Diaz Family

9, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Diaz family plus WJR

7, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Walter Diaz, Patriarch of the Diaz Family

4, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Walter lives up stairs with his three children, his brother Aldo's former wife, Soylia and her daughter Kathy.

Our Peruvian Extended Family - Diaz Anacama

Mesothelioma

Monica and Giovanna

Monica and Giovanna, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Again Merry Christmas to all of you out there in net world. Hopefully you will enjoy our photo journal of the work we are doing here in South America. Monica on your left is 13 years old and is talking to Giovanna. This photo is my favorite of all those taken while at this Childrens Home South of Lima, Peru. As I indicated in previous posts, it was hard for me to leave but promised Monica that I would be back.

Monica is only one out of some 130 children here, most of which have known no other home or family. They certainly were excited to have us there as they do not get many visitors from the outside world.

Please take time and review all of our previous posts reflecting our visit there and the work we are doing here in Peru. Let me know if you would like to be a caring friend of one of these little ones ------

God Bless, enjoy and share !!!

Childrens Living Quarters

Childrens Living Quarters, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Bunk Beds

Bunk Beds, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Skate Board Ramp & WJR Harmonica

Skate Board Ramp & WJR Harmonica, originally uploaded by walterjii.

The story about our visit to this childrens home you will find on the previos blog posing about the Peruvian Children's Home. I think you will enjoy the documentary as much as I did in recording it. Send us your thoughts and comments if you are so moved.

Children Group

Children Group, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Dad Robb and Harmonica At Childrens Home South of Lima, Peru.

Dad Robb and Harmonica At Childrens Home South of Lima, Peru., originally uploaded by walterjii.

Entertainment for the children at the Childrens Home. Most of these kids are from the streets, abandoned and starving for love and attention. They never saw a harmonica before and were very intrigued. As you can see, I have had some difficulty learning to upload photos. I guess more practice is needed !!

Peruvian Childrens Home Dad Robb & Harmonica

Well, here we are about 50 miles South of Lima, Peru, SA at a childrens home where we delivered Christmas presants and clothing. Study the posted photographs, I think they tell quite a moving story.

Mesothelioma

Childrens Orchard - Apples & Peaches

Childrens Orchard - Apples & Peaches, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Taking a brake and eating peaches.

On Way to Gardens

On Way to Gardens, originally uploaded by walterjii.

These little ones were so proud to show me their grape vines and peach trees. While taking it all in they brought me a hat full of very ripe peaches and they started to peal them for me. I opened my pocket knife and the girl on the right snached it and within seconds I had a delightful and refreshing fruit lunch. Some or many of their American counterparts should seriously study this photo. What do you think ???

Monica and Giovanna

Monica and Giovanna, originally uploaded by walterjii.

If this does not tell a story, I do not know what does and if it does not grab your heart - well - maybe we don,t know what Christmas is all about, I know He loves her - what can I say, I think this tells it all.

You can see how dry it is

You can see how dry it is, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Our Tour Guides

Our Tour Guides, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Our adopted and God Given Kids

Our adopted and God Given Kids, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Childrens Home, Peruvian Christmas & Photos

