Project Expansion- Trust in Trust, Faith in Faith

I am in the midst of getting ready to return to Peru after three month here in the US raising funds for our project expansion in 8 indigenous rainforest communities throughout the southeastern Peru Amazon.

Its been an interesting time, with deep transformation all around. A new president elect, and a world economy in a major spin, with its direction still ultimately unknown.

When I initially began fund raising for HOTC in 2001 the attack on 9/11 occurred in NYC. Several people that promised us money reneged. Most everyone told me that no one would give to projects outside the US because there was great need in our own country. I forged ahead and raised close 1/2 million dollars over 5 years. I would be lying if I said every now and again I drop into worry about the future --about how I will finance a 3.5 million dollar expansion, but most days, I forge ahead as I have done through the years leading the organization, trusting in trust and having faith in faith that something greater than myself brought me to the middle of the rainforest and to the children, and something far greater than me WILL provide.

If the mean time, I continue to network with global health agencies such as UNICEF and the UN, as well as grant write and hold the highest for the indigenous of Manu. Clean water, sanitation and health education is the birth right of every human beings on this earth. We are confident our expansion funding will arrive!

We also continue to monitor our pilot community Huacaria with tri-yearly technical and health supervision visits. The community is sustaining their water and sanitation system. They have had a few falls, but their recovery each time they fall, gets quicker and quicker. Native cultures are nomadic by nature so becoming accustomed to permanent settlements and fixtures such as water and sanitation systems is taking some time to fully integrate.

The WATER flows clean in Huacaria, and the bathrooms hygienic from the daily maintenance duties of the children. Daily hygiene practices continues (basic hand washing and teeth brushing) by the children continues under the leadership of the teachers throughout the school year and of course by the mothers at home. The water committee monitors chlorine levels in the community every other day, and maintains their gravity flow water system /slow sand filters regularly. Each family continues to meet their monthly quota of $1.00 / 3 soles for maintenance of the infrastructure.

Both children and adults, are moving ahead BEAUTIFULLY. We continue to be so proud of their progress, reminding them, --it not that you fall, its how quickly you fall, realize and get back up that matters!

Huacaria holds the energy for the entire region to shift, so as they arrive at long term sustainability -- there in essence swing the door open wide for the future of the indigenous of Manu. Their results they are achieving now that the project is in their hands fully for two years is EXTREMELY encouraging. However we continue to monitor the effects of our integral health programming upon indigenous rainforest cultures, carefully not making any claims until the people have a few more years of sustainability and project integration!

More to come!

Love and blessings to all!

Nan