The Trust held a conference call recently with the local Committee in Piura. The Treasurer, Carmen Ruth Palma could not participate as she had suffered a knee injury. Anita Mollet, who for many years acted as the Trust’s local representative, no longer joins these calls, but we are advised that she is well and still advising the Committee.

The Committee are concerned by the economic and political situation in Perú, particularly inflation that is estimated at around 6.5% per year. They tell us that prices are increasing fastest in food and other essentials, and this is triggering requests for pay rises across many industries. The Home is no exception. They have received a request from the staff for a substantial pay rise but have resisted so far. They addressed the demands by making a one-off payment to all staff in April. They recognise that there is a growing risk that they will lose good staff who will be difficult to replace. As an example, they mentioned that one of their best therapists resigned for a better paid job.

To make matters more difficult, another of the therapists had been diagnosed with cancer and will be away from work while she goes under chemotherapy. The Home has taken on a temporary replacement to ensure that care of the residents is not affected. 

El Niño continues to cause regular flood damage in Northern Perú, and the region is suffering collateral effects with outbreaks of dengue and other diseases. Seven of the residents and some members of staff had caught dengue: All had recovered.

Two residents had been removed from the Home by their families. The Committee suspect that the reason is the usual one: Families with disabled children at home are paid a small amount by the government, and given the economic situation some may see this as a way of improving their income.

The Home had been in need of investment in new equipment, both domestic and medical. The Committee has made good progress, replacing the old washing machine and buying solar heaters, medical mattresses, orthopaedic footwear and security cameras amongst other items. The hoist, for lifting immobile residents from bed, has been modified from manual to electric. The Trust had offered to help with these investments, but in the event, everything was funded locally. Investment is now needed on the building, especially the roof. The Committee is obtaining proposals and a budget and, once again, the Trust has offered additional funding for this, if required.

At the date of the call, the Committee was coming to the end of its two-year mandate and needed to call a general meeting to elect new officers. They had identified two candidates and still needed two more to fill the four required positions. Once the new Committee is in place, the Trust will discuss with them any need for further financial support to deal with the staff pay question and building maintenance.