Chan Chan–2.Feb.2012

 

Alessandra and I decided to take heed of our archeological side and visit some of the sites. Mainly, we wanted to go see the Huacas del Luna y Sol. We planned to leave around 10AM. That means we left around 11:30. By the time we got to the Plaza de Armas, all the tours for the Huacas del Luna and Sol had already left.

We decided instead to take a tour that visited Huaca del Arco Iris, Chan Chan, and then stopped by Huanchaco.

The shops around the plaza de armas all work for a larger tourist company. They sell the tour, take a commision and then guide you to another companies bus and pay them the rest of the fee. It turns out they over booked our tours. They asked us to wait in a nearby hotel for about 10 minutes. We then joined the tour in a taxi.

When we came to the first Huaca, we were a little late but we did catch some of it.

On the tour we met an english speaking columbian, and lesbian couple, and a Canadian doing a 2 year doctoral study for anthropology in Peru.

Huaca del Arco Iris -  The Dragon Temple.

The Huaca del Dragon , or as it is called, Huaca del Arco Iris is located in the north, on the outskirts of the city of Trujillo and near Chan Chan in Peru .

This is a great monument religious, ceremonial and administrative center built in adobe, whose murals are decorated with friezes in relief showing stylized human figures and representing the rainbow.

While some archaeologists attribute this monument to the Chimu Culture (years 1100-1450), others claim that this shrine was built between 800 and thousand of our era by the Chimu culture .

Chan Chan -

The largest Pre-Columbiancity in South America, Chan Chan is an archaeologicalsite located in the Peruvianregion of La Libertad, five km west of Trujillo.^[1] Chan Chan covers an area of approximately 20 km² and had a dense urban center of about 6 km².^[2] Chan Chan was constructed by theChimor (the kingdom of theChimú), a late intermediate period civilization which grew out of the remnants of theMoche civilization. The vastadobe city of Chan Chan was built by the Chimu around AD 850 and lasted until its conquest by the Inca Empirein AD 1470. It was the imperial capital of the Chimor until it was conquered in the 15th century. It is estimated that around 30,000 people lived in the city of Chan Chan.

Chan Chan was added as aUNESCO World Heritage Sitein 1986. The city is severely threatened by storms from El Niño, which cause heavy rains and flooding on the Peruvian coast. It is in a fertile, well-watered section of the coastal plain.^[3] The city's ruins are additionally threatened by earthquakes and looters. Present-day visitors to Chan Chan can enter the Tschudi Complex, believed to be one of the later citadels built in the city. There are also several other Chimú and Moche ruins in the area around Trujillo. This site was discovered by the ConquistadorFrancisco Pizarro.

The city is composed of ten walled citadels which housed ceremonial rooms, burial chambers, temples, reservoirs and some residences. Chan Chan is a triangular city surrounded by walls 50–60 feet high. A distinguishable aspect of Chan Chan is that there are no enclosures which open to the north. The tallest walls shelter against south-westerly winds from Peru's coast. Northern-facing walls gain the greatest exposure to the sun, serving both to block the wind and absorb sunlight where fog is frequent. The numerous walls throughout the city create a labyrinth of passages.

The walls themselves were constructed ofadobe brick and were then covered with a smooth surface into which intricate designs were carved. There are two styles of design present in these carvings: one is a ‘realistic’ representation of subjects such as birds, fish, and small mammals; and the other is a more graphic, stylized representation of the same subjects. The carvings at Chan Chan depict crabs, turtles, and nets for catching various sea monsters. Chan Chan, unlike most other coastal ruins in Peru, is located extremely close to the Pacific Ocean. In 1998, The "Master Plan for Conservation and Management of the Chan Chan Archeological Complex" is drawn up by the Freedom National Culture Institute of Peruwith contributions from the World Heritage Foundation - WHR, ICCROM and GCI. The Plan is approved by the Peruvian Government, with involvement at the highest levels up until today.