Good Afternoon Everybody and Merry Christmas.Yesterday Giovanna, her friend Iris and myself returned from a Childrens Home about 50 miles to the South of Lima where we dropped off about 100 lbs. of clothes, food and toys . Obviously, I was the resident mule. Getting there was quite an adventure, busses and cabs, over very rouh terrain and finally arriving at a walled in compound and what appeared to be about 5 acres between two mountains in a small arid valley.We were met at the front steel gate by an old Catholic Nun, apparently in charge and was informed that the facility had been there for about 7 years and originally funded by a German Firm, operated by mostly volunteers. Once inside the facility we were met by a number of children, all who wanted to give us a tour. One young lad of maybe 6 years took me by the hand and led me away to the shoe factory which is housed there. The older boys make shoes and take care of the farm animals, mostly belted hogs and also work in the dairy across the street, an 80 holestein herd. Then two little girls about 11 and 13 appeared from nowhere and took me to their fruit orchard of apples, peaches, bannanas and other furit I did not recognize. One of the little girls proudly brought me about six very ripe peaches which we delighted in, so sweet. Then further on through a clearing appeared their very well kept gardens of sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, hugh beets, equally large carrots, beans, onions, and, pineapple. The gardens were very neat, clean without weeds and were watered hydroponically with gate valves every 16 feet. Shortly thereafter I met a young 28 year old Peruvian doctor who spoke very good english. He had been volunteering there for about three weeks and was very interested in us and our mission there. I informed him that we were there to do what we could bring some yankee sunshine ilnto the hearts of those he was there to take care of. He said that the facility did not receive much help from the outside world and what did come by were normally a few local volunteers like himself. We were also told that the Peruvian governmental authorities were downsizing such facilities and leaving the unwanted children to the streets and back alleys of the villages and towns. We understood that the population here was down from 170 to 130 in less than a year. Then on to the bakery we went and were served fresh bread with one little fellow taking me over to see his machine, a huge bread mixer, his job was to clean daily, I guess. Lastly, we were ushured into the very big kitchen where about 10 or 12 children, the oldest being maybe 15 were preparing dinner in huge pots, mostly potatoes, chicken, rice and fruit drink. Everybody there had one or more jobs including school and church activities, all very well mannered and obviously starving for attention and affection. It was a lot to take in and digest and yet one felt such admiration for their toughness and how the facility was so efficiently layed out with one thing in mind - productivity and self-sufficiency. Ofcourse, the climate provides for aggriculture all year long and their foreign exchange comes from the sale of their shoes which match or exceed any I have every seen, all hand made by the children, the young boys were so proud and pleased to show me their complete line. The experience made me reflect on how deprived my own grandchildren are not having to spend a year here with these little ones. Some, were, ofcourse, hardened as you could see it in their eyes coming from some undescribeable situations I am sure.Needless to say, it was difficult to leave. After asking what the two little girls wanted for Christmas, there was a long silence, then they drifted off with Giovanna. Maybe no one ever asked them that question, don,t know, but later when I was looking over the laundry area on the open 4th floor roof, the girls appeared and Giovanna said that they had an answer for me. Both wanted clothes and from their regged little pants and shirts, I could understand. They could not look into your eyes very long as their humility and deprovation had well set their character.
They were housed in dormitory fashion, row upon row of metal military bunk beds each with a folded towell on the foot rail. each room being very clean and neat as would be the German tradition and certainly not unlike the Peruvians I have met. I could see quickly that this facility was completely self sufficient and sustainable, very well thoughout out and relatively speaking, more accomodating than a similar facility in Ohio or the great north woods.Before my exit, I whipped out my trusty Chineese Harmonica, set down on the outside steps and started playing Christmas Carrolls starting off with Rudolph. It was not 30 seconds before I was surrounded by intrigued little ones. They had never seen a harmonica let alone trying to figure out where the music was coming from. Across from where I was playing there was a large concrete pad socor court with two volunteers form Boston, a young cople supervising the game. They indicated to me that they came down to do what they could for a couple of weeks as the result of a recommendation from a friend up there in New York. Upon arriving back here in Callao, dirty, exhaused, we sent off our one roll of film for processing. Shortly, this epistle will be supplimented with some very moving photographs. Hopefully they will hit their mark and somehow, these little ones will be the beneficiary of someones love and kindness. We are celebrating Christmas this week and remembering the One who came and set us Free. Let that gift that was passed to us be passed to others less fortuniate, not in word only, but in deed and truth. As I was waiting for the girls to come outside, they appeared with Monica, the little girl who gave me a tour of her orchard. I had given her and two of her friends one Peruvian solos each. Then she said to me , thank you in english and motioned for me to return. Giovanna told her that we would after talking to Santa, as we thought he might have something for her .We will probably return to their dessert valley shortly after the first of the year to work for a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe I can learn to make shoes and bake bread !!!Stay tuned for the uploaded photos. Dad Robb

Mesothelioma

Roof Top Dogs on Duty

17, originally uploaded by walterjii.

These are two beautiful german shephards letting me know it is their roof and for me just to keep walking !!

The Grand Lady - Made My Day !!

18, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Good Morning to you all. This picture of the lady tells a lot about the people of Peru. I took this at one of the local farmers markets where everyting imagineable is for sale, especially fresh produce, chicken, fish, rice beans, ect. The story here is one of individual productivity, this is her complete store, a basket of candy and small food items and in the cart more inventory. You will see her and others like her of all ages on every street corner and sometimes in the middle of the road selling one on one. This is her living and she probable lives in one room somewhere without a roof, dirt floor, yet with all of the dignity, pride, humility and class we all can appreciate.

The next picture, not a good one, but depicts the dogs on top of the houses along with chickens and rabbits.
The roof tops are vary well utilized and is where the laundry is done along with the drying of the clothes. You sometimes look up and see three big ass dogs looking down at you and will be quick to let you know you are approaching their turf. Pit Bulls and Rotewilers are plentyful here along with the skinny pure bread no hair Peruvian dog which is one ugly critter, not many cats though. The dogs are amazing that they do not respond to a whistle or calls we are used to and so smart. You will see one readying himself to cross the highway, looking in both directions for just the right time and then shoot across dodging traffic. No I would call that street smart !!!.

Meigs Co. Lester

Meigs Co. Lester, originally uploaded by walterjii.

This is my old friend Lester Alexander who escaped his appointment with the executioner at the Athems,Ohio County Dog Pound about 5 years ago. Since then, Lester has been in charge of the grounds around our farm house. He is loosing his sight now, still needs a good woman and still is in the game, however, like me, a little slower that years gone by.

Our Farm House & B&B

Our Farm House & B&B, originally uploaded by walterjii.

