Forbes and I are running the 5k Supernova Kelpies on Sat 12th Nov, to raise funding for a community project in Usabamba, a village high in the Andes of Peru. We are hoping that you are able to support this very worthwhile cause, through sponsoring our run.
As part of an excellent program run by Crooked Trails, in May of this year I was very fortunate to join a fantastic team, experiencing and supporting community projects in Peru. In Usabamba, we were openly welcomed by the locals in the village, who were incredibly happy and resilient despite the poverty and daily challenges they faced. They expressed deep gratitude for our being present and helping build a smokeless oven for two families. We hope that you may be able to contribute to accelerating the installation of further smokeless ovens in the village, through your generous donations.
The adobe homes, have simple, old, dirty and inefficient ovens and are completely lacking in ventilation. These ovens have been in use for such a long period of time, there are 10'' long stalactites of soot hanging from the ceiling. With the installation of a smokeless oven, the ventilation pipe allows the smoke to escape up and out through a chimney, and not linger in the homes and lungs of the people. The ovens also have a secondary purpose of heating the room, and a water container, providing warm water to wash hands and food; previously unheard of in this village. Costs for each smokeless oven $200-$300; Forbes and I are hoping we can generate funding for two.
PS. For those of you that know him, it will come as no surprise to hear that Scott has plans for tiered sponsorship, to encourage Forbes and I to each achieve our personal best during the 5k run! Perhaps his commercial acumen is stretching slightly too far beyond the boundaries of the day job. Nonetheless Scott’s generosity is heartwarming ….. and fortunately I have the benefit of learnings from a strategic negotiations course to secure the best outcome! Jx