Irrigation

In order to increase the amount of farmland surrounding the city, a vast network of canals that diverted water from the Moche river into the area around the city was installed.^[4] It was only with the construction of these canals that the city's population could increase. Before the canals were dug, the city relied on a number of wells that were dug up to 15 meters into the ground.^[5]Many of the canals to the north of the city were destroyed by a catastrophic flood in c. 1100 AD, which was likely the key motivation for a need for the Chimú to refocus their economy towards one rooted in foreign resources rather than subsistence farming.^[5]

Threats to Chan Chan

As the world's largest adobe city, the ancient structures of Chan Chan are today threatened by erosion due to changes in weather patterns - heavy rains, flooding, strong winds.^[6][7]

Reliefs describing different currents of the ocean.

This fish net design is present all over the palace.

Fresh water spring inside the palace. In ancient times this provided water inside the palace. After irrigation practices changed, the spring dried up. With recent changes it has started to fill again but because no one is using the water, the had to drill a drain to keep it from flooding Chan Chan.

A view of the inside of the palace. After the death of the ruler, the palace would be abandoned and another one built.

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Project Updates 2.March.2012

In the interest of keeping a running record of what is going on here in Trujillo, I’m going to give a quick summary of everything. Just think of this as your news blurb from Dale.

1. Guinea Pig Farm– Huancaquito Bajo
1. This project has been “running” for 2  years and has yet to make a single payment. Since we told him that we where going to liquidate the project, suddenly cuyes have started dying. No bodies to show for it though. We are all pretty sure he is selling them and pocketing the money. Walter (the guy I live with) has expressed some interest in buying some of the cuyes from this project. A more promising prospect come from a current project in the classes we are teaching.One of the participants is looking at starting the idea. We are looking at expediting his business plan so that he can take over the failing project. The trick is we have 1 week before Dave comes to prove how this project will be different from the failed projects.
2. Bakery
1. Their accounting records are a nightmare. we found about 3k Soles they have lost last year from not keeping good records. We have decided to create a Task List for them and work on it over time. One of the major changes (that also has to be presented in a week) are their new goals for after the loan. We are hoping to have them expand the business and stay profitable. Its been rough getting goals out of them though.
3. Yogurt
1. This project was started but the lady is charge passed away. That was 2 years ago. No one sold the assets. They are finally being sold on Tuesday. Reported to Dave when he comes.
4. Mini Market – Alto Moche
1. We have visited this project once but everything is going pretty well. Not much to report.
5. Internet Stand
1. These guys are making payments to their loans on time but there has been some miscommunication. We took a look at their financials today and realized they have a very thing profit margin. This means that slight deviations in sales or costs cause a negative return. We are planning on taking a look at their costs to make sure its being reported correctly. After the loan is paid off, they business has a sustainable model every month
6. Milk Farm
1. I really don’t have a good feeling about this project. However, my job isnt to have gut feelings. Its to get this project up and running. So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to give it the best chance possible at succeeding. It might kill me. Something else to be presented to Dave when he comes.
7. Taxi – Jhoni
1. Didn’t put the GPS in his taxi like we told him to. His taxi was stolen a few months ago. Now he has a Loan and no taxi. He is still paying his payments though.
8. Taxi – Susana
1. In the original loan, they left S/. 4000.00 of the approved amount ‘in the bank’ to use for repairs down the road. That time has come. The question now though is if he really needs the repairs or if its just the mechanic trying to make some money.
9. Juicer
1. This was a project that was rejected last year. However, we have gotten approval to take another look at it. We spoke with the applicant today. Honestly though, we need a lot more info before we can start putting a proposal together. Again, another presentation when Dave comes.
10. Shoe Sales
1. This was another rejected project that we have been asked to take another look at. The details of the proposal have changed so dramatically that it requires a completely fresh look but I haven't gotten many good vibes from it yet.
11. New Groups
1. These are the groups that have been approved but that haven't signed the loan docs yet. This is because the lawyers have the program docs and are going over everything right now. We see some light at the end of the tunnel. The lawyers say that they have finished the papers and want to review them with DanPer. They should be coming down next week. Its going to be a ton of work getting them up and running but I'm ready for it. Hopefully it happens soon.
12. Classes
1. Classes are going well. The first 2 lessons may have been faked a little bit but the last lesson is going to require them to go out and really look for reliable information to start their business with. Elena will be teaching the legal lesson next week. We are trying to teach 2 lessons at a time in order to have a few weeks to help them get information together.

