided. This workshop is involved directly in helping people develop the skills and habits that can help them to become more self-reliant. 

Weed-Whacking

Photos:  

*Many places use weed wackers to cut the grass here. The tarp shields passing cars from rocks, grass, and debris thrown by the weed-whackers.  

We were glad to finally get some photos of the park maintenance grass crew in action. As we were walking from home to the office there was a team of 25 cutting the grass, raking the cuttings, and protecting passing cars. They keep the parks and parkways between the roads in tip-top shape. Grass here gets cut about every two weeks and it is amazing that 25 people working week-whackers can get the grass nice and even. It is also amazing how quickly they can cut a large area of grass. If I didn't know it was done with weed-whackers there would be no way to tell except for the fact that there were no wheel tracks from mowers. Those of you who know me well might find that amazing since you know I am very picky about the grass.

We don't know why they choose to do it this way. It works well for them and they've obviously got a system established. We love the parks throughout our neighborhood and between our apartment and the office. Walking to work is much more enjoyable when we can enjoy the grass, trees, and flowers along the way. The visit to San Gabriel reminded us of how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful part of the city.

After our visit to San Gabriel this week I am reminded of a quote by a wise religious leader who said:

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.

                                                             --Ezra Taft Benson

We are so happy to be here in Peru!