Monday, May 26, 2014

Week 1: Digestion Probs in Peru- Toilets, Cold Showers, and Mamey

Our first day in Peru we were greeted by an apartment with no working water, meaning our toilets didn't flush. Luckily, that's fixed now...for the most part! I definitely have a new appreciation for flushing toilets! And HOT WATER! Every shower is cold. It's not so bad though because it's so hot.
Lesson #1- Warm water and flushing toilets are a luxury!
The view of our backyard from our window

I've been here in Piura for a little over a week now and my body is trying to acclimate to the new environment, germs, and food.
Lesson #2- Don't eat fresh vegetables unless they have been sanitized. I was craving fresh vegetables after all the fried food we'd been eating.  ate a chicken wrap that had lettuce and tomatoes in it while everyone else ate KFC. Needless to say, I was the only one that got sick.

On the bright side, I discovered my new favorite fruit: Mamey! It tastes like a mixture of a peach and a mango. It's delicious!

In this last week I have visited different places to find where I want to focus my efforts for my internship. I need to find opportunities to help with nutrition because that is the area of my major that I have chosen to gain more experience in. I volunteered at two different schools for kids with special needs and that was a great experience.


I also went to a school that's in a poorer area on the outskirts of Piura and loved it! The kids are so cute and well behaved.


I visited an orphanage and helped with the kids in one of the houses. On Tuesday I am going back to talk to the nutritionist that makes all of the menu plans for the houses within the orphanage. I hope there is an opportunity for me there!

Last weekend we went to the beach in Colán. Lesson #3- When you are warned that there are jellyfish in the water, it's best not to go into the water. McCall learned that lesson when she got stung on her foot. Luckily there are kind people in the world to help! Some local fisherman were able to get her foot taken care of!
This weekend we went to Chiclayo, Monsefu, and Lambayeque(a 3 hour bus ride to the South). We are doing a project in Monsefu this coming weekend so we went to check things out so that we'll be prepared. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recently installed a well for the people that live outside of Monsefu, and have asked our organization to teach workshops on how to use the water. I am teaching a workshop on how to sanitize fruits and vegetables as well as how to clean water. 


Sunday, April 13, 2014

Peru, Here I Come!

Hi! My name is Allie and I am going to change lives someday. I believe in people. I know that given the right opportunity, people will make good choices to improve the quality of their lives.

A little about me:

  • I am a Senior in Family and Consumer Science Education at BYU-Idaho
  • I love classic movies
  • I have been told that I make the world's best chocolate chip cookies
  • I love to travel
  • I have been involved in service activities/projects for over 15 years and I love it!

I am getting ready to head to Peru in just one month and I am so excited! 

As I have prepared to go on this internship, my eyes have been opened to what I want to do with my life- Serve. In the last year and a half since I returned home from serving an LDS mission in California my life has felt purposeless. Since being accepted to the HELP internship program, my life has found purpose again. Upon making my five-year plan for a class, I discovered that I want to get my Master's Degree in Public or International Health. Going to Peru this summer will prepare me for my future career to save the world! My goal is to work for the UN someday to improve the health of mothers and children across the globe.


As a volunteer, I have the opportunity to raise funds to serve the community and support these projects. My goal is to raise $3,550.00 by May 15, 2014.

Even a small donation significantly increases the impact that we can have on the community in Peru. I am inviting you to join me with HELP International to serve the people of Peru by donating $35, $50, $100, $250, $500 or whatever you can

Checks should be made payable to HELP International with “Alaura Adams” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed directly to HELP International or through Network for Good online. For online donations, go to the help website (listed below), click on “Donate” at the top of the home page, and include “Alaura Adams” in the dedication box.

HELP International
455 N University Ave #212
Provo, Utah 84601



http://help-international.org/



*Funds raised herewith are donations to HELP International, to be used at HELP International’s discretion. Donations are non refundable. HELP International is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit charitable organization. Your contributions may be tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.