Peru Service Program Blog

Opportunity to serve...

2011-12-06T22:15:00.004-05:00

I volunteered to come to Peru in order to participate in the facilitating of teaching conversational English at the National Agriculture University at the Molina. My personal reason for coming to Peru was to learn more about the culture of the people in Peru. I wanted to expand my knowledge about the people at this wonderful country.

After being here for a week, I have achieved my personal objective for coming. I am witnessing how a multiplicity of people co-exist. Although the USA is older as an independent nation, the Peruvian people can teach Americans how to coexist. A person’s ethnicity in Peru does not seem to be a negative trait.

The students see to enjoy attending our conversational classes. They are eager to learn. Two students told me that they are learning English so they could acquire gainful employment.

Facilitating the conversational English classes have been highly enjoyable. My acceptance from the students has been a joy to my current stay

I wish I could do more than I am currently doing. The students have motivated and encouraged me to enjoy my stay here.

My objectives for coming here can only be confirmed by the students, the university officials and Global Volunteers.

I wish to thank Global Volunteers for giving me an opportunity to serve.

Submitted by Rick Coger

Reflections from a 2011 CDLN Volunteer

2011-04-14T09:35:00.003-05:00

It is always heartwarming and encouraging to read volunteer reflections as their service programs come to a close. We have already had numerous volunteer teams serve in Peru this winter and spring, and we would love to share some of the kind words shared by a recent volunteer. Enjoy, and become inspired!!

Final Day Reflections by Volunteer Shanna

"I have so enjoyed my stay here. The Peruvians I have met are kind, friendly and helpful.

Our guide Tatya has been so conscientious and gracious. Tonight she took us to a Peruvian restaurant named "Tanta" and it was just that - So Much. Since I think this is the last time I will write in the journal, I want to say how much I´ve enjoyed everyone´s company and how much I value these new friendships. This experience here in Peru, these friendships, and the faces of those energetic, beautiful and challenging boys will always have a place in my heart!"

Only Three Days Left...

2011-03-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

TEAM JOURNAL FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

QUOTE: "A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one dad."

This morning we started with our usual morning meeting, faced our usual morning traffic, and proceded to CDLN. We all had full schedules for the day. Larry spent the morning painting. He wore his orange painting shirt, which worked fined until he quit using orange paint and switched to green!

Ingrid joined Shanna and I in varnishing "banos" and then tables. In the afternoon she rejoined her young charges. After lunch and dishes Larry returned to his family for painting and homework - followed by his debut as a soccer goalie. We will tell no tails about his performance.

Shanna and I returned to try to help with homework, but when the cheering started with the arrival of high school students to tudor, we knew our efforts would not be up to those standards. After the homework some of the family adjourned to play soccer. This was after the high school students left, because due to the volume of homework there was no soccer with the high school kids. The soccer game varied between 3 and 17 participants. Don´t know how they kept track of who was on which team, or, if they did.

At about 5 our whole team visited the family where Michelle had been working. (We miss Michelle and Andrew.) About 20 3-5 year olds were stretched out on the hard floor sound asleep. When it was time to wake them for dinner it was a major effort to get them all on their feet, which did not necessarily mean awake. We joined them on the early dinner shift. Some of them continued their naps by putting their heads down on the dinner table. After dinner we atteded the Prayer Service, as we did last Tuesday. It would be nice to bottle all of that energy displayed in the chapel. The leaders were very young and did a very impressive job.

It is hard to believe, but, as Ingrid has reminded us there only 3 days left after today.

JOHN BAGGLEY

Donations Made My Service Possible

2011-03-19T13:25:00.003-05:00

Last year, through the Global Volunteers website, I raised enough money for my trips to both Peru and Ecuador. The only thing I ended up paying for was my flight on both trips. How'd I do it?

I put a letter in my church bulletin and received an overwhelming amount of supplies that I was able to split between both trips for donations. I ended up bringing at least one extra suitcase on both trips filled with supplies for the children. When I signed up for the trips, I wrote a letter explaining what I was doing and why, asking for any sort of donation. I sent the letter to all my family close and extended as well as family friends, neighbors, teachers, distant relatives etc. I received an overwhelming response and received donations up until the week before I was to leave to Peru on my first trip.

