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2009 Trip planning

Mark your calendars!
Our 2009 trip will be April 17 – May 1

Contact Us to Volunteer or Donate

El viaje de 2008

Este año fuimos afortunados de tener 6 miembros de nuestro grupo que ni conocían a ninguno de nosotros ni sabían exactamente lo que iban a estar haciendo. Eran personas valientes y generosas que agregaron diversidad, entusiasmo y una gran energía a nuestro trabajo. Los dos doctores y la enfermera añadieron una dimensión médica. Viajaron por 3 días en colchones en la parte trasera de una ambulancia con un grupo médico local a unos pueblos retirados. La primera noche los colchones se convirtieron en sus camas, colocados lado a lado en el suelo de un edificio de la comunidad. Cuando se empezó a correr la voz que teníamos doctores, por las tardes la gente hacía cola en frente del portón. Con paciencia le dieron atención personal a cada persona que venía. Desafortunadamente, la mayoría de los tratamientos solicitados estaba un poco más allá de lo que se podía hacer en nuestra sala… ¡como tumores cerebrales! También quiero agradecerles a nuestros donantes de Nueva Zelanda con cuyas contribuciones se recuperó el déficit de fondos causado por la bajada de 25% del valor del dólar estadounidense.

Gracias de nuevo de todos del Becky Fund por su apoyo continuo de nuestro proyecto. Como a lo mejor ya saben, ahora les dedico nuestro trabajo a ambos Becky y Michael.

¡Marca tu calendario!

Nuestro viaje de 2009 será el 17 de abril al primero de mayo.

Con gratitud, Dinny


Gracias a nuestra voluntaria fiel, Ann Smith, por armar la carta de 2008.

Boletín informativo de Becky Fund

Este año el grupo que se reunió en Perú para seguir con el trabajo del Becky Fund fue compuesto por Dinny, su hermana Christina y su cuñado Ross de Nueva Zelanda, Leonard Jiménez de Las Cruces, Nuevo México, viejos amigos Ann Smith (Massachusetts) y Melissa Cole (Texas), y nuevos amigos Arash Babaoff y Drew Schnitt, doctores con Operation Smile, Susan Hoelle, una enfermera de Cincinnati, Ohio, Safari McDoulett (Florida), Asha Vida (Michigan), y Lana Rahme (Michigan).

Como siempre, teníamos mucho apoyo en Calca de la familia Wilson. Como en los años pasados, disfrutamos de una comida grande preparada cada día por la Señora Yolanda Wilson. Hernán Wilson nos acompañaba en nuestros viajes y mantenía archivos. Ligia y Carlos nos mostraba una calurosa hospitalidad en Cusco y Urubamba y nos facilitaban la adquisición de provisiones. La familia entera nos dio la bienvenida con los brazos abiertos, nos dieron de comer y nos entretuvieron.
Este año, para añadir una nueva perspectiva en el trabajo del Fund, nos gustaría ofrecerles algunos de los comentarios que escribieron los nuevos miembros del Escuela Squad después de volver a casa:

<Gracias a todos que hacen esto posible. ¡Escuela Squad es lo mejor!>>
Safari McDoulett

<Fue maravilloso trabajar contigo y estoy bien impresionado con lo que están haciendo ahí. El Becky Fund Mission 2008 fue todo lo que un voluntario podría esperar y más. La hermosura del Valle Sagrado es un telón de fondo increíblemente hermoso para las tareas actuales. He viajado por todo el mundo haciendo trabajo humanitario y algunas de las peores condiciones de vivienda y de nutrición que he visto están en el Valle Sagrado. Aunque las necesidades básicas de la gente indígena no son cumplidas, la gente es amigable y agradecida. Los niños están encantados de recibir los útiles escolares y puede que los maestros estén aun más contentos. El proporcionar asistencia médica por primera vez en una misión del Becky Fund también fue muy informativo. En estas regiones retiradas hay mucha necesidad de asistencia médica que podría ser mejor cumplida con un poco más de esfuerzo. Las condiciones de vivienda y de nutrición se podrían mejorar muchísimo con una intervención mínima mientras se preservan el ambiente y la cultura locales. >>
Drew Schnitt

