Slide 1: Distributed 150 wheelchairs shipped and received in Lima to people in need. Santa Monica rotary club was another sponsor of this project, also provided 8 specialized new motorized wheelchairs to people in need. These items changed the lives of the recipients and their families as they were carried into the room and were able to move around freely after this gift. This project is about providing these people with meaningful, life changing tools that build pride in rotary with our participation.  

 

Slide 2: Central Square in Lima: Discussion about some of the colorful guides met during the trip and exploring the plaza which is the central government area including the presidential palace.

 

Slide 3: Visiting a clinic: Went to the central/main hospital in Lima and brought and distributed medical and dental supplies. These items are in short supply and they brought everything from beds to basic instruments. They have shortages in almost everything.  

 

Slide 4: Special Education School in El Molina: The District brought backpacks to each student in this incredible school that was founded 25 years ago by the local rotary club. The children have to walk to school because there are no busses so having backpacks are a must. These students get the opportunity to learn and have access to a pool for water therapy. The clubs members had lunch at the school and got to mingle with the students.

 

Slide 5: Musical Instruments Project:  The club delivered instruments like Bassoon, Oboe, Clarinet and Flute for a school age orchestra in Manchai. A poverty stricken town of 80,000 people that has very low standards of living and wages. Inside a church a group of around 60 youth gathered to sign and play for the guests. 10 seconds into their playing, the Rotarians knew they were listening to something truly amazing and the performance was stirring, polished and breathtaking. This continued to amaze for an entire hour. It turns out this orchestra is world famous and has played in London, Paris and has an invitation to perform at Carnagie Hall.  They practice 3 hours a day and it has improved their grades, education and changed lives. Diego Flores is a tenor who has raised money for them and also Gustavo Dudamel from the LA Phil is associated with this group.  Greg felt the lesson here is that people with almost nothing can achieve miraculous results given the opportunity.

 

Slide 6: Chimbote Nutrition Project: In a city of 100,000, the diet of these people is not healthy. They eat meat, rice, potatoes and bread. So some of these children have malnutrition and diabetes is common. This project set up a testing program to evaluate blood sugar levels then met with the children’s and their families to tell them about balanced diets and eating vegetables.

 

Slide 7: lunch at local rotary club: Thank you from local dignitaries which included the Peruvian equivalent to the Secretary of Education who thanked all of the Rotarians.

 

Slide 8: Shopping and hanging out exploring Cusco main square. Fun place with a parade full of colorful characters and costumed revelers on parade.

  

Slide 9: Salt Mine visit

 

Slide 10: The Water Project in Mancaybamba. The District volunteers helped people who were getting their drinking water from a polluted river, fund the creation of a new reservoir which will provide clean and safe drinking water for the community. The community came out to celebrate and entertain with traditional clothes, food and music. They were very thankful and the club will monitor the project to ensure completion in the next year.

 

The presentation ended with some slides of the trip at Machu Pichu.