I took the semester off from school last fall, and when I found Global Volunteers, it was a perfect fit. I found out about the program through a girl at my school who had done a trip to Brazil with her mother a few years ago. The fact that Global Volunteers provided me with the means to create a fundraising page was very helpful. It was perfect for me to fundraise through. Global Volunteers is the only volunteer program I found that allowed you to fully fundraise all of your costs and helped you in doing so. All other programs were much more expensive and more of a volunteer 'vacation' rather than a strictly volunteer trip.

This has been a wonderful, fulfilling memory for me. I encourage you to do it.
-Meagan Minott

The First Day at CDLN

2011-03-14T20:47:00.000-05:00

TEAM JOURNAL MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2011

WRITTEN BY VOLUNTEER ANDREW

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: "Dance with whatever shows up." ~ Michelle

Today was eventful and tiring. Tatya gave us a detailed tour of the orphanage, and then dropped us off at our families.

While the children were in school, we helped around the house: making beds, sewing, and sorting books. Lunch was delicious, and it was fun to watch the kids gratefully gulp down their food after a long day of school. Some of us stayed to wash the dishes, while others took the kids back to their buildings. Afterwards, the kids went ballistic. There was a lot of yelling and excitement, especially because an English school from Peru came by and played with them.

Most of us grew tired, and were glad to see Tatya's face at the end of the day. It felt good to take a shower back at the room, and then we went out for our first real Peruvian meal, which was fantastic.

I think I speak for all of us when I say that it was a great day.

La Molina Partnership to Continue!!

2011-02-28T13:18:00.003-05:00

As many of you will remember, Global Volunteers kicked off a new host partnership with La Molina Agrarian University in 2010. After four successful pioneer teams, we are happy to announce and confirm that this partnership will continue in 2011 and beyond!! For the time being, our teams in August and January will primarily offer this teaching service opportunity with hopes of expanding the opportunity to a larger number of teams in the years to come.

If you would like to learn a little bit more about this wonderful university in Lima, please click on the following link: http://www.lamolina.edu.pe/portada/html/about/history.htm

If teaching conversational English at La Molina is something that you would like to explore, please do not hesitate to call (800) 487-1074 or visit www.globalvolunteers.org today!!

The Final Days...

2011-02-23T18:48:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Message of the day: "One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody."

As usual, Marcia & I were picked up at the hotel at 8:15 a.m. Marcia started her day working with toddlers from 3 to 5 years old, later in the morning she was assigned children between 5 to 8 years old.

John continued his garden work, mostly clipping and watering. Marcia, Tatya and John go for a late lunch at Qubba restaurant. Had a good talk about Global Volunteers and the service program in Lima. In the afternoon, we continued our work with the siblings, most of it spent on various puzzles.

Marcia and John returned to the hotel in late afternoon and ended the day with dinner at the hotel!

Written by: Volunteer John

Another Beautiful Day!

2011-02-22T20:22:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Message of the day: "The best way to find your self is to lose your self in the service of others."

As always a beautiful day!

After our meeting with Tatya, I played 2 at a time with the toddlers mostly boys, they love play-doh and the tower. Today was different, as all of a sudden 14 dentist (or aides) arrived, putting up tables and chairs down the hall from where we were sitting. They checked the kids one by one. One of “my toddlers had taken a bite of play dooh and one of the PPA aides scolded her for having blue green play-doh in her teeth!

After a lunch at the same nice place as yesterday, then headed by taxi down town to a party store to buy a piñata and treats for the small farewell party for 30 children. Our final week!

John gardened and watered in the morning but we made him come with us, after buying our stuffs we went to a store to buy clippers and a new rake for the PPA. Many stores have US products and the malls seen very busy. We returned to the hotel tired and helped Tatya fill the sacks and piñata. Tatya hopes to have 30 at the party, then 30 each at future parties so all children will have their turns. A rest, then supper in the still unfinished dining room- we were the only ones- and the end to a busy day.

Written by: Volunteer Marcia

Peace begins with a smile...

2011-02-17T18:49:00.000-05:00

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Message of the Day: "Peace begins with a smile."

