27 May 2018
Life in Peru is very different from back home due to many factors. One notable difference is that we live in one of the most active fault zones in the world, and earthquakes are an expected part of life here.
Peru sits on the 'Ring of Fire', an area that includes all coastal regions on the Pacific Ocean (west coast of North and South America, along with the east coast of Asia). As the earth's tectonic plates move over and under each other, they cause volcanoes and earthquakes, both of which we have experienced here in Peru. Our humanitarian efforts here have often focused on assisting with these devastating events.
After every earthquake, our humanitarian office immediately starts making phone calls to church leaders in affected areas to determine the extent of the damage. Governments usually call us first for help after a devastating earthquake because they know that we are often the first on the scene to provide emergency assistance.
During my entire life before coming to Peru, I had only felt one earthquake when I was a child in Utah. Here in Peru, I have felt several over the past 14 months. They are so common here that the Peruvians have a variety of names for them ranging from 'temblores' (or tremors that shake your buildings and wake you up in the middle of the night) to 'terremotos' (or real earth-shattering quakes that demolish cities). Lima, for example, has been destroyed several times over the past 500 years due to earthquakes (along with the Tsunami tidal waves that often accompany the quakes).
This past week we had two earthquakes - one that shook us awake in the early morning and one later that week that rattled us at our office. The first was a 5.2 magnitude quake with an epicenter about 90 miles south of here; the second one was a 4.9 magnitude quake about 120 miles north of here. There were no fatalities and only minimal damage to buildings, but both quakes certainly got our attention!
After a quake occurs, people here check their cell phone apps to see where the quake occurred and how bad it was. We get these reports within 5 minutes after a quake has happened. Web sites also keep us up to date on where and when quakes have occurred. (Tsunamis are a very real danger here after a quake, so you only have a little time to move to higher ground if you are on the coast).
During an earthquake, we are instructed to seek protection in a safe place. If we are indoors, they suggest getting on the floor next to an object that can shield you - without getting under that object. If the ceiling or wall collapses, the strong object you are near may get mostly crushed, but the area next to it offers protection. They call it the "Triangulo de la Vida" or the triangle of life.
During the early morning earthquake this week, I just rolled out of bed and onto the floor next to the bed. That was my triangle of life. (Sandy, on the other hand, got up and wandered around the house, hoping all the shaking would end soon. I kept yelling at her to get on the floor and find a 'triangle of life').
We have to admit that living here in Lima concerns us at times, given the many earthquakes that have occurred over the past centuries. However, modern buildings (like our apartment and office) are constructed to standards that make us feel a little better. We just pray for the many people that live in poorly built houses that will collapse during the next 'big' earthquake.
For years, we have made our wheelchair donations through a Peruvian partner called the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion (INR or National Rehabilitation Institute). We have donated almost 4,000 wheelchairs through them in the past 8 years.
The INR takes care of evaluating poor people throughout Peru and making sure the wheelchair donations go to those with the greatest needs. They also handle the many logistical tasks in dealing with the local health agencies during wheelchair deliveries. They have been considered one of our best partners worldwide. So, when a new administration came in recently and replaced everyone in the previous donation committee, we were very concerned.
Dave and Sherri Jones, the volunteer wheelchair specialists from Texas who coordinate our donations, came to Peru this week to met with us and the new leadership at INR. We wanted to ensure the transition to the new administration would go smoothly and that this critical relationship we have with them would continue to go on into the future.
Thankfully, the new administration at INR is still committed to supporting our donations, although at perhaps a slower and probably more rational level. We may be making smaller donations in the future, but they have committed to maintaining a higher level of service in terms of the quality evaluations and deliveries they provide.
We breathed a sigh of relief.
Peru has the greatest number of bird species in the world. Given that the country covers parts of the Amazon Jungle, the Andes Mountains, and a very long coast line, thousands of bird species live here or travel through on yearly migrations. I have included many bird photos in past blogs. Here are a few more shots I have taken recently around Lima and in the jungle.
And so we return to the office this week to continue our work on the project to ship goods for starting home businesses for the many starving Venezuelans who are suffering in that country. Their current dictator 'won' another term in office last weekend by paying everyone who voted for him in this rigged election. We will likely be working on this Venezuelan project until the end of our mission (which is now less than two months away).
Life in Peru is very different from back home due to many factors. One notable difference is that we live in one of the most active fault zones in the world, and earthquakes are an expected part of life here.
Peruvian Earthquakes and the Ring of Fire
Peru sits on the 'Ring of Fire', an area that includes all coastal regions on the Pacific Ocean (west coast of North and South America, along with the east coast of Asia). As the earth's tectonic plates move over and under each other, they cause volcanoes and earthquakes, both of which we have experienced here in Peru. Our humanitarian efforts here have often focused on assisting with these devastating events.
After every earthquake, our humanitarian office immediately starts making phone calls to church leaders in affected areas to determine the extent of the damage. Governments usually call us first for help after a devastating earthquake because they know that we are often the first on the scene to provide emergency assistance.
