News from Iquitos, Peru!

Letter to our partners

By Gina Low

For me, what has changed since the terrible events of September 11, 2001 is that I am paying more attention to those things that are really important in my life. I am thankful that in September Pablo and I were able to spend several days with each of my children and to hold my first grandchild for the first time. What a blessing!

Back in Peru since early October, Pablo and I feel far away from terrorist threats and the news of war but we continue to take stock and focus on the important things in our lives - our family, Pablo's children especially, and the villagers, some of whom we have had a close relationship with for many years. We are blessed to be part of the lives of these people, steadfast in their commitment to work together for the benefit of their communities. For your visits and gifts to APECA, which make this fulfilling work possible, we are most grateful.

Some 15 villages are active in this partnership called APECA. Here is an example of how it works. Last February we attended a community leadership meeting in Nuevo Progreso. As we were leaving, the new medical technician asked us to look at the problem in the water collection system for the "posta medica". With no well, the villages collect their water from the Amazon river. Could APECA help the community find a way to have clean drinking water?

Later that month when APECA/UConn Dental Campaign was in the village one of the preceptors took time to look at the problem. Back home he took the initiative to raise money through the Rotary Club of East Hartford, Connecticut, for a rainwater catchment system at the "posta medica". Using materials purchased and transported by APECA and assisted by Pablo Guerra, community volunteers built the catchment system. Now, collected rainwater is stored and treated, providing a source of safe, clean drinking water.

You too are a partner with APECA. This clean water project was an outgrowth of the "Guardianes de salud" leadership training program that you and others funded in 1999 and 2000. Your gifts today will support village-based health and education projects that:

• Collaborate with governmental agencies for delivery of services to remote villages.
• Use appropriate technology and can be sustained by the villagers themselves, and
• increase the capacity of a village to meet its own needs in ways that sustain the biodiversity of the rainforest.

Please make a sustaining gift to this important partnership with villages in Amazonian Peru. APECA is a 501(c)(3) organization; contributions from the USA are tax deductible under IRS regulations.

Thank you very much,

Regina Low.