The Village of Carrizo Bajo

Carrizo Bajo is the first village we have visited in the Mochumi District. We actually visited two pronoeis this morning, the second being in the village of Huaca Quemada. Both are on the Mochumi District map. We need to get a little more information about Huaca Quemada before agreeing to try to help them, but Carrizo Bajo in our view certainly qualifies as a Promesa Peru project.

In English carrizo means reed. In Peru these reeds are very thick, up to one inch in diameter and when peeled and dried are used to construct fences and as interior support for mud walls. Bajo means below which implies that there should be a village named Carrizo Alto (above) but if so it is not on the map.

Carrizo Bajo is one of those villages where the houses are widely scattered, making it impossible to take a photo of the village. There are about 200 people living here. The economic base is a repeat of all other villages in northern Peru...men and often women working in farm fields for absentee landlords.

The pronoei 'Corazon De Maria' (Mary's heart) is a modular building constructed by the district government over four years ago. It is in surprisingly good condition for that age (these pre-fabs are flimsy and without constant attention don't last long), which usually indicates an active parents's association. It also indicates a strong lobbying effort to get it constructed in the first place.

Carmen Salazar has fifteen students though only eleven were present today. Carmen is young but has four years of experience teaching at pronoeis. This is her first year at Corazon De Maria. She has an easy going personality and seems to have a good rapport with the kids who are also quiet, perhaps having taken on their teachers personality.

That the classroom has needs is obvious. We feel that a whiteboard ($53), two storage shelves ($50), four tables ($111) and sixteen chairs ($247) would furnish this classroom nicely. Another $40 for transportation brings the total to $501.

Maria in the turquoise blouse is the village president, and is also president of the vaso de leche (glass of milk) program. She says she knows a carpenter who may be able to make the furniture for less money. We will wait to hear from her before placing an order. The woman in the pink blouse is Maribel's sister Magaly,  who sometimes helps us with projects.

When the Los Bances project is completed (the furniture is supposed to be ready April 21) we will have approximately $200 remaining to use for the Carrizo Bajo project. We're going to need another $300 to finish it. If you can help us please visit the Promesa Peru webpage to donate. Thank you.