Let end it there. 13 is unlucky anyways.

 

Dale Out.

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Get in the Car.

Just watch it.

People who know me know a little about my life philosophy. I want to try to share a little bit of it tonight.

Step 1 – Plan

My mother used to say that I was probably her messiest and her cleanest kid…. Actually that may just be what I thought she thought. Either way – I feel like I am still that way. I‘ve never been diagnosed with ADD or any other mental disorder (yet) but I definitely have a hard time focusing. The way I’ve learned to deal with it is with organization. 3+ years after my time as a missionary and I still do weekly planning. Now I do it in Microsoft Outlook. From outlook, my calendar and to-do lists upload to Google. From Google, they sync back to my other computer, my tablet, and my phone. I plan every assignment and due date, tests, and goals every semester during the first week after I get the syllabus. If it isn't on my to-do list or calendar, it does not exist. I’m meticulous. I try to plan for every deviation and try to be realistic in my goals.

If it is not in the plans – it doesn’t happen.

Step 2 – Take “the plans” and throw them out the window!

That’s right. Life is filled with raw emotions and untold experiences. Its too short to cage yourself in with plans until [I]

use and old age accept them and all chance of valor has gone beyond beyond recall or desire.

JRR Tolkien – and  yes – its LOTR

I wish people still talked like this. Not because I'm a fantasy geek, but because I don’t know if people really believe in adventure and valor anymore. In a time where the average Joe has never been able to do,see, or learn more – it sure seems like a lot of people are working really hard to stay ‘average’.

Every time I come up with one of my brilliant ideas – it has to pass a few criteria.

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT – Whether it goes well or horribly wrong doesn’t matter as long as there is a good chance I’ll get a good story out of it. My best experiences/stories in my life are when things are going horribly wrong. Its about adventure and grandeur. Do something big enough and crazy enough and your bound to get a good story out it.
2. MONEY DOESN’T COUNT AS AN EXCUSE – ok yes it is. But its an excuse far less than people make it out to be. Fact is – if you want to do something bad enough, there is nothing on earth that can keep you from doing it. Money should def NOT be a driving force in your life. Thinking back – you couldn’t pay me a dollar amount to give up some of the experiences I’ve had. Why should “thinking forward” be any different.
3. WHY NOT – If there is not a seriously good reason why NOT to do something your bound to have a good story from, then DO IT! “I’m tired. I have homework. It’s not in my 5 year plan.” All really lame excuses.

Fifty years from now, when you're looking back at your life, don't you want to be able to say you had the guts to get in the car?

Quite possibly the ONLY remotely smart thing said in this movie.

 

List

The following is a list of some of the things that I’ve done that have met the above criteria in the last few years. They’re not all huge but I have great stories about them all, money didn’t stop me, and I couldn’t think of a good reason not to (and even a few good reasons TO DO them).

Serving a Mission.

1. Summer Sales of Pest Control.
2. Trying out for American Idol.
3. Snowboarding/ Wakeboarding/ Surfing
4. Midnight drive to California from Utah.
5. Driving straight through to Texas from Utah.
6. Fugitive
7. Gingerbread Houses
8. Buying Motorcycles
9. Living in Peru

 

 

Lesson Learned.

I don’t have a fantasy life (lots of money and time to do whatever I want).

I do have some awesome stories to tell.

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Email–SEED Status 11.Feb.2012

Dave,

I wanted to make sure I painted a clear and accurate picture of how I see the situation here in Peru. With all that has being going on since we have gotten here, information could have easily been lost in transit. Ill list out each point and try to give you a better explanation.

Information

The Good

Elena has done a great job of keeping financial records, lesson material, and just about anything else you can think of. She has been very patient with us as we have been trying to get an idea of the companies for ourselves.

The Bad

Her responsibilities overlap. Ours don’t. When we add the fact that interns come and go, we end up with some of the information never getting passed, and some of the information being duplicated into different versions. This was causing frustration on both ends.

