Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(By James Plunkett)

What is it that makes kids (and adults) forget their problems? A circus is a good start.

Thirty-eight of Dr. Tony's little patients from Hogar Clinica San Francisco de Asis in Chaclacayo, and seven adult volunteers had a special day thanks to the members of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Lima who invited them to the Circo Magico, one of the season's best circuses.

Children requiring wheelchairs were placed up front and they couldn't believe their luck. When asked about their previous experience, most said it was their first circus. Percy liked the clowns best…and the jugglers… and of course, the tigers, lions, and reggae ton accompaniment. Jose Luis was most impressed by the music. Lily said she had been to a circus once before when she was 11, but was still impressed by the whole show, especially the acrobats on the high trapeze. Etman loved the trapeze artists, too, and his eyes were glued to the ceiling during the whole performance. Even the adults enjoyed it, especially Dr. Tony. He was ust as excited as his kids.

Naturally, a visit to the circus wouldn't be complete without a few snacks. The cooks at Hogar prepared sandwiches etc., and giant Peruvian popcorn highlighted the thrill. Chicha morada (purple maize juice) was served on the bus as they returned to Hogar after a day that helped them to forget their pain and illness, if only for a few hours.

Dr. Tony Lazzara is an American pediatrician from Tampa, Florida, who held an important position as a staff member at Emory University's high tech children’s hospital in Atlanta, Georgia -- often referred to as “The Harvard of the South”. He enjoyed his work, nursing children back to good health and participating in research to save babies suffering from some of the most precarious illnesses you can imagine. Nevertheless, he felt something was missing.

A trip to India with a colleague awakened him to the suffering of the poor, and he returned home even more frustrated. A spiritual calling provoked his resignation from a promising future at Grady Memorial Hospital and caused shock among his colleagues and concern within his family.

A San Franciscan Christian Order invited him to Peru to help out in a home for destitute seniors, where he labored for several years. With his heart still longing for saving ill infants and youth whose families could barely provide the most primitive medical care, he bought an old home in the town of Chaclacayo, just outside Lima. There, he started his own small clinic for the poorest children in need. “Hogar San Francisco de Asis”, or Home of San Francis, has been his home and the home of more than 1,500 sick children since.

The cost of running Hogar has been covered, miraculously, almost entirely by generous people from Tony's home community in Tampa, Florida. Support has also come from a small, web-based foundation established with the help of one of his brothers. On location, people can see Hogar's work and leave their contributions. It isn’t always enough but with the grace of God and the help of those who see Lazzara's work, he keeps the clinic going. Currently Hogar means home for more than 45 children ranging from infants to 18 years of age.

By inviting them all to a circus, Sunrise Rotary Club saw an opportunity to put a few smiles on the faces of these children who suffer from everything: cleft palate, TB, chronic heart diseases or even terminal cancer.

Despite the maladies of these beautiful, poor children, a few hours of clowns and acrobats provided the therapy needed to produce a smile from ear to ear and rekindle the hope of being healed; of being just like us - the lucky ones.

additional information:

A group of our local expats called "Friends of Tony’s Kids" organizes several events each year to raise funds for Clinica Hogar San Francisco de Asis in Chaclacayo.

On Friday eve, Sept. 29th, we will hold Spring Roundup II at the Swissotel ballroom in San Isidro at 8:00 P.M. where we will present a live U.S. style western show with musicians flown in especially from Missoula, Montana (USA) for the event. Everything from the food to the costumes will be genuine "Wild West", including Bonnie Ludwick and other guest singers. A full evening with dancing and games where all the guests are invited to come dressed in their jeans and cowboy shirts to enjoy the fun.

Of course Dr. Tony Lazzara, director of Hogar San Francisco will be there with many of his little patients to give all the supporters a chance to see how he cares for these poor children. He only receives love and satisfaction for his dedication to these children.
Every centimo of this event will go directly to Hogar and its care for more than 45 destitute children whose parents pay absolutely nothing for loved ones medical expenses and well-being during recovery.

A donation of only US $35.00 per participant will earn you the best night of the year and a chance to put more smiles on little people's faces who deserve our help.

For tickets, contact Beverly Cisneros at 222-0305, Robin Olson at 9-781-035, Jim Plunkett at 445-4019, or the ACAP office , 222-6359.

Free corkage. Beer and soft drinks available at the event. Don’t miss this one!