Settling In – wayne centrone

The Girasoles Sanos Cycling Team competed in their first race of the season today!

Thanks for all the messages. Many of you have expressed concern about what is happening in Peru. You have also been incredibly generous with your contributions. Thank you.

It is hard to name the current political and social climate in Peru. The unrest and civil dissent have settled into an almost routine. While much of the country’s roadways are clear of blockades, protestors still disrupt daily life in the southern regions, and the impact of the COVID pandemic, rising inflation, and political unrest are pushing thousands of people deeper into poverty. Peru is now the most “food insecure” country in Latin America – with more than half the population finding themselves “without regular access to enough safe and nutritious food.”

Things are far from “business as usual” – as the economic forecast continues to look grim and the country enters yet another month of record inflation with no end in sight. Many believe the only way forward for Peru is a radical change in the lagging social gap most of the country experiences. But how? 

How can Peru – a country that nearly went bankrupt during the economic stagnation of the Shinning Path 1980s – close the profound social and economic fissures that fracture the country? The real work is settling in and taking a long-range approach to change, which is what we are doing. 

The work of Health Bridges is a long game. It is always more critical than short-term challenges. Since we started this journey nearly 30 years ago, we’ve known that we would work for future generations of change. That is not to say we have lost focus on the here and now. No – we are still very committed to helping bring health, hope, home, and purpose to children, youth, young adults, and families who have lived through trauma and adverse experiences. 

We are committed to settling in – for Diego, who lives in the Casa Girasoles of today, and Juan, for whom we can help prevent ever living in a residential care facility by working with his family before he is abandoned. We are committed to developing best practices and evidence-supported training that help health professionals save babies’ lives at birth. Our commitment – our work – is for all the children of Peru, and we are settled in for the long haul. 

Stay connected! #BetheBridge