We started the day at 8:30 A.M. with a morning meeting at PPA. We received our assignments and Marcia continued her work with toddlers, one or two at a time. John worked in the garden area, mostly sweeping and watering. We lunched at Qubba restaurant and, walked both ways, which was a nice exercise for “old folks”, Marcia and John.

In the afternoon we worked with siblings and it involved several things. i.e. puzzles, bracelets, the dictionary, clothes, etc.

I should also mention that we had our Spanish class for 30 minutes before working with the siblings.

The volunteering day was finished at 5:00 P.M. We returned to the hotel and later had dinner at Donatello.

Written by: Volunteer John

Day One at the PPA!

2011-02-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

Monday, February 14, 2011

Message of the Day: "Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." – Anonymous

Today was our first day at the PPA. Tatya started our day with the morning meeting that included John’s journal entry and the message of the day presented by Tatya. Soon after that our tour of PPA began.

We visited the homes (pavillons), classroom areas and play areas of the PPA. We have met various groups of adorable children who graciously greeted the Global Volunteers in their homes. Our first day introductions also included meeting sisters & other staff in charge of the respective age groups, the gardeners that can for sure use John’s hand with all the work they need to do to upkeep the beautiful green areas at the PPA. We also had an informative meeting with Raquel, the director of the school.

We walked to lunch at a lovely restaurant called Qubba. In the afternoon John and Marcia interacted with the siblings groups. The last 30 minutes at PPA was spent on learning Spanish with Tatya. John and Marcia were very appreciative of Tatya’s efforts to share her language with them and definitely want to keep up their classes during the next two weeks.

Upon the arrival from the PPA, we met (or reunited – in Dorota’s case) with the two former Global Volunteers from MN, Marcia and Greg Potvin. They recently completed a service program in Lima and after the post program travel will be soon heading back home in MN. We all enjoyed their lovely company this evening.

All in all, the full day was had by all and we look forward to what our upcoming time at the PPA will bring.

Kelsey PaintsForPeru & Volunteers at PPA!

2011-02-04T14:48:00.004-05:00

Recent PPA volunteer Kelsey of Minnesota took a creative approach to raising funds for her Peru service program!!

Kelsey started a blog called PaintForPeru and painted pictures to help raise funds for her impending program.

The photo above is just one from her program in early 2011!! Please visit paintforperu.blogspot.com to learn more about Kelsey's effort and view some of her truly lovely photos with the children of PPA!

Final Hours at La Molina...

2011-01-28T17:33:00.000-05:00

Friday, January 28, 2011

** La Molina **

Written by: Volunteer Greg

We arrived at La Moilina and were greeted as always by Gorki. We went to the teacher room where he gave each of us a box of candy from his hometown of Arequipa. We also found sweet notes from Claudia, who made our time at La Molina very enjoyable. She is a very special young woman. We next went to the luckuma orchard with Giovanni. It was fun to see the fruits that we have so enjoyed in the ice cream. On our way back to our rooms we observed a group attempting to collect semen from a stallion. It was pretty funny as the horse attempted to have some fun and the handlers kept interfering. It did not appear that they were having much success.

Once we got back to school we headed almost immediately to lunch. We were joined by most of the staff at Idiomas including the gardener and the custodial staff. We were pleased that the rector and two vice-rectors of the University also joined us. The food was pretty amazing as we tried goat, trout and beef dishes. The meal began with toasts of Pisco Sour by Gorki and Arturo and continued with much discussion. It was a delightful way to spend part of our last day.

Upon return to the school we gathered our last classes and spent some time working on our English. We also talked about what the students gained from the classes and what else they would like to see in the classes. We exchanged farewells and received small gifts from several of the students. It was very rewarding, but also sad as we started the process of separating from these very special people.

The final hour was spent with Gorki, Martha and Mari Carmen. We were toasted with Pisco Sours and given certificates, lapel pins and small note pads from the school. We also received personal gifts from Martha. We said our goodbyes and headed out to the van with Gorki at his post and Claudia accompanying us for one last hug and goodbye. It has been two wonderful weeks and as always with GV, I feel that I have received much more than I gave.