The Solution

As you know, we have started a Dropbox folder named “SEED”. We have met with Elena and decided on a English/Spanish naming scheme that everyone can understand. This should remove the need for multiple copies of the same file. Currently, You, Kati, Alessandra, Elena, and I have access to this folder. Although Alessandra and I feel that Elena hasn’t quite completely learned how to use it, she does seem to be responsive to using it as a solution.

Planning – After our Thursday meetings, Alessandra and I meet to create a “To Do” List. We then meet back with Elena later in the day to discuss any needs that she may have and create an action list for the next week for each of us. This has helped to keep us progressing but also provides an opportunity for us to share the problems we are facing and find solutions.

Projects – In one of our planning meetings with Elena we also decided on what material we felt was necessary to have on each of the companies. Here is an outline of what each “Company Folder” should look like.

• Business Plan – Plan de Negocio (Folder)
  • Executive Summary
  • Financials
  • Other “Business Plan Materials”
• Contracts – Contratos (Folder)
  • Copies of contracts signed
• Financial Reports – Reportes de Control (Folder)
  • Amortization and Pay Schedule
  • Disbursement Records
  • Asset Lists
• Photos – Fotos (Folder)
  • Photos
• Log
  • Log of activity associated with a company to create a timeline of events that can been seen by different people. Naming scheme for “Log” will be (Year) – (Group) – (Project) – (Name).

Account Report-We are reviewing the report that is sent every month with Elena. The new report will be more streamlined and require less maintenance. Any feedback as to what you would like to see (or not) on these reports would be appreciated.

Lawyers – They seem to be an excuse for a lot right now. The biggest hindrance though is with the new projects. At this rate, we will get the papers before we leave but it may be to later to get the new projects started.

Projects

2008 – Huancaquito Bajo – Granja de Cuyes – Carlos Recalde

We have inventoried everything. We plan on setting an amount that he should be responsible for and then having him sell off assets. The problem we are having here is how to obligate him to do such. He has no reason to pay us back other than the loan document that He and 5 others signed. He doesn’t have enough for lawyers to go after. Alessandra and I both feel we will be lucky to be able to sell the cuyes. However, we are worried about setting a precedent for not having to make loan payments.

2008 – Huancaquito Bajo – Panaderia – Mara de la Crus Reyes

Alessandra and I have identified some accounting problems. Namely in their “Salary” amounts. In order to ‘simplify’ things, they had combined the extra bread they gave out and their salaries as one expense. Also, the records have been kept with a “what should happen” frame of mind instead of a “what IS happening” frame of mind. For example, in their financial statements, they took out a salary. In reality, they only pay themselves a portion of the actual salary amount 2x a year.

The good news is that they are making a list with ideas of what to change after they loan is paid. This will give Alessandra and I a chance to rework their business model and correct some mistakes.

Also, papers for land transfer are being drawn up and plans are being made for your visit.

2008 – Huancaquito Bajo – Yogurt

We have everything inventoried. Elena says that in the beginning of next week, we can expect to have everything valued. After that happens, we can start selling. Many of the assets have already been asked for by other businesses. Our goal is to have this taken care of by the end of the month.

2009 – Alto Moche – Mini Market  - Santos Cruz

Have about a year left on the payments. This is one of the company where things are happening like they should. Everything is in order and they are well on their way to completing their loan terms.

2010 – Danper Grp 1 – Cabinas de Internet – Alejandro Torres

At least half of this business seems to be very well organized. There seems to be some miscommunication between the two partners. Elena told me that Alejandro came looking for a line of credit from Danper to use to pay his loan. What he didn’t know was that they payment had already been made by his partner. This brought up additional concerns for him about the business. We have asked for them to send us information to put together a balance sheet and cash flow. We then plan to meet with both partners and discuss ways to better communicate and answer any questions they may have.

