Manchay City Peru at Dusk

"Manchay City remains a marginal area in Lima, nestled between mountains and desert and, as its absence from the map bears witness, it is not considered to be an area of any importance. Many of its population are originally inhabitants of the Andean areas displaced by the violence perpetuated by the militant communist group Shining Path in the 1980s. The poverty rate is high."

-Written by Juan Arellano

The air was grainy and it appeared that the plants knew something the humans didn't and decided to leave long ago.

It was getting dark and we were finishing up a few home deliveries of wheelchairs in Manchay City while on a humanitarian trip in Perú.

Even though to the naked eye this place didn't seem like it could possibly be somewhere that humans actually "live", it was soon that we would notice this little city was actually bustling with life.

Our group set out to hand out toys and toothbrushes and socks etc.. to the kids we saw out and about the city. As we did, more and more families came out to greet us. All with shy, but gracious smiles.

It was sombering to know that babies and children lived in that dusty little slum town. Where they only get the chance to buy water 1 time a week, and if they run out they are out. Among numerous other difficulties they face daily.

I do realize that thought is a very 1st world/American way of thinking. Truth is, they all looked out for each other, and even more surprising, they all looked happy. I think that is what really matters in the end right?

Are you happy?

I snapped this photo as we were leaving to head back to our VERY accommodating hotel for the night. It is always hard to come home after a trip like that. The beds on these trips have always felt much more comfortable after this.