Our final drive took 42 minutes, the longest commute in two weeks, but it did not seem long because Jorge talked politics. It has been so good to have Arturo in the van as we have learned a lot from his interaction with Jorge.

A Day of Meetings, Service & Peruvian Dancers!

2011-01-27T21:57:00.001-05:00

Thursday, January 27, 2011

** PPA **

Written by: Volunteer Greg

Another morning awoken by a pleasant phone call from our wonderful group leader, Françoise. Usually I am unaware of the day’s events due to a short attention span myself, but this morning I was pleasantly surprised to shake the hand of Bud Philbrook, the Co-Founder and President of Global Volunteers. Bud was a very generous and gracious man. He started off by thanking us all for our support and continued to speak of some global issues and his ideas of improving them. Bud believes that the importance of temporary volunteers is huge, and if only 1 percent of the developed world were involved much of the issues such as 400 million starving children could be immensely improved.

The short trip to the PPA was quickly followed by our time with the 4-6 year old girls. They seem to really be in their own mindset when working on arts and crafts. As I assisted the little ones gluing and coloring I attempted improving my very limited Spanish vocabulary with Violeta, the young girls teacher. She seemed to enjoy this, for she was also trying to improve her English as well.

I later made my way to the 15-year-old boys and played some more soccer with them. They go hours on end in the hot sun playing game after game; their endurance is impressive and far superior to mine. When we finally took a short break, the young boys and I noticed a fair amount of smoke coming from across the street, and realized that the mental institution had a small fire in need of attention. We watched as they put out the fire, and I continued to improve my Spanish, by the boys pointing to the fire, smoke and firemen.

The young men began to open up to me a bit more. Last week they pointed out some of the graffiti to me, and said that it was bad, and they hadn’t a clue that did it. Today, they began showing me it as artwork and also explained their methods of not getting caught. They clearly are in need of more attention, because it seems they are pretty much on their own for the majority of the day, as most staff is focused on the younger ones.

Rosa, who is the president of the women’s volunteer association sat down with us and updated us on some of the current issues. She explained how many of the teenage girls have begun developing some signs of depression.

Dinner was great, and I especially enjoyed the cow tongue. Dinner was followed by a show with Peruvian dancers. My favorite was the scissors dance which consisted of two men dancing with scissors clapping to a beat simultaneously dancing even on their heads!

I went out salsa dancing with Frank, a new acquaintance of mine from the front desk. He has been extremely helpful and even gave me some tips on salsa dancing. I definitely have much room for improvement.

So till next time!

A Tour of La Molina (& More Teaching)!!

2011-01-25T20:25:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, January, 25

** La Molina **

Written by: Volunteer Theresa

Quote for the Day: “When ending a day you should never say “I could have”, “I should have”, or “I would have”. At the end of the day you should always say “I did”. ~ Author Unknown

The La Molina team finally toured the campus. Our Guide Giovanni was great. He was from the advanced English class.

The UNALM specializes in agrarian and environmental sciences and technologies. It is the only Peruvian University with a graduate school which offers 6 Doctoral Degrees and over 20 Masters Degree Programs, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Meteorology, Economics, Biology, Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering are a few of the programs offered. There are many research and extension programs as well.

We visited the Dairy Herd, which produces milk to sell and use for cheese, cream, butter, ice cream and yogurt. We could not resist lucuma ice cream on the spot which tastes liked butter pecan. Thank you Arturo for treating the team. In addition to cows they have goats, poultry, guinea pigs, swine, llama, alpaca and sheep.

We visited the produce and meat market. They also sold herbs and cosmetics. There was a bakery that specialized in sweet potato bread. W e saw a variety of ornamental plants. All these items were harvested or made on campus. Oh well it’s back to class.

The three language classes met today as a group for a songfest. The words to the songs were given out and vocabulary discussed before we met. Marcia borrowed a guitar and led the group of students, staff and office personal in song and the rest is history. Needless to say, a rousing good time was had by all, an event that will be remembered.

All classes continue to work on vocabulary, enunciation and pronunciation. The intermediate and advanced groups worked with idioms and grammar. The basic worked with pronouns and possessives. All classes encourage talking, talking, talking. The advance group is individualizing to help students with letters, papers etc. Our students continue to improve and the teachers continue to be proud of that improvement.

