THE EARTHQUAKE
On August 15th 2007 a powerful earthquake shook Peru, killing at least 1,000 people and leaving another 1,350 injured. In the hard-hit port city of Pisco a cathedral was destroyed while some 300 people were inside attending mass. Another 26 people, many of them patients in their beds, were killed when part of a hospital in Pisco collapsed. In addition to the killed and injured, more than 16,500 people have been displaced or otherwise affected by the quake.
The hardest hit areas were south of Lima in the Ica, Chincha and Pisco regions. The earthquake, whose magnitude was variously estimated at 7.7 to 7.9 on the Richter scale, was centered off Peru's Pacific shore near Ica. Pisco, Ica and Chincha are now completely destroyed; the cities are without electricity and hundreds of families are sleeping on the streets outside their ruined homes. Volunteers are needed to work with displaced families that have lost everything in the disaster.
PROJECT LOCATION
The projects are located in the cities of Ica and Chincha, to the south of the capital. Ica is a town of about 200,000 approximately 300km south of Lima. It is the traditional source of Peruvian brandy known as Pisco. It is also an important agricultural region known for its grape, cotton and olive production.
Chincha, or Chincha Alta as it is also known, lies 200 km south of Lima. This town of about 177,000 is known in Peru as the cradle of Afro-Peruvian folk culture. Within Peru it is considered unique for it’s African influenced food, music, culture and dance.
95% of the city was destroyed in both locations.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 1: THE CHILDREN
In this capacity you will be working with mothers and young children under the age of 5 that have lost everything in the earthquake. These are victims that have been left without food, clothing, shelter or services. The victims are currently living in tents or in some cases surviving on the streets.
Volunteers will be providing meals, clothing and activities to approximately 40 children and support to the families that must focus on the rebuilding effort. With the older children volunteers will be asked to organize educational activities such as crafts and games.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 2: THE BUILDINGS
There were approximately 10,000 houses destroyed around Chincha and Ica and volunteers are needed to
help rebuild as many as possible for local families.
The work will include various tasks such as helping to
load bricks and mixing cement, demolishing the last houses and schools before they can be rebuilt, removing rubble and digging foundations for new houses.
