The Casa Girasoles Urubamba team have a bonfire on a clear early winter night.
“Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people. “Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people. “Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people.
Celebrations
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneToday is Peru’s Independence Day, Fiestas Patrias. It’s a big deal. In any other time, under “normal” circumstances – the entire country is a celebration. A celebration that lasts for days. It’s awesome.
Times are tough enough without having a little celebration. That is why we had a Fiestas Patrias celebration – virtual – for the Casa Girasoles yesterday. It was a chance to celebrate the culture and passion of the boys – and allow them to connect with one another in a fun, safe manner. Through the power of Zoom (how many of us thought Zoom would be so important in our lives and work just 6-months ago?) we set up cameras at the homes in Urubamba and Ica and held friendly competitions for dance and games. We invited a few of our supporters and staff to join and had our own Fiestas Patrias – COVID-style. It was great. Check it out at: Fiestas Patrias Casa Girasoles
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The Songs Remain the Same
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneThis process has been really good. A bit on the painful side – but incredibly helpful to the quality of our efforts. Prior to the global challenge – we were an organization with a number of different moving parts. In fact, it was sometimes hard for people to fully understand the “who” and “what” of Health Bridges. Now, more than at any other time in our history – it feels like the “who, what and why” of HBI are fully aligned.
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Perspectives
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneBoys at the Casa Girasoles Ica enjoying chocolates they made as a group activity.
Sometimes it just takes a little perspective.
A few weeks back, in response to a pressing need we were witnessing in the older boys who graduated from the Casa Girasoles Program, and were struggling in the pandemic, we started the Tigre Program. The program works with young men transitioning from adolescence and early adulthood into a new phase of their life. Sometimes this is a transition from prison, sometimes it is a transition from a life filled with poor decisions – for most it is a challenging time in their life. One of the young men in the program asked if we could help him connect with books. He asked for the classics. He wanted, more than anything else, to learn and grow.
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This is Really Hard
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneThe Casa Girasoles Urubamba team have a bonfire on a clear early winter night.
“Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people. “Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people. “Nothing good in life comes easy. All the best things are hard. If they weren’t – everyone who have them and no one would want them.”
My father repeated this statement to me throughout my childhood. It became a mantra. I built my entire life around the pursuit of this message. Sometimes, with limited success.
Now, in this time of great uncertainty and many unknows – it’s become a sort of meditation. It has helped me to recognize the importance of the work we are doing and the power of staying the course – in spite of the challenges or complexity.
We have daily Zoom meetings with our team on the ground in Perú. The meetings range from updates and reports on projects and programs to informal mental health support. Over the past weeks the tone of the meetings has shifted. Everyone is tired. The strain of the past 100+ days is weighing heavy. And, it is becoming more and more evident – the hardest part of our work is getting harder. We know this. We expect this. It does not, however, make it any less challenging.
One thing does help to ease the burden and strain – working in collaboration. It’s knowing our work is connected to partnerships and a network of collaborative organizations. It’s knowing we are building upon one another’s efforts. This is a great comfort to our team. There are times on our Zoom meetings when we feel the strain – and then remember the folks who are in the trenches of this work with us. We remember, we’re not alone.
We help to teach a Global Health course for American College of Education (Indianapolis, IN), that brings together nursing students from the U.S. and Perú in a virtual learning space. Last night we brought together a group of nursing students from a university in the city of Arequipa. They’re bright, passionate people who participate in the course to expand their knowledge and connect with colleagues from different countries. All the students are currently working in hospitals or clinics. They’re on the front lines of delivering care in one of the worst COVID hotspots in Latin America. They’re courageous young people who are doing amazing things. Hard things.
Last night while on the Hollywood Squares of our Zoom meeting, I realized what a profound privilege it is to be in partnership with these amazing people. Here they are – literally caring for people dying from the complications of the virus, and they seek the connection.
Yes, nothing good in life is easy . . . however, it is so much more fulfilling to be doing this incredibly hard work with a team of dedicated, passionate people.
We Build Bridges
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneYesterday we received a WhatsApp message from a partner in the city of Ica. She was working at the local hospital and noticed a man living in a tent on the grounds. She asked about the situation and found out the man is from Venezuela He was recently diagnosed with a terminal cancer. He’s been living in the experience of homelessness since the pandemic started. A few weeks back, the hospital allowed him to set-up a tent on their property. They’ve been helping with food.
He told our partner he wants to go back to Venezuela to die. She reached out to us to see if we could help. Immediately our team connected with partners in immigration advocacy, Venezuelan rights and support groups. We also provided the money to help rent an apartment and link the gentlemen into care.
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Making a Shift
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneThere were big celebrations at the Casa Girasoles in Ica and Urubamba. The boys planned a full docket of events to celebrate the house fathers . . . and their own biological fathers. Although many of them have little contact with their fathers, they still celebrate the contribution a father made in their lives. It is a touching sentiment by children whose lives have been marked by such trauma and challenge. Read more
We Can’t Forget
/0 Comments/in Blog, COVID-19 /by Wayne CentroneWhat now feels like a lifetime ago, January to be precise, I met a man in a small community in the high mountains outside of the Sacred Valley of Cusco. His case and life circumstances are complicated. I wrote a blog post about our encounter in February that captures a bit of the detail.
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The New Normal
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneThe COVID-19 pandemic has had big implications all over the world. This is especially true in Latin America, now considered the hot bed of infections. In addition to the alarming rise in cases in countries like Brazil, Perú, and Venezuela – there has been a devastating impact from the pandemic on people living in the experience of poverty.
The economies of many Latin American nations, with formal and informal sectors, have been badly hit. This is especially true in Perú, where it is estimated 70% of the total population work in the informal economy. If you work – you get paid and eat. If you don’t – you have no money and you and your family go hungry.
When President Martin Vizcarra declared a national state of emergency on March 15, and the country closed their borders – and there was a collective sense that we’d be back to normal in a few weeks. I was in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of Cusco at our Casa Girasoles, and I distinctly remember sitting down with our team and saying – “things are going to change. They’re going to change a lot. We’ve got to be prepared.” Little did I know. Read more
Unsettled
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneUnsettled.
Everything feels unsettled.
Deeply unsettled.
The world is going through so much pain. The COVID pandemic has pushed our already exhausted stress hormones to the max. The terrible crimes of injustice brought against people of color have forced every one of us to name our bias, prejudice and complicity.
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Celebrating the Connections
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Wayne CentroneThis is particularly true for Latin America. As North America and the European Union (including our friends in the U.K.) move from the initial “shock and awe” phase of the pandemic – our colleagues, partners, friends, loved ones, and families in Latin America are feeling the full brunt of SARS-COv-2 and Covid-19. Perú has extended the state of emergency and obligatory quarantine until June 30 – and Brazil, Venezuela and Chile struggle to contain the pandemic and the devastating economic impacts.
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