2005

Building a Future in Peru
By Hank Chardos, Executive Director and Founder
 
Tuesday, August 2nd is the departure date for ten Home Works volunteers to travel to Zorritos, Peru. This will be the fifth year that Home works volunteers have traveled to assist Monsignor Don Gorski. Literally tons of vitamin eyeglasses and rosaries have been transported via the travelers. But the trip represents more than transporting goods. It is a mission of hope.
 
Last year witnessed one such sing of hope for the first time Peruvian men worked elbow to elbow with Home Works volunteers repairing and building homes. The effort enabled me to be gainfully employed while repairing and building homes for fellow Peruvians. So this year, in addition to soliciting children an adult multi-vitamins, eye glasses and rosaries, Home Works will strive to empower Peruvian men and women to repair and build homes not only during the time Home Works volunteers are in Peru but afterwards!
 
Funds are needed to purchase needed tools and equipment in Peru where the US dollar is very strong. The tools and equipment will replace the sardine can used to dig holes and the dull handsaw to cut building materials. What a tangible sign of hope in a region that is devastated by unemployment and not only substandard housing but in many situations no housing at all.
 
There is another sign of hope that Home Works volunteers need help – purchasing playground equipment. No such structure exists for children to be children. Children play in the sandy dirt unaware that such playground equipment can be a haven for fun and bruised knees.
 
An estimate of the cost of such items is $4,000 for tools and equipment and $1,500 for playground equipment.
 
There are still slots available for volunteers who wish to travel to Zorritos from August 2nd to August 14th. Travelers must have participated on a Home Works one-day or weeklong work session and be at least 17 years old. There is a balance on gender and age with 50 percent adults and 50 percent 17 to 25 years olds.
Please consider supporting the mission tri of hope to Zorritos, Peru. Only funds that are so designated are applied toward the efforts in Zorritos.