After a few days in Lima, we are now in Huaraz (map).  We are slowly adjusting to the high altitude and yesterday took a hike to Laguna Ahuak which sits at above 14,000 ft!

Later today we will be joined by one of the leaders of the Engineers Without Borders Greater Austin (EWB-AUS) Peru Project to begin work on the project’s first assessment trip.  Our team, consisting of Laura Read, Dr. Daene McKinney, Caryn McKinney, James Seppi, and Taylor Cook, will be meeting with The Mountain Institute (TMI) and representatives of the local “Tres Cuencas Commonwealth” communities to assess project feasibility and begin work on a memorandum of understanding for the project.  During this assessment we will visit at least two of the communities high in the Andes to learn about their water practices and problems and to discuss a starting point for the EWB-AUS project.

After the EWB-AUS assessment ends on August 15, Coseppi will remain in Huaraz until the end of November to provide on-the-ground support for the project.  We will also be working toward a unified development strategy to secure funding for the project by preparing grant applications that take into consideration all aspects of the project and the three organizations involved in it.