The town of Pisco

Pisco is a coastal town in Peru, South America.

On the 15th August 2007 a massive earthquake
destroyed over 80% of the homes, killing around
600 people. Today, over 2 years after the
disaster, there are still many people without
adequate housing and sanitation. Large numbers
of people are still living in makeshift tents and
shelters or squatting, after their homes were
destroyed in the earthquake.

Pisco Sin Fronteras

Pisco Sin Fronteras (PSF) is a small non-profit organisation which was founded in August
2008 on the first year anniversary of the massive earthquake which devastated the city of
Pisco. PSF gives assistance to the people who need it most by helping to build houses,
schools, sanitation units and helping with other community-based projects. It is a fully
voluntary organisation which receives no government funds. We are supported entirely by
donations, fund raising and volunteering.

Unfortunately the amount of aid and help available to the people of Pisco has declined in the
last 12 months due to the extraction of Non Government Organisations (NGO´s), leaving
many people with no way of providing their family with adequate housing and respectable
living conditions. Besides the obvious primary impact of the earthquake, Pisco is now facing
the subsequent social and economic problems an event of this scale creates, such as high
crime and unemployment.

The current need for aid is as high as ever.

A large percentage of PSF’s work involves providing cost free labour for those families who
can afford the materials but not the labour. In order to help those families who can not afford
their own materials and those most in need, PSF relies on money from fundraising and
donations to buy the materials.

Currently there are many families living in small makeshift shelters built from scrap materials,
esterra (crushed bamboo) and plastic. The quality of the materials is poor, leaving the families
vulnerable, with poor protection and security. They are normally built directly on dirt floors,
therefore families are forced to live in constant dust and dirt. Along with the poor sanitation
this leads to disease and poor health, especially among young children.

How you can help

Nearly everyone in Pisco needs help. At the most basic level this involves getting people out
of tents and makeshift shelters and into more substantial housing and providing adequate
sanitation.

One example that shows just how little an amount of money can help is the building of a
modular house:
 For less than 400 pounds a modular (wooden) house can be provided on a solid
concrete floor, allowing families comfort, security and better sanitation. The cost
breakdown is shown on the next page, showing just how small a donation can help:
Unit Cost
Total British
Materials Materials (breakdown) (Peruvian Qty
Cost Pounds
Soles)
Modular House, Pre-Fabricated,
Delivered & Installed
Dwelling Unit, 3x5 meters in size 1600 1 1600 320
Windows and Doorknobs 40 1 40 8
Concrete Floor for Modular House
Cement 42.5kg Bags 18 7 126 25.2
Labour to Mix and Pour (Volunteers!) 0 0 0 0
Use of Cement Mixer (PSF Provides) 0 0 0 0
Aggregate Mix (Cubic Meters) 45 2.5 112.5 22.5
Fuel for Cement Mixer 10 1 10 2
Total Materials Cost: 1888.5 377.7

As we, PSF, provide all the labour needed for the preparation and construction of the concrete
foundation, and the company that provides the modular house also provides a skilled local
worker needed for safe assembly. Therefore all the money donated goes directly to providing
for those in real need.

Donations

We, Eddie and Alice, are hoping to raise some money in order to set up our own project to
help a family (or families, depending on how much we raise) in need. The amount of money
we raise will determine what exactly we spend it on, whether it be providing a family with
housing, better sanitation or helping provide for a school. Once we know how much we have
raised we will assess where the money can be of most help and will update those who have
donated on the details and progress of our project. We hope to have raised the money by the
New Year (2010) and to be in Peru to see the project through.

Unfortunately due to various (legitimate) reasons, PSF does not have its own bank account at
the present moment. This means that any donations have to go via our personal bank
account so that we can withdraw the money here in Peru. This is much easier for us than
going through the PSF website (www.piscosinfronteras.org) donation option that sends the
money to a contact in the USA which is a very lengthy process.

Therefore in order to donate either:

1. Email: ed2_k@hotmail.com and we will reply with information on donating

straight into our bank account.

2. Send a check made out to ´Edward Kelly´ to 10 Belvoir Road, Cambridge,

CB4 1JJ, England. Please enclose a note with your contact information and
name.
3. If the best way for you to donate is via the PSF website then make sure to you
make a note saying the money is to go to ´Alice and Eddie Miracle Fund´.
With all donations please email us (ed2_k@hotmail.com) when you have donated so we can
keep track on all the much needed donations and keep you updated on the progress of the
project(s). If you have any questions please email us.

The people that need your help

Following are examples of the residents of Pisco that need your help. A
volunteer has approached each family and assessed their needs based
on several criteria. It is important to note that the money raised will go
to helping those in real need, but not necessarily the examples in this
handout.

Name: Erica Date of

assessment: 04/05/09

Background information: A fisherman and family of 5 people (Husband, 35; wife, 28;
grandmother, 52; two children 8 and 4 years old). They lived in a typical, poorly
constructed adobe (poor quality and cheap bricks) house, but it was destroyed by the
earthquake and no longer stands.

Current living conditions: They live in a tent at the same site as their destroyed
house. There are no hygienic toilet facilities; a bucket in the corner of the tent is all they
have. Drinking water has to be boiled and there is no electricity.

What they need: To clear/demolish the current area in which they live. Construct a
modular house providing protection, security and better sanitation for the family.
Provide proper toilet facilities.

Name: Maria Date of assessment: 03/05/09

Background Information: Maria has 6 children. Maria’s 7 year old has a hernia but
they don’t have the necessary money for the surgery. Her husband is a builder but is
currently unemployed. He used to work as a caretaker but the wage was too low.

Current living conditions: They are currently living in a plastic and bamboo shack
which is based on a dirt floor. The home has no toilet facility and all 8 members of the
family are sharing 2 mattresses.

What they need: A modular house to provide better sanitation and security for the
family. Toilet facilities also required.

Name: Rosa Date of assessment: 03/05/09

Background Information: Woman and husband with 4 children. Husband is a

mototaxi driver. The family lives in a village on the outskirts of Pisco. The youngest
child is 5 months old and is suffering from bronchitis and isn’t recovering due to the
family’s bad living conditions.

Current living conditions: The family’s home is made of esterra (crushed bamboo
sheets) and plastic. The house is surrounded by rubbish and faeces. The home has
one large bed in which all 6 members of the family sleep. The village is located on a hill
which tends to be very breezy at night. This is jeopardizing the baby´s health.

What they need: A modular home, allowing a clean environment, better shelter from
the weather and better protection for the family.