in a small remote Peruvian village just outside of Cusco, Peru, a little peasant boy named Piero has awoken with a smile.
Today, Piero has learned that his annual gifts will come early. Today, is a day filled with joy and celebration.
Piero and his family are part of an outreach project started in the United States years ago which has continued annually. The project sends specific unwanted and useless items to those who are less fortunate. These items may be of very little value to those of us in the industrialized world, but to Piero and his family, they provide a tremendous source of comfort and worth.
After helping his mother collect fresh eggs and milk from the village farm cooperative, Piero races down to the banks of the Urubamba River. Approaching from the North, Piero spots a man paddling a hollowed out wooden boat. Piero waves his arms in delight as the man paddles the boat faster to the edge of the bank. Piero sees the cardboard box in the front of the boat and looks at the man desperately for approval. The man nods to Piero, and he grabs the box and runs at full speed back to his hut.
Once inside, Piero can hardly contain himself, he yelps (in an almost canine like sound) as he begins to open the box wondering what this year’s version will look like. Piero pulls back the tape on the box, reaches his hands inside and pulls out the first item on top. This year’s material is softer than last year’s, and it pleases Piero. Piero will sleep well in this. Tonight will be a peaceful night. Piero slips the T-shirt over his head and admires the writing in the reflection of the glass of the window of his hut. Piero cannot read English, but he knows, the writing contains a very important
message...and the message reads...
“University of Georgia Bulldogs 2019 Football National Champions.”
Today, Piero has learned that his annual gifts will come early. Today, is a day filled with joy and celebration.
Piero and his family are part of an outreach project started in the United States years ago which has continued annually. The project sends specific unwanted and useless items to those who are less fortunate. These items may be of very little value to those of us in the industrialized world, but to Piero and his family, they provide a tremendous source of comfort and worth.
After helping his mother collect fresh eggs and milk from the village farm cooperative, Piero races down to the banks of the Urubamba River. Approaching from the North, Piero spots a man paddling a hollowed out wooden boat. Piero waves his arms in delight as the man paddles the boat faster to the edge of the bank. Piero sees the cardboard box in the front of the boat and looks at the man desperately for approval. The man nods to Piero, and he grabs the box and runs at full speed back to his hut.
Once inside, Piero can hardly contain himself, he yelps (in an almost canine like sound) as he begins to open the box wondering what this year’s version will look like. Piero pulls back the tape on the box, reaches his hands inside and pulls out the first item on top. This year’s material is softer than last year’s, and it pleases Piero. Piero will sleep well in this. Tonight will be a peaceful night. Piero slips the T-shirt over his head and admires the writing in the reflection of the glass of the window of his hut. Piero cannot read English, but he knows, the writing contains a very important
message...and the message reads...
“University of Georgia Bulldogs 2019 Football National Champions.”