Editor’s Note: Theresa brought 52 magazines donated by her library, with titles such as Horticulture, Scientific American, Popular Science, Horse and Rider Etc. They were so valued by her students! Each student in all La Molina English classes left with 1 or 2 magazines, a gift that seemed to take their breath away. An American magazine would cost a great deal in Peru and are almost impossible to find. Thank you Theresa!

Friday at the PPA!

2011-01-21T17:43:00.000-05:00

Friday, January 21, 2011

** PPA **

Written by: Volunteer Kay

Quote of the Day: “It is not the malicious acts that will do us in, but the appalling silence and indifference of good people.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our day began in our typical fashion. After breakfast we met for the sharing of our thought for the day and journal entries as well as taking care of daily living business.

The group at PPA arrived and Dick checked the playground. When that was completed and the leaves were bagged, Dick continued yesterday’s work with his friend. He helped get the scaffolding together, but thankfully he didn’t feel the need to try it out. A new light was installed while never turning off the electricity.

Anne continued taking the toddlers out to play. She began her day with 2 balloons each on a string for the children to hit – one broke and she saw the other being carried off as she returned with 2 other children. Anne shared with us that she doesn’t know what the children are saying so she just says, “Si!” Won’t she be surprised when she receives the bill for 3 college educations from Peru?

Illness struck in the infant area. One little boy had spent the night in the infirmary and was still there. Another boy was taken to be checked but did return. Sue is very impressed with the care the children receive. A volunteer pre-school teacher worked with a 10 month developmentally delayed boy. She volunteers weekly during the summer and did a super job. She said that he receives physical therapy 3 times a week.

This morning, Kay, Kristen and Bea gathered whiteboards and shaving cream to dive into some finger-painting with the 4-6 year old girls. When they arrived, everyone was just starting an outside breakfast, which the girls finished quickly. While waiting for the trash pickup, they taught them the “Hokey Pokey” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. The staff wanted to do the Hokey Pokey as much as the girls. There is a real desire on their part to soak up as much English as possible.

After our songfest we brought out the tables and whiteboards. Each girl received a gob of shaving cream on her board squirted with a requested color. For the next hour they played in the cream learning colors in English and covering everything around them with shaving cream.

A good time was had by all except for perhaps Sister Anna Marie who is an advocate of “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Kay believes that is Sister’s thought for each day. As you may have guessed, the next half hour was spent cleaning tables, chairs, girls and clothes. We ended the morning in the park.

Even after show and tell by the waiter at the restaurant we were surprised at the lunch we received, but it was yummy!

After lunch, Anne headed back to the hostal, Françoise and Dick went shopping and the rest of us headed back to the orphanage. We were very glad to see Greg waiting for us at the office, as he had been under the weather to be with us in the morning.

We are still “working” on the afternoon Siblings’ Program; however, we did make some “progress.” Only one child was missing. We were all together again in a playground area.

Françoise and Dick returned with chain, boards and other materials to fix the beloved swings – a new project for Dick for the coming week.

We finished the week tired but truly rewarded by the interactions we have with the children and staff.

We are Seeing Progress in our Students!

2011-01-20T21:11:00.000-05:00

Thursday, January 20, 2011

**Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina **

Written by: Volunteer Arturo

As we descended from the van at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina Language Center, the director, Gorki, was there to welcome us just has he has every single day we have been working there.

Early in our day we asked that our lunch routine change a little. La Duna and El Gato are the two restaurants on campus. Per our ever so polite request, the administration happily agreed to allow us to dine exclusively at El Gato. We are now able to order anything from the menu. At our al fresco lunch table today various members of our group enjoyed fruit salads with and without yogurt and honey, lettuce and vegetable salad, quinoa soup, pasta, Peruvian dishes such as Papa a la Huancaina and arroz con pollo, as well as ham and cheese sandwiches. We were somewhat surprised to learn that all of the other Global Volunteers teams preferred the La Duna Restaurant that we chose to delete from our repertoire.

