This is an inspiring story of how one thought and a single email with good intentions can be the spark of collective energy that ignites people’s hearts from every corner of the globe.
Sometimes the worst situations in ones life turn to be the best opportunities in the long run. This was the case of Serapio Huaman, A local Peruvian who lost his house in tragic mudslides events.
I still remember the first time I saw Serpio’s tough but smiling face when I got to his destroyed house. His face was beaming with gratitude and humility. When his eyes welled with tears and my heart started to sink I knew I’ll see him again. However, I have never dreamt of what was to going to happen. The universe has its own way of taking care of things I guess.
Up until this point, the small and isolated town of Ocotuan had probably never been visited by foreigners, but Serapio’s seemingly bad luck turned out to be a blessing and travellers from all around the world visited the house.
The whole idea started to form when Serpio’s image crying on my shoulder kept popping up in my mind every time I went to help clearing the wreckage. After a quick chat with a friend I decided to take a video of Serpio requesting for help and also to build a special website where photos can be published. It had proven to be a very powerful way of delivering the emotions behind the senseless flooding disaster.
When the first donation arrived I got very excited. I felt so much gratitude and appreciation. When the donation pool reached two thousand dollars in less than 48 hours I knew that something amazing has just happened. A new house can be built I thought, and amazingly enough it did.
The universe has conspired to help me and I met the right people on the right time, who gave so much of their free travelling time for the task. The rebuilding story had its own power which had touched the hearts and minds of random travellers I met in Cusco.
More than 100 people have been involved in this little random 2 months project. The before and after photos can be seen below. Huge thanks to anyone who has helped out. Serpio and his family were in tears of happiness last time I Visited.
Thank you.
Live your dreams,
Tal
By Tal Gur
Personal Journeys