| Climate:
Horno Ckasa is located in a valley of the
eastern Andean Highlands at an altitude around 8500 feet. The temperature
year round ranges from 40°F to 75°F.
Work:
Families in these areas make their living
through a number of different types of jobs. Men work mostly in
construction or mechanical jobs, often with the government for contracted
periods of time. A cement factory provides some employment. Women
typically work in the markets selling food or various other things
in small kiosks. Children also work in the markets and in the streets
selling things like candy and gum. Many young boys work as shoe
shiners. Many families also keep animals to help provide food to
eat.
Food:
Horno Ckasa has direct access to the city
of Sucre. Virtually everything is available, but due to low incomes,
staple diets tend to include mostly foods such as potatoes, rice,
and, occasionally, meat such as pork or chicken.
Livestock:
Goats, sheep, cows, pigs, dogs, chickens,
other domestic animals.
Typical
housing:
Homes are made of either brick, adobe, stone,
or cement. Many of the
families in the area include an extra living space that
can be rented
out to provide extra income. The normal home has two rooms: one
for cooking in and the other for sleeping. Houses are stacked closely
together in most areas.
Water:
In one section of Horno Ckasa there is a cistern
that provides water for about a quarter of the people. In the others,
there isn't a ready water source available. Water is delivered by
truck to the community in barrels.
Electricity:
Approximately 60% of the population has electricity.
It's available throughout the zone, but low incomes make it difficult
for some families to come up with the monthly payment.
Sewage:
Sewage is a major issue in the community.
There is an old system still functioning which is partly open air.
Children and animals walk through the area. Houses are built right
next to the area. There is a project currently underway to address
this issue.
Churches:
There is only one church in Horno Ckasa. The
church is an Assemblies of God Church. Catholicism is the most common
faith.
Schools:
In Horno Ckasa B there is a school from 1st
grade through 11th grade. Students from this zone travel to Horno
Ckasa A for their final year of high school. Due to the number of
students, the Horno Ckasa A school is divided into two sessions.
Half the students attend classes during the morning and the other
half go in the afternoon.
Health
problems:
There is no health post in either zone. Both
communities have listed a health post as one of their top priorities.
Health problems generally come from unhealthy living conditions
(nearby sewer and waste). Skin conditions are common due to the
cold and a lack of hygiene. The common cold and flu are also prevalent.
Biggest
hurdles to overcome:
One of the defining marks of the zones is
the amount of trash scattered around. There is no trash pick up
and no means of disposing of garbage aside from burning it or scattering
it. Many people dump their trash in the open sewer area adding to
the health risks already existant.
A
lack of latrines and water piped into homes is another issue. A
government project to provide this was started at one point and
then stopped as money for the project ran out. Being a marginalized
area, Horno Ckasa is often overlooked by the government.
Many,
if not most of the residents are renting their homes or rooms. This
takes a big amount of money out of an income and creates an unhealthy
cycle.
Alcoholism
and abuse are rampant.
Children
are not encouraged to attend school and often leave school very
early to begin selling things in the market.
Best aspects:
Families and leaders are very receptive to
FHI's ideas for improving their communities. Perhaps due to the
margianalization they've received from the government, having someone
come in and take special interest in the communities has been met
with a very positive outlook.
Leaders,
particularly, are motivated to initiate change in their communities.
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