In terms of our classes, we are all seeing progress in our students and are thoroughly enjoying our interactions with them. At the beginning level, on the first day this week the students didn’t understand the teachers’ humor and didn’t laugh when they should have. On the second day, the students laughed a little. And today the laughed a lot, especially when it came to the backside of the Hokey Pokey. A true sign of progress! Attendance today at this level was 7 to 8 students. At the intermediate level today students were each given two postcards of Minnesota and were asked to describe them. This generated a lot of language and many questions about the state. There was also instruction in phonics. 16 to 17 students attended the intermediate conversation class and 6 attended the intermediate language skills class.

At the advanced level much of the class was spent reading an article from “Science News” and discussing the impact of global warming on biodiversity in the South American tropical rain forests. Work on idioms, phrasal verbs, and pronunciation continues. 6 students attended the advanced conversation class and 5 attended theadvanced language skills class.

We agreed that all of us would end our last class at 4.45 PM so as to depart promptly at 5 PM. Our tour of the campus is scheduled for 10 AM to noon next Tuesday. We will be picked up in a van upon our arrival. The official letter of permission with the required seal and signatures authorizing our tour of the campus is being processed now. Ours will be an "official" visit.

And so the story continues...

2011-01-18T19:02:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

** PPA **

Written by: Volunteer Dick

And so the story continues..... after a great breakfast at the hotel we headed to the work site at PPA.

The formal meeting was held in our PPA office and then the daily tasks began. Sue and Anne headed off to work with the babies and little ones. A morning full of smiles, giggles dribble and feedings. Kristen, Kay and Bea started a craft program with the young girls aged 4 to 6 years. About 12 girls were in their charge. Greg Junior, headed off to his 2 hours plus marathon of football in the sun. I tried to fix the swings using rotting rope,

We toured the sites picking up straying children everywhere and then playing games with the 5 to 7 year old boys. Overall a good and hardworking morning was had by all...... and we were ready for the lunch break ... which once again was fantastic.

In the afternoon plans were in hand for the ËNCUENTIO DE HERMANOS program to attempt to get family siblings staying at PPA a chance to get together for an afternoon. Four families had been picked by the PPA management.

1- MOSCOSO family consisting of Jessica 10, Aquiles 16, Alberto 10, and Anna 5
2- TORRES family consisting of Lizaudio 5 and brotherArron 4.
3- FARFAN family consisting of Jefferson 5, Cielo 7 and Rosemary 10.
4- RONDON family consisting of Jesus 6, Maria del Carmen 5 and Claudia 4.

The team headed out to find these siblings only to discover that the daily structure had just been changed. Greg and I were able to locate the two boys from the Moscoso family and we spent the afternoon with these two spirited brothers. Aquiles has a hearing and speech problem but that did not stop us having a great afternoon of colouring, playing ball, dancing and learning a few magic tricks. I think the boys enjoyed their afternoon with us and especially getting one on one care.

As for the rest of the Global staff..... they joined the rest of the school aged approx 4 to 7 years ... and the nuns ... on an outside walking visit to the local recreation centre for an afternoon of sports activities.

Arriving back at the hotel around 5.30 to 6 pm.... some went to shower, some went to rest, and some of us wrote journals awaiting for dinner which tonight was at the hotel.

First Day of Service in Lima!

2011-01-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

Monday, January 17, 2011

** La Molina **

Quote of the day: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou

The day began with anticipation as we headed off to our assignments with Jorge at the wheel of the van. Traffic didn't seem too bad as we headed to PPA and our group meeting. After a quick tour of that campus and a short lesson in Spanish we left for La Molina University.

Upon arrival we entered through locked gates and were greeted with graciousness by Consuelo, Claudia, and Martha. The campus is beautiful with much foliage and a peaceful atmosphere. Gorki, Maria del Carmen, and Olenka joined us in a welcoming room where we shared a glass of wine and toasted the success of our endeavor and the success of our partnership. In Gorky's welcome he indicated his pleasure in having us on campus. On the table in front of the room were examples of the beautiful produce of Peru; textiles, potatoes (417 varieties), chilis, maize, chicha morada (purple corn), clavo (cloves) and cinnamon. The pepper, aji colorado, a long dark pepper was given special recognition as the pepper used in many delicious Peruvian dishes.

