We met with our adopted families yesterday after clinic and visited their homes. They are both farming families and the church here has a couple of programs they can participate in. One is a loan program where people from the US loan money to these farmers interest free. Generally it's $1000. The farmers then pay to lease ground and water rights and buy their grain to plant. It's riskier because weather or disease can wipe out your crops, but the reward potential is greater than just working on someone else's land. Usually they are successful and can pay back their loans. Most families of four live on about $300 per year.
One of our families has six kids and they grow rice and corn. They participate in the loan program. They are one of the few families here that have electricity and they just got it. Yesterday in Mass the priest asked the several hundred people in attendance how many had electricity. Only a few hands went up.
A picture of the kitchen of the home that just received electricity which costs about $8 per month
Their baby hammock
Their front door
In the other family the father works for a land owner which he prefers because he has guaranteed income. He said he gets paid even if the crops bring no money. They don't have electricity, but they have great pride in their home which was very well kept
Their kitchen
Front door
Inside room
I was also struck by a Canadian Vitamin company which recently opened an Omega 3 fish oil factory here. It has made such a difference in these people's lives. Everything here is better than it was two years ago. I've always gotten upset when I hear about American companies taking their jobs over seas. Yesterday changed that for me. There is no comparison in the way these people live compared to how we live. It now seems selfish of me to desire to have all of our factories stay in the US. The people in these third world countries need jobs probably more than we do. The people of Peru are so hard working and never seem to complain. They are incredibly appreciative,proud, and content with their way if life
I know where I will buy my Omega 3 from now on
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