<le entregamos un par de bastones con puntas de goma para ayudarle a mantener el equilibrio en las escabrosas y pedregosas montañas. Fue entonces cuando me di cuenta que el Becky Fund no sólo toca a los niños de Perú sino a las familias de esos niños también. >>
Melissa Cole

<
Estoy completamente de acuerdo con la evaluación de Drew acerca de las necesidades de atención médica que tienen los niños del Valle Sagrado. Viajamos a los pueblos más retirados y así tuvimos la oportunidad única de ayudar a la asistencia médica local. La pobreza y la desnutrición son la norma ahí, y hasta las contribuciones más pequeñas reciben una gratitud increíble y una serenata. La naturaleza bondadosa y sencilla de la gente te enternece. Los niños del Valle Sagrado, como todos los niños, siempre están listos para jugar contigo, y su alegría y entusiasmo te atraen.

Estoy emocionado de echar a correr la voz acerca del Becky Fund. Los voluntarios reciben una perspectiva única e íntima del Valle Sagrado, su gente, su paisaje, sus necesidades. No creo que sea posible hacer una misión como ésta sin recordarla y compararla con futuros viajes. Siempre está presente en mi mente.

Les felicito a Dinny y a su equipo. Su increíble dedicación ha creado una oportunidad modelo para ayudar a la gente del Valle Sagrado tanto como a los voluntarios que tienen la buena fortuna e iniciativa de participar.>>
Arash Babaoff

El viaje fue maravilloso con toda la emoción de los niños y la diversión de conocer a nuevos amigos. Tuvimos noches de celebración, pero también unos momentos más sombríos cuando nos acordamos de Becky y de Michael. Todos nosotros admiramos mucho a Dinny por llevar sus espíritus con ella para darles a los niños del Valle Sagrado el regalo de aprender.
Para concluir, el Becky Fund ha ayudado a más de 4.500 de alumnos este año con útiles escolares individuales y materiales para el salón de clase. Cada año se adapta el sistema para asegurar que los materiales lleguen a los niños que más los necesitan. Nada de esto sería posible sin su ayuda y apoyo. Gracias de todos nosotros.

2008 Trip Update

This year we were fortunate to have 6 new members of our group that didn’t know any of us, or exactly what they were going to be doing. They were brave and generous souls who brought diversity, enthusiasm and great energy to our work. The 2 doctors and the nurse added a new medical dimension. They traveled for 3 days with a local medical group on mattresses in the back of an ambulance to some remote villages. The first night the mattresses became their beds, laid side by side on the floor of a community building. As word spread that we had doctors people would line up outside our gate in the evenings. They patiently gave personal attention to every one who came. Unfortunately, most of the treatments requested were a bit beyond what they could take care of in our living room….like brain tumors!

I also want to thank our New Zealand donors whose contributions made up the shortfall in funds caused by the 25% drop in the value of the dollar.

Thank you again from everyone at the Becky Fund for your continued support of our project. As you probably know, I am now dedicating our work to both Becky and Michael.

Mark your calendars!
Our 2009 trip will be April 17 – May 1

With gratitude, Dinny

Thanks to loyal volunteer, Ann Smith, for putting together the 2008 letter.

Becky Fund Newsletter
April 2008

The group that gathered in Peru this year to carry out the Becky Fund work was comprised of Dinny, her sister Christina and brother-in-law Ross from New Zealand, Leonard Jimenez from Las Cruces, old friends Ann Smith (MA) and Melissa Cole (TX), and new friends Arash Babaoff and Drew Schnitt, doctors with Operation Smile, Susan Hoelle, a nurse from Cincinnati, Safari McDoulett (FL), Asha Vida (MI), and Lana Rahme (MI).