We were given a packet, which included the list of our students, the schedule and the number of our classroom. Theresa and Jan will teach the beginning class, Greg and Marcia intermediate and Arturo and Pat advanced. A walk up the stairs to the teacher room introduced us to our lockers, bathroom, a small kitchen area, and a table around which we will be able to plan our lessons.

Each of our hosts is warm and welcoming. We have a good feeling about the time we will spend here even though the exact work we will be doing is yet to be determined. So much depends on the wants of the students and the degree with which they understand and use the English language.

Martha informed us that our task is threefold:

*provide an opportunity for the students to learn from a native English speaker

*encourage student learning and participation without a final evaluation from an instructor

*provide an enriching cultural exchange

We gathered with the Peruvians for lunch at one of the two restaurants on campus for chicken, rice, salad, and French fries.

After lunch our team took some time to brainstorm possible activities for the first day, which would encourage participation by the students in order to maximize the short time we will have together. Our first class will begin tomorrow - 1:00- 3:00 with conversational focus and the second class 3:00-5:00 and will include grammar, idioms, and other areas that will enhance understanding and proper use of the language.

Before leaving for home, we walked the campus enjoying the beautiful setting and the friendly people. Jorge picked us up at 3:45 and took us home in only 35 minutes, as the traffic at that time was light.

We rested and then met at 7:20 for a walk to the Italian restaurant and good conversation before meeting with Guillermo in the lobby for a short presentation on 2011 Peru.

Peace,
Volunteer Marcia

Reflections from a PPA Volunteer!

2011-01-13T16:59:00.002-05:00

Written by Mary Ann Combs

I worked in the toddlers section in the mornings and in the siblings program in the afternoons. I surely enjoyed working with Carmen Montes in the toddlers section! She is a wonderful and caring person who gave the children much love along with needed discipline. We enjoyed getting to know each other despite the language barrier.

I spent my time with a very small (15 pound) 2 year old who had been at the PPA less than a month - and just seeing him make some emotional adjustments each day was very gratifying. He, Sebastian, was rather listless the first few days, so to finally see a few smiles and hear him utter a few sounds felt like great progress!! When you see the children, many of whom have no parents, it puts a perspective on the lives of abundance we have in the U.S.

When I consider how my work with Global Volunteers effects "waging peace through understanding between cultures," I must say: It is truly the only way to achieve a real and lasting piece.

Mary Ann

We Have Been Challenged, We Have Grown!

2010-12-29T16:24:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, December 29th

Quote of the Day: "Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Our week at PPA has been one filled with great adventures and many moments which have pushed all of us out of our comfort zone. We have seen so much and done so much with the Children at PPA.

So off we went to our tasks of holding and playing with babies and doing crafts with the older kids. We found that we all worked seamlessly as a team today and managed to shuttle ourselves and any books, games or crafts to the various groups throughout the day. There were moments of sheer joy as the kids came running to us and requested games and crafts we had done with them the day before. There is something unique and special about being in a foreign country and being welcomed and recognized by children with expressions of joy in their face and their arms opened wide.

We have been challenged, we have grown as a result of this experience. In our hearts we can leave knowing that we brought a lot of love, care, compassion and joy into the lives of children who need so much and have so little.

Written by Julie Deignan

Today's Mission: Paint, paint, paint!!

2010-12-23T22:13:00.001-05:00

Thursday, December 23rd

Quote of the Day: ¨It´s not the number of years in your life that count, but the life in your years.¨ - Abe Lincoln

Myrian started our team meeting around 9am. Addy and Judith delivered a remarkable account in our team journal. Mary added a tender message from her friend in Daytona, FL, who is an orphan. We were given information about our Christmas celebration for the next day and our flight plan logistics for the airport. Unfortunately, we´ll miss our team members, Elizabeth, Cammy and Missy who leave Friday a.m. After breakfast our traveling troup left for CDLN.

The mission today was - paint, paint, paint! We did manage our mission well, consequently, the San Antonia and the San Martin pavillions are better - with colorful aspects. At the end of the day, we were in agreement that our highlight today was finishing our project.

