For two weeks between the 8th and 22nd of June 2009, we worked for the Association Humanitarian San Fransisco de Asis charity in Colan, Peru. Colan is a small seaside town nestled on the dry and arid shores of northern Peru. Every summer, thousands of Peruvian holidaymakers are drawn here to enjoy this pleasant little seaside resort.
AHSFA is coordinated by Rosemary Gordon, the South African/Peruvian ex model who, since moving to Colan, has become a pivotal part of the local community. Run from her home near the beach, this charity is powered by her enthusiasm and passion. Always the voice of reason and common sense, Rosemary cares greatly not only for the animals but also its people, for example, managing to obtain foreign financial aid for some of the town’s poorer inhabitants.
We arrived in Colan on the Saturday, having managed to avoid being conned by the Peruvian taxi drivers! Months of travelling on this continent had taught us not to play timid gringos when faced with the persuasive taxi driver! It was reassuring to meet some friendly, chatty people during the journey. The charity is located a street back from the beach. Not too far to go for an after work beer at sunset!
At first we were introduced to the wooden cabin that was to be our home for the next two weeks. This opens up into an impressive compound, perfectly set up to accommodate several adopted dogs and cats, four tortoises and a cockerel (one that was very unpopular at 4am every morning!). There is a single well-kitted-out operating room able to accommodate up to 3 vets working at once.
The charity’s aim is to promote and attend to the health and welfare of the canines, felines, and equids (mostly donkeys) of Colan and the surrounding area. Work mainly involves spaying and neutering, parasite control and education. Parasite control sometimes takes the form of a ‘day out’ into other villages where a table is set and the villagers bring their pets for their worming and defleaing treatment. This unfortunately is often provided at the charity’s expense.
Ignorance and poor education is rife in this part and is essentially the root of all the problems. Educating is therefore vital, especially educating the youngsters. Led by Noe, the super-sized, friendly educational officer, the educational campaign has continued to grow and is now included in the school curriculum. Even during field days, educating is important. Noe lures aside the swarms of children that make nuisances of themselves when you are trying to work, and sits them down for a lesson of animal care and welfare.
Spaying and neutering takes up most of the vet’s time here. During our stay, the majority of the animals commuted by taxi from the nearby larger town of Paita. Most animals there had owners of some description and persuading them to get their pet sterilized proved quite a battle, even when it was free. This task fell onto Marina, another of the charity’s stars, and normally involved painstakingly knocking on doors until managing to convince someone that it’s a worthwhile thing to have done. It’s this kind of passion and determination from individuals to improve animal welfare that has made the charity a success.
“A dog is not just for Christmas” is appropriate here. Street dogs all too often appear when the once cute puppy has now become a burden for the owner. This often sees the animal turfed out onto the streets and expected to fend for itself. This is probably how Yacilla came to live on the streets. Yacilla was found rearing 4 chubby little pups in one of the villages we held a spay clinic, (in the doctors surgery of all places!!). Herself only skin and bones by then, the puppies drawing on all her energy reserves. We felt an overwhelming sympathy towards her, she was kind and deserved a good home. We had to take her back to the clinic. The taxi ride home was now even more crammed, with the addition of 5 flea and tick infested new friends. These pups would be rehomed after being spayed and neutered.
However, it wasn’t all work; there was plenty of time to enjoy the area, to soak up the sun while sipping one of Mario’s wonderful Pisco Sours at the resort, and to chill in one of the hammocks at the compound. The beach was a stone throw away, so a great place to enjoy sunset with an ice cold Cusqueňa.
The fortnight flew by, always a good sign. Thank you to Rosemary, Ingrid, Amy, Noe, Marina and Sr More for ensuring we had an unforgettable experience and an all round taste of life in Colan. We saw and learned so much about the people, the animals, the environment, the culture and the food in that part of Peru.
If you fancy doing something different, Colan is a must. Go to work with great people and great animals. Go for a taste of life in this part of Peru that you would never get from travelling around on some tour bus. The charity is a success but relies on continued support from its volunteers, donors and suppliers.