We were well supported as usual by the Wilson family in Calca. As in years past, we enjoyed a large main meal cooked each day by Señora Yolanda Wilson. Hernan Wilson accompanied us in our travels and kept records. Ligia and Carlos showed us warm hospitality in Cusco and Urabamaba and facilitated our purchase of supplies. And the entire family welcomed us with open arms and fed us and entertained us.


This year, for a new perspective on the work of the Fund, we would like to offer you some of the comments that first time members of the Escuela Squad wrote after returning home:

“I loved my experience in Peru. The family of Becky and the volunteers who were there are inspiring. It was like going to camp for adults! I still haven't come down from my camp high and I hope I never do! Coming home from this trip has rekindled my desire to seek out living a life with more meaning. Not only do they accomplish a lot for the kids, the group gave us the opportunity to glance through the eyes of others in an intimate way. It is inspiring the same way a smile creates a catchy energy in a room. I'm excited and thankful for a refreshed outlook on what is possible in the world through ordinary (and extraordinary) people. Be inspired and get involved!

Thank you to everyone who supports making this possible.
Escuela Squad Rocks!!!”

Safari McDoulett

“Dinny,
It was great working with you and I am really impressed with what you are doing there. The Becky Fund Mission 2008 was all that a volunteer could expect and more. The beauty of the Sacred Valley is an unbelievably beautiful backdrop for the task at hand. I have traveled the world doing humanitarian work and some of the poorest living and nutritional conditions I have seen are in the Sacred Valley. The basic needs of the indigenous people there are poorly met yet the people are incredibly friendly and gracious. The children are so overjoyed to receive much needed school supplies and the teachers may be even happier. Providing health care for the fist time on a Becky Fund Mission was also quite enlightening. There are many health care needs that could be better met in these remote regions with a little more effort and the nutritional and living conditions could be vastly improved with some minimal intervention while preserving the local atmosphere and culture."

Drew Schnitt

“While my initial focus on our drives high into the Andes lining the Sacred Valley of Peru was the myriad of children that the Becky Fund was to serve, it soon changed to the entire community supporting those children. My eyes couldn't help but be riveted on the brightly clad ninos looking like a flock of red cardinals flying to meet us. They were joyful and appreciative. But trailing behind them were always parents, teachers, and others within the community with offerings of handshakes, or sometimes potatoes. Their gratitude shone as brightly as their smiles.
Dinny had brought some rubber tips for walking canes as she had discovered a large need for something more substantial than the rickety tree limbs most elderly or debilitated folks used to support themselves. We searched the city of Cuzco for the wooden dowels for the sticks themselves and then assembled the canes at night. One day after traveling more than three hours to a remote village where the children had to wade across a cold river to reach us we found an old woman who came from the field where she was working to see what the commotion was about. She was bare-footed and lived where the terrain would require a lot of steep climbing. Dinny dug into our stash of donated clothing and shoes to find a pair of flip-flops for the woman. But she seemed to not know how to keep them on her feet. So Dinny and Leonard set about creating a unique way of helping her keep them on with a dash of pizzazz and red ribbon. She beamed with the attention and the shoes. Before heading back to her field she was presented with a pair of rubber-tipped walking sticks to help her balance in the rugged, rocky mountains. I realized then that the Becky Fund not only reaches the children of Peru but the families of those children too.”

Melissa Cole

"I feel so fortunate to have happened upon the Becky Fund Mission this year. Yet it comes as no surprise to me, since I was quickly taken into the fold after being introduced to it by my friend, Melissa Cole, a veteran of this mission in past years, and my divining rod for important causes. I, in turn, had the good fortune to invite friends and loved ones to participate, and before you know it, we really had a remarkable group of people.

I don’t think that I can agree enough with Drew’s assessment of the health care needs of the children of the Sacred Valley. We had the rare opportunity to join in with the local public health care effort, being transported out to the most remote villages. Poverty and nutritional deficiencies are the norm there, and even the smallest of contributions are met with incredible gratitude and serenading. The people touch you with their kind and unassuming nature. The children of the Sacred Valley, like all children, are always ready to play with you, and their joy and enthusiasm just draws you in.

