Thursday, April 9, 2009

Feelings, emotions and life lessons: Villa El Salvador



Longing to aid all those in need
We travel to lands so rarely seen.
Waves of emotion flutter inside
A day filled with visions of unfamiliar lives.
A smile, from ear to ear, smeared in dirt over time
Happiness washes their troubles.
If you’ve never seen a rose, and only a dandelion,
A dandelion is very beautiful.
Who really knows where need lies?
We seem to think we (and others) need so much, yet in reality…
Out of the most dismal circumstances seems to come the deepest inner joy!
Pray, we can resist the reflex to “fix” things!
Everything is perfect just as it is-
Understanding this is wisdom.
Sometimes we seem to forget the simplest things in a child’s life.
These simple joys in life are fun, laughter, and love.
It’s amazing to see the joy these children have when they are given the opportunity to play.
They become brothers and sisters and even though they fight,
All of them sleep together and have special moments.
Even when they are dressed the same,
The personalities they possess shine like the Peruvian sun.
The children here can teach us all about resilience.
Despite poverty or being removed from their families,
They laugh, play and enjoy the smallest things in life.
They cherish everyday joys, a lesson we could all learn from.
Internal boundaries broken expressed with physical emotion defined yesterday,
The most profound experience of my service in Lima.
As I look around Villa El Salvador,
It becomes clear to me that the community is center of life,
And the thing that holds us all together.
I remain in awe of the strength and determination,
And can’t help but wonder what life in the U.S. would be like if we adopted a similar approach.
Wednesday, March 25th was an emotional day for sure!
I struggled with properly focusing on a way to make it all make sense.
The people and their resilience was inspiring-
I will never forget the day.
Wednesday stirred up mixed emotions for me.
I was shocked and devastated to see the shacks these people are forced to live in.
Yet happy the PPA exists as an escape and safe paradise for these children.
The idea of needs and wants is currently under reevaluation for myself.
And this reevaluation was exemplified and expanded on upon going and tucking in los ninos in por al noche.
Many had to step aside and take uno momento to compose themselves
And John reminding us the children are safe.
Not only were they safe but they were clean and able to sleep in a cleaner environment
As opposed to the conditions we experienced very briefly as we walked through the shantytowns.
I think it’s phenomenal that the citizens of the shantytowns seemed so happy despite their situation!!
I was saddened by the children in the PPA but reminded myself that they have it better than at home in V. Salvador.
We need to have our eyes and mind open to see and learn
But most important we should always have our hearts open to understand others
Because there shouldn’t be a country without culture,
A society (people) without education opportunities,
A kid without family’s love
And/or a person without passion for life.
Everybody deserves a fair chance at life.


- Written by the whole team after an emotion-filled day visiting the shantytowns of Villa El Salvador and reading bedtime stories to 3-year-old children at the PPA

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