A few weeks ago i took on the administrative position of project manager, which has kept me particularly busy in the office as well as out on site. Things are settling down a little bit now i have my head around it, but there are still many exciting things to learn that will keep me busy long into the nights after work. The position of project manager is one that i'm very excited to take on board, and one that will see me really have a positive impact on the future direction of Pisco Sin Fronteras. Working alongside the director, i am now responsible for coordinating the daily projects for all the volunteers and ensuring that everyone is supported and working productively in their projects. As well as managing the volunteers i also have the coordinating responsibility of finding the next projects and doing the background research to get new projects up and running. This means taking applications from new families/communities for help, conducting site assessment to check the requests, organising materials and budgets and deciding whether certain projects are in line with the current vision and mission of Pisco Sin Fronteras.
Apart from the new responsibilities as project manager i have also been involved in many other exciting projects in the last week weeks. A huge community project that has taken a lot of my time has been a new park a few blocks away from the volunteer house.
Mid way through March PSF started work
on a park like no other that has been completed in PSF's history.
Through the hard work and constant perseverance from the
administration at PSF and at the Municipality of Pisco, PSF was able to secure
some land in the district of Vista Alegre, San Pedro to build an
enormous community based project. In conjunction with a lot of
planning, and contributions of ideas from all volunteers, PSF has
seen the development of Plaza del Parque sky rocket in the last three
weeks. With a total land area of roughly 2300 square meters to work
with, PSF has been carefully sketching out the plans to help maximise
the space to best meet the needs of the local community. After
researching what the community are after we factored many exciting
projects into Plaza del Parque that are going to see this project run
for at least the next couple of months.
It started off with marking out and
preparing the site, and then straight after it getting stuck into the
beginning stages. Stage one was pouring a 6m X 8m concrete slab to
place a community centre modular on. This modular will be used in the
future, in cooperation with the municipality, to run a program
similar to 'Vaso de Leche' where the government provides employment
and resources for a team to give out free milk and bread to children
around the area. As well as constructing this modular a team of
volunteers came through and designed some amazing murals to go on the
modular and wall behind it, which is a truly spectacular showcase to
the community with tradition cultural creations making the basis of
the design.
While this was all going ahead many
other things have started, and also been completed in the process. A
big shade area with 4 picnic benches, made solely from recycled wood,
now sit outside the community centre as a place that the community
and children to sit and enjoy the park. Right next to the shade we
made a volleyball pitch with sand from the local Pisco beach, which
is regularly used everyday and afternoon that we are working in the
park. These are some of the completed projects that are already up
and running in the park and being utilised all the time.
At the moment an enormous playground is
underway. There are currently 2 swings, two see-saws and the
beginning stages of some grand platforms connected with bridges,
ladders, poles and all sorts of fun things to keep the local kids
amused and out interacting in the community.
In the next couple of months this park
will continue to grow with more work going into the playground, an
adult/adolescent fitness station area, more shade areas and a plaza
area for everyone to enjoy as a public space to rest, relax and
socialise. Something for everyone! Build it and they will come! That
is the motto! Everyday we chip away a little more at the park, and
everyday we see more kids, more families enjoying the space and more
friendly smiles from the community members.
In my next update i will fill you in with the earthbag construction that has been underway and also the community development projects that we are steadily implementing such as; compost toilets and the educational programs that are running.
Take care and i hope this email finds you all happy and healthy. Don't forget to spread the word!
Go on, Julza!
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