I really look forward to spreading the word about the Becky Fund. Volunteers get such a unique and intimate view of the Sacred Valley, its people, its landscape, its needs. I’m not sure that it’s possible to go on such a mission and not to think back to it or to compare it to future trips taken. It stays with me.

My hat is off to Dinny and her crew. Her incredible dedication has created a model opportunity to touch both the people of the Sacred Valley as well as the volunteers who have the good fortune and initiative to join in."

Arash Babaoff

The trip was wonderful, with all of the excitement of the children and the fun getting to know new friends. We had evenings of celebration, but also some more somber times of remembering Becky and Michael. All of us greatly admire Dinny for carrying their spirits with her to give the gift of learning to the children of the Sacred Valley.

In conclusion, the Becky Fund reached over 4500 students this year with individual and classroom supplies. Each year there is some adjustment to make sure that the supplies are going to the children who need them most. None of this would be possible without your help and support. Thank you from all of us.

2008 Trip a Success

The 2008 trip to Peru went very well. We delivered supplies to over 4000 students. We will post a full trip description soon.

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Michael Prichard

To friends of the Becky Fund:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the accidental death of Becky's older brother, Michael on September 14, 2007. He leaves behind his wife, Christine, and his beloved children, Marley, age 6 and Avery, age 3.

Aaron Ebner, who has done two summer projects for the Becky Fund, has graciously agreed to join the Becky Fund Board. Becky's brother, Alex, has taken over Michael's position of President and Aaron will be the new Vice President. Jessie Epstein, Becky's childhood friend, remains as Secretary and I stay on as Treasurer.

Our annual trip is scheduled for April 11-25. I will continue our work in Peru in honor of both of my children, Becky and Michael.

Thank you all for your continuing support.

Dinny Bomberg

Acerca de Mike

La siguiente historia acerca del hermano de Becky, Mike, se publicó en el Birmingham News el 11 de noviembre de 2007.

Amaba la vida pero ponía en duda los convencionalismos.

Erin Stock

Periodista

Pedazos de la vida de Mike Prichard cubren una parte de la pared en un pasillo estrecho en el Bare Hands Gallery en Birmingham, Alabama.

Los artículos y las fotos abarrotan la ofrenda dedicada a él dentro de un espacio más o menos el ancho de una chimenea y salpicado con caléndulas.

En el centro, sobre una repisa de madera montada en la pared, está una carta escrita en letra cursiva y firmada con un beso con lápiz labial: "Querida Christine, ¡estoy tan enamorado de ti! ¿No serás mi querida por favor? Con amor, Michael."

Alrededor de las palabras están fotos de Prichard con su esposa, Chris, y otros miembros de la familia. En la repisa hay un libro en miniatura, "The Joys of the Garden" y un pequeño jarrón con batería de cocina que alude a uno de sus talentos. La colección de cosas de la vida de Prichard es parte de la exhibición de la galería para El Día de los Muertos. En los últimos años Prichard honró a su hermana menor por medio de la exhibición. Este año su esposa lo está honrando a él. Prichard murió en septiembre a la edad de 40 años en un accidente en su casa de Forest Park. La ofrenda muestra una foto de Prichard haciendo senderismo con su hija, placas de los seis estados donde había vivido con Chris antes de que tuvieran hijos, guantes de jardinero manchados de tierra, entradas de concierto del House of Blues y una pegatina de parachoques de Bob Marley: "Emancípate de la esclavitud mental. Nadie más que nosotros mismos puede liberar nuestras mentes."

Prichard, quien adornaba su carro con pegatinas de parachoques políticas, llamaba a Russ y Dee Fine y discutía con los presentadores de programa de radio. En sus conversaciones cotidianas, animaba a otros a poner en duda los convencionalismos y le encantaban las discusiones provocadoras.

