Hope

When we entered the town and drove down the dirt streets of Lima’s desert, through narrow paths, between cardboard houses, and to homes that were built overnight on an invaded landfill; I was in disbelief. How can a government let its people live like this? Hundreds of thousands of people live in the shantytowns of Lima. My American mindset screamed to me the unfairness of the situation. Why isn’t something being done to improve their lives? When the bus pulled around the corner of the newly built module on which we will be working, and dozens of children and their parents held welcome and thank you signs, however, the farthest emotion from what I felt at that moment was despair. I have never felt as hopeful as when those small children looked at us with Cheshire cat smiles and small waving hands.
Fifty percent of the children living in extreme poverty, like these, in Lima will die before they reach the age of three. Eighty percent of children in these conditions die before the age of seven. But here we are looking to the future, a brighter future, and it is hopeful.
The mothers were quite an inspiration as well. They were beaming and dedicated to that hopeful future. We met to ask the mothers what they wanted us to do, and in addition to painting the module for the nursery, they hoped we would help build a bathroom for the school and a wall around the area to keep out cars, stray animals, and trespassers up to no good. We did not plan on making the bathroom, but we will find a way, and minutes after the conclusion of the meeting, the women began building the wall. Innovative and resourceful, they grabbed whatever materials lay nearby and had a fourth of the wall constructed in an hour. As for the colors to paint the nursery, they asked for colores alegres—happy colors. We will be purchasing chartreuse and blue paint to match the teacher’s apron.
I put up this picture of this beautiful little boy, but please do not feel sorry for him and his small friends. Look in his eyes and see his future. Have hope because that is what is carrying them. They are so loved and deserve our confidence in their futures.
When asked what Lima’s biggest problem is, our guest speaker tonight, Manuel Zubiate, told us it is faith. The people of Lima need to believe that their situations can change, feel that they can contribute to that change and have faith in politicians who will make the right decisions. After visiting the shanty town and seeing people who are truly working together with all they have to better their lives and the lives of their children, I feel I have seen the best and most hopeful side of human nature.

Erin Gesell: BA Creative Writing