During my entire life before coming to Peru, I had only felt one earthquake when I was a child in Utah. Here in Peru, I have felt several over the past 14 months. They are so common here that the Peruvians have a variety of names for them ranging from 'temblores' (or tremors that shake your buildings and wake you up in the middle of the night) to 'terremotos' (or real earth-shattering quakes that demolish cities). Lima, for example, has been destroyed several times over the past 500 years due to earthquakes (along with the Tsunami tidal waves that often accompany the quakes).
This past week we had two earthquakes - one that shook us awake in the early morning and one later that week that rattled us at our office. The first was a 5.2 magnitude quake with an epicenter about 90 miles south of here; the second one was a 4.9 magnitude quake about 120 miles north of here. There were no fatalities and only minimal damage to buildings, but both quakes certainly got our attention!
After a quake occurs, people here check their cell phone apps to see where the quake occurred and how bad it was. We get these reports within 5 minutes after a quake has happened. Web sites also keep us up to date on where and when quakes have occurred. (Tsunamis are a very real danger here after a quake, so you only have a little time to move to higher ground if you are on the coast).
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| Quake map showing recent earthquakes in our area. The green and orange arrows point to the quakes that happened last week north and south of Lima (4.9 and 5.2 magnitude). |
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| These are our latest earthquakes. Cell phone apps and internet web sites keep us informed quickly after quakes occur here in Peru. |
During an earthquake, we are instructed to seek protection in a safe place. If we are indoors, they suggest getting on the floor next to an object that can shield you - without getting under that object. If the ceiling or wall collapses, the strong object you are near may get mostly crushed, but the area next to it offers protection. They call it the "Triangulo de la Vida" or the triangle of life.
 |
| The Triangle of Life - finding the right place to hide during an earthquake can save your life. |
During the early morning earthquake this week, I just rolled out of bed and onto the floor next to the bed. That was my triangle of life. (Sandy, on the other hand, got up and wandered around the house, hoping all the shaking would end soon. I kept yelling at her to get on the floor and find a 'triangle of life').
We have to admit that living here in Lima concerns us at times, given the many earthquakes that have occurred over the past centuries. However, modern buildings (like our apartment and office) are constructed to standards that make us feel a little better. We just pray for the many people that live in poorly built houses that will collapse during the next 'big' earthquake.
Changes at our Wheelchair Partner
For years, we have made our wheelchair donations through a Peruvian partner called the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion (INR or National Rehabilitation Institute). We have donated almost 4,000 wheelchairs through them in the past 8 years.
The INR takes care of evaluating poor people throughout Peru and making sure the wheelchair donations go to those with the greatest needs. They also handle the many logistical tasks in dealing with the local health agencies during wheelchair deliveries. They have been considered one of our best partners worldwide. So, when a new administration came in recently and replaced everyone in the previous donation committee, we were very concerned.
 |
| Here are a few of the hundred wheelchairs donated at a recent delivery ceremony in the city of Ica. |
Dave and Sherri Jones, the volunteer wheelchair specialists from Texas who coordinate our donations, came to Peru this week to met with us and the new leadership at INR. We wanted to ensure the transition to the new administration would go smoothly and that this critical relationship we have with them would continue to go on into the future.
 |
| Dave and Sherri Jones, Alex Principe, and us along with the new doctors and therapists at the National Rehabilitation Institute. |
Thankfully, the new administration at INR is still committed to supporting our donations, although at perhaps a slower and probably more rational level. We may be making smaller donations in the future, but they have committed to maintaining a higher level of service in terms of the quality evaluations and deliveries they provide.
We breathed a sigh of relief.
More Feathered Friends
Peru has the greatest number of bird species in the world. Given that the country covers parts of the Amazon Jungle, the Andes Mountains, and a very long coast line, thousands of bird species live here or travel through on yearly migrations. I have included many bird photos in past blogs. Here are a few more shots I have taken recently around Lima and in the jungle.
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| This is a Harris Hawk, waiting in a tree near us to snatch up any other tasty birds that happen by. Harris Hawks range from the tip of South America all the way up to Alaska. |
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| One of our favorites are the Saffron Finches. These birds are abundant here in Lima, and they are always in pairs with their mate. |
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| This Amazilia Hummingbird is one of many that live throughout Peru. Getting them to hold still for a picture is a real challenge. |
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| The Blue-Grey Tanager lives in the jungle and also here on the coast. |
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| It's hard to believe how many beautiful birds (like this Blue-Grey Tanager) live here in Peru. |
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| This bird is the Social Flycatcher that lives in the jungle regions. I took this photo on our last trip to Iquitos two weeks ago. |
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| This jungle bird is a Festive Parrot, and I took the photo on a sidewalk in Iquitos. Some people capture wild parrots like this one in the jungle, then clip their flight feathers to keep them around for pets. Unfortunately, if a cat comes around, this poor parrot will have no means of escape. |
And so we return to the office this week to continue our work on the project to ship goods for starting home businesses for the many starving Venezuelans who are suffering in that country. Their current dictator 'won' another term in office last weekend by paying everyone who voted for him in this rigged election. We will likely be working on this Venezuelan project until the end of our mission (which is now less than two months away).
I'm glad you're hopeful for the new wheelchair management! You've worked a lot with them. And that's so interesting that everyone checks their cell phones for earthquake info. I've never felt a big earthquake.
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