También vivía el cambio que exigía. Hace poco él y su esposa empezaron a renovar casas utilizando productos ecológicamente sanos y planeaban abrir un negocio que proveyera material de construcción <>. Comía comida orgánica mucho antes de que la práctica se volviera popular. El jardín de su patio trasero tenía pimiento, tomate, quingombó, frijol, maíz, fresas y hierbas – ingredientes que usaba para crear platos ricos en sabor, sorprendiendo a visitas que pensaban que la comida vegetariana no podría ser tan sabrosa.

Cada día mandaba a su hija de 5 años, Marley, a la escuela con una ensalada del jardín y le enseñaba a cocinar. Prichard les leía Mark Twain a ella y a su hijo de 3 años, Avery.

"Después de que nació Marley, dijo, "Sabes, mamá, tenías razón,"" dijo Dinny Bomberg, recordando que una vez le había dicho a su hijo que si tuviera hijos, los amaría mil veces más que amaba a los perros y otros animales.

Durante la mayoría de su carrera, Prichard hacía trabajo independiente de producción de cine y de televisión, incluyendo el departamento de arte, la mezcla de sonido, tareas de iluminación y cámara. Era trabajador y un verdadero "MacGyver" que venía a un rodaje con una caja de herramientas y encontraba una manera de hacer que las cosas funcionaran, dijo Allen Rosen, un colega y amigo. La mamá de Prichard dijo que su hijo nunca tenía miedo de intentar cosas nuevas. Cuando tenía 3 años, quitó los ruedines de su nueva bicicleta y aprendió a andar en ella sin ellos.

Tocaba el bajo, el violín, la guitarra y el piano y fue miembro de varias bandas durante su vida. Cuando Chris lo conoció, dirigía una galería de arte en St. Paul que daba conciertos en el sótano. La primera vez que lo vio, Chris estaba con su novio y le soltó la mano. Los ojos de Prichard la cautivaron. Eran ojos azules e intensos que contenían un poco de travesura.

La pareja viajaba juntos y vivieron en Montana, Utah, Maine y Nuevo Hampshire, finalmente se mudaron a Birmingham en 1997.

Un huerto de arándano e higuera se está sembrando en su memoria al Jones Valley Urban Farm. Si a alguien le interesa ayudar, puede reunirse con los voluntarios los sábados desde las 10 de la mañana hasta mediodía.

Schoolchildren of Choquecancha benefit from Becky Fund Volunteer Efforts

It has been another successful summer session for Becky Fund volunteers Aaron Ebner, Dave Scott, Sean Duffey, and myself, as we traveled to Choquecancha in support of the local elementary school. The small pueblo of Choquecancha rests halfway up the Lares valley, in a picturesque spot about two hours drive from the Becky Fund base in Calca.

Aaron and Dave arrived in early July to make preparations, after spending much of the previous year diligently fundraising thousands of dollars. They spent significant time and effort in the purchase and transport of materials, in hiring construction expertise, and in the general arrangements with the Choquecancha school administrators. They also purchased books and school supplies for the school library. Most of the materials had to come from Calca and Cuzco, so Aaron and Dave made many a trip among these towns via motorcycle, taxi, and the ever-crowded combi mini-bus! After days of making such arrangements, they were able to begin work on the kitchen/cafeteria building at the schoolyard. Traditionally, the schoolchildren are provided a nutrient-rich corn-meal and biscuit lunch by the Peruvian government, which is cooked on an open bonfire in the schoolyard. The new facilities, as funded by the Becky Fund, would provide a kitchen area with a gas-powered stove for the school cooks (often the local parents). The new facilities would also allow for some limited cafeteria space. Finally, a school library would be set up and furnished with new books and materials.

