3. Post-Earthquake Reconstruction in Chuschi and Quispillacta, Ayacucho

So, I will also discuss about the third case, which is an on-site reconstruction again and post-earthquake reconstruction in Chuschi and Quispillacta Ayacucho. So, this is an adobe house, so what they did was they have adopted because being in all these 5 or 6 settlements, the poverty is one of the common factors. And here, what they did was they tried to train them making adobe square blocks and train them in making these adobe houses.

In Chuschi and Quispillacta, the focus of post-earthquake reconstruction was on community involvement through training. The local population learned to make adobe square blocks, which are traditional building materials used in rural areas. This training aimed to empower the community and help them rebuild their homes effectively after the earthquake destroyed many houses. By teaching locals the necessary skills, the initiative not only addressed immediate housing needs but also provided long-term benefits by developing local skills.

Imagine a small town that has been hit by a storm, devastating many homes. Instead of bringing in outside contractors to build new houses, the local leaders decide to teach the community members how to build sturdy, storm-resistant homes. These workshops not only help families regain shelter but also encourage local craftsmanship, making the community stronger and more self-reliant.

And how to make some improvements on it and again, here also they consulted the people what kind of beneficiaries and they make involved and all the people in making these houses and everything but what we see is there is not many improvements have been made in public areas, like you can see the streets have been gradually deteriorating, the stone parts have not cleaned and uniform paving and ditches have not been cleaned.

While the reconstruction effort for homes was ongoing, public areas such as streets and communal spaces were largely neglected. This highlights a gap in the approach to reconstruction where individual housing was prioritized, but the collective spaces that benefit the community as a whole were overlooked. As a result, infrastructure like pavements and drainage systems fell into disrepair, indicating that successful rebuilding needs to address both private residences and public infrastructure.

Think of a neighborhood where a new school is built to replace one destroyed by a flood. While this is fantastic for students and families, if the roads leading to the school are full of potholes and the playground is overgrown, the community's quality of life remains low. Just as the school is essential for education, well-maintained public areas are crucial for community health and interaction.

So, this is where, there is a negligence on the public space itself but one interesting thing is people have invested the time and effort to actually to make this particular carved stone church in Quispillacta built because this is how one positive sign of it but somehow it has not been taken into the overall scheme, you know, how the same energy could have been better used here in making this well.

The community made efforts to build a beautiful carved stone church, showcasing their capability and motivation. However, this effort was not connected to a broader strategy for community development, which reflects a dependency on state institutions for aid. Individuals might feel discouraged from taking initiative in other community projects, leading to a reliance on external support rather than self-driven community enhancement.

Imagine a community where a few residents decide to restore a neglected park because they are passionate about it. While their efforts are commendable, if the community waits for government assistance before fixing roads and lighting, they miss opportunities to improve their environment actively. This scenario illustrates how local initiatives can flourish when community members are energized and motivated, but can stagnate if they rely solely on outside help.

So, why does it happen like this? Because people have become dependent and have lost their dignity and self-esteem because state institutions have been providing them whatever they need. So in that way that participation aspect have gradually come down and they are almost becoming mostly dependent yes on the state institutions support and either they are looking for any kind of external support or a cooperation.

Over time, as the community became more reliant on government support, their sense of initiative and capability diminished. When individuals feel that they can rely entirely on state resources, their participation in community-building activities often declines, leading to a cycle of dependence. The decrease in community involvement also means that traditional methods of communal labor and support, known as 'Ayni', become less prevalent, which weakens community ties and mutual responsibility among residents.

Consider a school where students grow dependent on teachers for every little task. Over time, they may struggle to take charge of their own projects or collaborate with peers effectively. However, a previously thriving group of students might have worked together to plan events and support each other, reflecting traditional community practices. Just as in the school, fostering independence in communities can be vital for sustainable and engaged neighborhoods.

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