Well folks, this is the old farm house, a little added on to over the years, yet 5 generations of country doctors resided here, the Sweat Family. I also raised 8 kids here and worked their asses off doing all of the stone work, good for them as they are all doing very well. This is also the home of our new Bed and Breakfast or event center, yes, design your own event. App.100 acres to roam over and only 10 miles from down town Athens, Ohio, home of Ohio University. Come and check us out at 40889 School Lot Road, Albany, Ohio 45710, just 3 miles down the road past OU Airport on Co. Rd. 71, exit off of Route 32/50.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Home Sweet Home

A dear friend of mine was so kind to stop by the old homestead and snap a few digital pictures which I want to share with you. The house of German and Spanish origin was originally the home of Dortors Sweat, actually five generations of family doctors come from there, the house actually being their office years ago. Lots of history there and of course, I raised 8 children there along with countless dogs and other assorted cirtters. The home was also a grist milll at one time and the cold water springs there were used to cool milk in the early days before refrigeration. There is a creek that flows beside and in front of the house, in the early days of Meigs County it was known as Sharps Creek which floods annually a couple of times but never reaches the house and goes down as fast as it comes up.

Now the bad ass dalmation dog you see there, his name is also Lester. He is a graduate of the local Athens County Dog Pound and was assigned to death row shortly before I extracated him from his doom. Quite a find dog, also one or two short of a six pack and going blind I think although he still has a damn good nose.

Not much to report form here in Peru. Still waiting on our government to grant our requested immigrant visa for Giovanna. Weather in Ohio is slightly different from the warm pacific breeze down here, yet if I had my drothers, I would like to be feeding a wood stove right now. Stay Tuned !!!

Neighborhood Farmers & Produce Markets

The following pictures dipict the significant amount of fresh produce, meats, fish and other products available at the farmers or community markets here. There are about four large ones within walking distance from here plus many other small family markets and stores. Also, there are many small shops within every block or neighborhood. Again, everybody here works or is producing something. A pleasure to see. Since there is no social welfare here, if you don´t work or produce, you will not eat. We have much to learn from these people.

The pictures of the young girl are those of Gladis, the only daughter of Giovanna´s youngest brother who left here about two weeks ago for Chili to find work. That being the case, he left me with three women to take care of, not a bad job at all. These pirctures were taken during her ¨¨coming out party¨¨, a traditional celebration of womanhood at 15 years old. A major event in a young Peruvian Girl´s life.

I am not used to such care and am getting fat from all of the chicken, rice and daily fresh bread and juice. Most of the stores are extremely small and in the markets, one about every 12 feet apart and packed with people daily. Unlike us, the shop daily for fresh food. You do not see the canned goods here because of the abundance of fresh commodities. The climate makes this possible as the weather is seldom below 60 deg. or higher that 80 deg. with an almost constant pacific breeze.

Friends from The Gambia, West Africa

Gambian Socor Team members staying in our hotel.

This is one of the 3 - wheeled taxis so common here in Lima. The lady below had a booth in one of the local markets, 100.s of vendors there. She prepared fresh juice of all types, very good.

My lettle friend, Giovanna and I.
These are some of my friends I met shortly after arriving in Lima. They were all very gracious to me, spoke english and invited Giovanna and I to their country. The indicated that they could use assistance with economic development, especially in the area of cattle ranching and irrigation systems, sustainable agriculture. Here I was playing my harmonica made in China to this young couple form Gambia.

Thoughts Before Going to Bed

My little girlfriend here was playing ball in the street by herself and with her dog - she stopped for a moment while I caught her picture. My friend below was about to have lunch at one of the street diners on cart wheels, totally self-contained.

I offer this shot of The Corner Pub and Sports Bar only to show that the Yankee is busy in downtown Lima. When I was in there it was packed out but too damn expensive for a poor farm boy. As you can see, and this is just of many, the fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, chicken, fish, beef, pork, ect. is in abundance down here - I damn near odeed on banannas, an addiction which I have not yet overcome.


For sure, many of these photographs reflect the productivity of the Peruvian people and the abundance of riches bestowed upon them in terms of agro-production as they apply their hands to the soil and its riches. The internet has only been here, for the common people, just over a year, yet there are now internet cafes all over the place, well managed and full of young people connecting and chating locally and throughout the world. What a blessing this technology is for those who crave to learn and connect - truely our world is becoming more flat, open and connected. Where this all is going is truely exciting, yet there exists so much suffering mostly caused by man himself and not discounting natural disasters fortold of long ago - eg. - Pakistan and its children this winter - we should all think about that on our way to the ball game and Wall Mart ??

More Pictures From Callao, Peru

Well folks, more pictures. The little fellows are street merchants and they knew their trade very well. Says a lot about American kids, doesn.t it ?? How about that good looking dalmation, he was pissed off. By the way, from my vantage point down here, those little fellows sure make obvious how spoiled and handicapped our American kids really are though their parents are thinking they are doing them a favor taking them to ball games and other foolishness.


The old lady was selling what she had and she shared her hat with me. Again, productivity, she was just not sitting on the porch waiting for the big one.
This little guy was evidently in training and was taken with my white hair which is not seen much down here. You can see his mother has another one on the way so he will have much to do. And upon the blanket is another open-air mini-mall, not quite Wall Mart, but a hell of a lot more interesting. Says a lot about American women laying around on their fat asses collecting welfare doesn.t it or those sucking on others bread.