To begin the work, Dave and Aaron carried dozens of mud bricks down a winding mountain road to the job site, where our construction experts were there to evenly cement them into place. Upon the completion of these crude walls, trees from astride the main road were felled to provide roof beams. After a thin metal roof was installed, a bright white layer of stucco provided an impressive aesthetic improvement. Much work remained on the interior of this building, however, and luckily Sean and myself arrived soon after to help tackle this task. Upon our arrival, we four merry gringos set to work digging out the floor of the new building and installing floor beams. We had a great deal of interest, and a bit of help from the schoolchildren as well, who would wake us from our tents in the morning and keep us entertained through midday. Magic tricks and the occasional futbol game often ensued during lunch periods.

We also constructed a second building in order to house some of the kitchen equipment, and this entailed the transport of some 300 adobe bricks from the village supply, about 150 meters up the winding road. Between carting these bricks and a great deal of cement mixing materials, we were quite filthy and exhausted at the end of our workdays. Our locally hired experts, however, often worked 10 hours a day for the entire month straight! Needless to say we were quite inspired by their work ethic; we often blamed our own short 8 hour days on the altitude!

During the continuing construction and completion of these two school buildings, we set to work furnishing the school’s library. We were able to purchase an impressive collection of books from Cuzco, thanks again to The Becky Fund. We brought full encyclopedias, Spanish-Qechua-English books (a favorite of the teachers), story books, practical guides, math and science books, and even a few Harry Potter translations! We spent a few days setting up the library and cleaning out the area, hanging maps and posters, and arranging the shelves and desks. As we neared our departure date, Aaron was able to bring a group of students into the library for a cross-cultural exchange. He had previously arranged for some local schoolchildren in Marshall, Michigan to write pen-pal letters to the students in Choquecancha. Now it was time to produce the return letters, which we all helped the students to write. It was a wonderful experience to work with these children on their letters, especially given the backdrop of the newly furnished library.

Upon our departure date, the school administrators were incredibly gracious. Many of the students lined up to sing songs of thanks, while the parents and teachers cooked us each a 4 lb choice cut of goat meat. A small ceremony was held during which one of our administrator friends, Ephraim, said a few heartfelt words of thanks. We broke a bottle of champage over the vestibule, said many friendly goodbyes, and headed on our way home.

Arrangements were also made for the 8^th grade class to take a trip to Machu Picchu, and take advantage of this amazing Peruvian cultural center. Funding for this trip, as often provided by the school, was lacking this year. The Becky Fund was able to step up and secure a spot for each 8^th grade student.

We would like to send our thanks and best wishes to our friends in Choquacancha, Calca, Marshall, and elsewhere. Our friends Ruben, Pio, Hector, Julian, and little Percy were an immense help during the construction phase. Jorge, Ephraim, Juan, Marco and the other school administrators were also dear friends during our stay. It was a delight to visit Hernan and Yolanda; as usual we benefited from Yolanda’s fine home cooking! Carlos from Cuzco helped a lot as well. We appreciate all the donations and assistance from friends and family from Marshall, and the surrounding areas in Michigan. Finally, to Dinny and the Becky Fund, once again we immensely appreciate the opportunity to do such meaningful and fulfilling work.

-Ethan Ebner

Thank You Phi Gamma Delta (U of Mich)!

Dear Dinny,

Greetings from the University of Michigan! On behalf of the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) here at the University, I would like to present you with this donation of $375.22 in support of The Becky Fund. Perhaps my mom told you about the fundraiser we held here on campus; we had about 35 members of our organization out bucketing on a mild spring day this past April. It was a very successful event; on top of the money raised, we were able to spread the good word about the work being done in becky's honor...

As I am sure you have heard, Aaron and I along with our friend Dave Scott, and Sean Duffy, will be heading back to Peru in the next few weeks. We plan to undertake the school building upgrade/construction project that Aaron has been working so hard on. He has made it his goal to raise an impressive amout of money for this project, and hopefully this donation can help as well.

We are glad to lend our support to The Becky Fund, and hope that the organization can continue to assist the indigent students of Peru. in addition, my brother Aaron and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to do such important work for such a noble cause.

Thank you again; Good luck and best wishes!

Sincerely,
Ethan Ebner
Graduate Advisor
Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji)
University of Michigan

Read entire letter.