HomeWorks

By Hank Chardos, Executive Director and Founder

 

Returning to Zorritos, Peru is difficult to convey in words. Last summer in August represented the third trip by Home Works volunteers to assist Father Don Gorski and his efforts to care for some 30,000 Peruvians. Six volunteers from Home Works experienced many special moments, special in differing ways.

 

An alarm clock was not needed, for each morning before the crack of dawn, men, women and children would assemble to receive bananas and bread. The sound of their voices would signal another day. Home Works volunteers helped in the distribution of bananas a bread while also chatting with those who came for possibly the only food they would eat in one or two days.

 

The Peruvians that Father Gorski ministers to live throughout a vast geographic area. One such are is in a desert-like region referred to as "El Campo". The trusty Toyota four-wheel drive was packed with passengers like the Volkswagen beetle at the circus. The trip took hours to travel over rough terrain while in constant bumpy motion. The destination was a remote village where a small church was located. Father Gorski administered to the spiritual needs of those in the area. Joy and hope could easily be seen in the eyes of those Father visited. In spite of their poverty, a feast had been prepared to share with Father, the Home Works volunteers and the band of alter boys that accompanied Father.

 

Esther and her husband have seven children. Esther is a loving mom who frequently comes for bananas and bread with some of her children in the morning. Her home was quite a distance from church. The incredible aspect of her home was this it consisted of large tree branches positioned in the ground with torn plastic and rags functioning as walls. No roof existed to cover the bare ground inside their home. In truly a remarkable endeavor, Home Works volunteers teamed up with Pancho, Father's "fix-it-man" and altar boys to build a home for Esther and her family. Holes for timber were dug by hand with the usage of sharp rocks, measuring 10'x35', witnessed another Home Works project. But it was more than a project, through the efforts of Home Works volunteers and boys in the community, led by Pancho, a message of hope was conveyed. The altar boys in particular helped a family who's home was probably as substandard as their own. Yet the boys came to help.

 

Another trip is scheduled to Zorritos, Peru this summer, August 5^th through 17^th, 2003. Donations of vitamins and eyeglasses will be collected for this trip.