2010 – Danper Grp 1 – Crianza de Ganado – Jose Taico

I’ve reviewed his business plan and i have some questions for him. He is coming in on Monday to speak with us again. If I can get satisfactory answers, we plan on coming up with a schedule and having him signing off on it. We have made it very clear that He will need to start paying the loan before we leave. Hopefully he is paying it with money created by the business. If not, we will be selling what we can and asking him to pay back the rest.

2010 – Taxi – Jhony El Palmo

Haven’t met him yet but he is current on his accounts. Of course you’re aware that some of the supervisors are talking about his participation in the program.

2010 – Taxi – Susana la Esperanza

Came by once but missed us. We have asked her to come in again on Monday. Current on payments.

2010 – Danper Grp 1 – Ampliacion de Bodega – Jesus Gomez

We are working on the new proposal and should have it to you in the next couple of weeks.

Internet and Shoe Sales (revise) –

We have started looking at these and will have a proposal ready by your visit.

Classes

We were all frustrated with the turn of events this afternoon. We did make a start though. Plans have been made to do an introduction on Monday. Then starting Wed we will teach the first two lessons. This will give them the weekend to get the homework for both lessons done and then we will review on Monday.

The good news is that we have quite a large group. 20 from the plant and 12 from the fields. 32 groups (64 people) should be starting the class next week.

In reference to the lesson material, it is a prime example of multiple copies. Elena was a little upset that we weren’t using the same copy of the materials that she had (we had been given several versions).The copies she has includes revisions that they made last year. We have decided on a cleaner format and are reviewing each lesson. This single copy of the lesson material should become more apparent in Dropbox over the next few weeks.

That was a lot of information but I hope it does provide some details of what we are doing. Any feedback is always appreciated.

Thanks,

Preston Dale

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Huanchaquito, Peru

Trip Out

Every time I leave my little bedroom here in Trujillo, I am amazed at what I see.

Trujillo is in a desert region by an ocean and has somehow managed to have a decent agriculture industry. DanPer ( the company we work with) is a prime example. They own large portions of land around Trujillo dedicated to Asparagus and Artichokes.

In the case of Huanchaquito, most of the town works for one of the several ag companies in the area. DanPer even funds a small clinic in the area.

Now on to the work stuff.

This was the first day we have had a chance to go and visit the projects. Allessandra, Elena, and I met in the Ovalo Grau and headed out. One bus ride and one (bumpy/dirty) taxi ride later, we made it to Huanchaquito.

 

Huanchaquito Bajo

The Town

No paved roads. No running water. Very limited electricity. DanPer funded clinic. nuff said.

Granja de Cuyes

The Granya de Cuyes (Guinea Pig Farm) was a project started in the beginning of SEED (3 years ago). For one reason or another, it has been a total failure. We lost all the funding money on food and constructing two different pens. No cuyes have been sold, no payments have been received, and now the guy wants out. We went out there today to check the situation out. Out of the S/. 18,000 ($6500) we gave him, all we have to show for it are 50 poorly cared for cuyes. Time to salvage what we can and write it off with a good lesson learned. Namely – fund projects with real assets because that’s the only real recourse we have.

Guinea Pigs are called “Cuyes”–AKA “Dinner”

Panaderia

The other project we have in Huanchaquito Bajo is a bakery. The bakery is about the complete opposite of the cuye farm. Four ladies have endured with this project over the past 3 years and are going to be paying off their loan in March. The loan was approved on part because Danper was planning on buying large amounts of bread from them for employees. When that didn’t happen, the associates decided that they would stay on track to pay off their loan by taking much less ‘salary’ home until the loan was paid off. Now that they are getting ready to pay off the loan, they are looking to hire with the extra money.  These four ladies truly demonstrate the purpose for this program. They fill a great need, in the community they live in and are therefor not only providing a much needed service for the community, but enriching the lives of all that are involved.

		Huanchaquito Bajo VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

The Way Back

Dale Out

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28 Jan 2012

First Day Off

 

What I Bought	In Soles (S/.)	In Dollars ($)
Rip Curl Shirt	S/. 40.00	$ 14.87
Billabong Shorts	S/. 50.00	$ 18.59
Oakley Sunglasses	S/. 30.00	$ 11.15

 

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