We participated in the CDLN lunch routine. Most of the volunteers sat individually with the boys at their group tables. We talked and listened to the children. At Lane´s table, the question was asked, “Who is your hero?” From the group of four boys, one said his mother, two said Jesus and one said himself. Although the the English-Espanol was broken, the conversation remained interesting.

We experienced relating to the boys more in depth, but we as team members experienced relating with each other. For example, it was mentioned that Mary is an absolute astute Foreman or rather Forewoman. She is el jefe!

Connections become important. We learned that Millie, one of the CDLN office workers and previous GV staff, is going to Dallas, TX in order to study for her Masters in Social Work. We saw the children connect with some of our team members in a special way. They made pictures with messages thanking them for their service.

At 5pm we returned to our vehicles for the trek back to our "home away from home," the Torreblanca Hostal.

Written by Lane York

Day One of Our Journey

2010-12-21T11:22:00.000-05:00

12.21.10 Journal Entry

Thought for the day: "To whom much is given, much is expected." - John F Kennedy

Day one of our journey began with a great sense of easy and comfort with our group of volunteers. We were eager to begin our work with the children. the trip to CDLN was an eye-opener for all of us as it was our first real look at the economic situation on the District where CDLN is located.

When we arrived on site, we received a tour of the campus and Brother Hugo distributed our assignments in each of the Pavilions. We then observed the Christmas celebration in the cafeteria and much to our surprise Barney was the center attraction for the children. The boys were so excited to see Barney that they pinned him to the wall while attempting to hug Barney in a way which resembled mauling him.

As we went to our individual assignments, we were all so excited to be of service to the children. At 5pm, feeling exhausted and in need of showers, we headed back to the hotel with a palpable sense of pride. Tomorrow several of us are likely to be very sore when we get out of bed.

Written by Melissa Walker

"Spring into Service" in Peru!!

2010-12-14T12:44:00.001-05:00

“Spring into Service” with Global Volunteers to receive a special limited discount offer for our March and April teams!

Four or more volunteers who apply by January 31 for any of these 28 teams in 16 countries will receive a discount of $200 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for one-, two- or three-week international programs or $100 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for USA programs. No other discounts apply.

Please encourage others to volunteer in our five fundamental project areas: education (especially promotion of girls education), labor and community infrastructure, health care, child care, and food and nutrition.

Call us at 800-487-1074 for details and we'll assist you every step of the way. Our worldwide host communities can’t wait to welcome you!!

Check out this link for more details & service program dates: http://globalvolunteer.org/special/springspecial.asp

Peru Service Program Dates, March & April Teams:
12-Mar-11 to 26-Mar-11
26-Mar-11 to 9-Apr-11
23-Apr-11 to 7-May-11

Vote for Global Volunteers this Weekend!

2010-11-18T16:11:00.004-05:00

From November 15 - November 21 the Star Tribune newspaper is holding a contest entitled 'Full Page Project' amongst MN non-profits and the winner will receive a free full page ad in the paper!

Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!

Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link): http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815

We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, and post it on your personal Facebook page. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting goes until 5 p.m. Sunday!

Thank you for your support.

Team Journal - October 15th

2010-10-15T09:41:00.001-05:00

Friday, October 15th

Thought for the day: "Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." Henry Ward Beecher

Hooray! Just some clean-up and a little trim paint and our two-man team has repainted the study hall at Pavilion San Antonio. The second coat went on he baseboards after Jose helped with the paint formulation and technique.

In addition to getting brown paint on my green pants and pale skin, I worked with Flor again on her English lessons. We studied the time of day, locations and directions, distinguishing between 'at' and 'on'. One of the multiple choice answers was the location of the Mississippi River and Lake Superior. Being from Michigan, I could easily draw a map of Lake Superior, so I went ahead and filled in the continental U.S. with the Mississippi and the Rockies and the Appalachians. Then I sang out the rhyme that many of us learn in elementary school: M-I-S-S, I-S-S, I-P-P-I. Flor got the biggest kick out of that. And even after lunch she was still practicing it. Comparing our learning, we found that volunteers from Michigan, Maryland and even Idaho are taught the same way -- now we`re bringing it to Peru. Just wait until Flor hears the alphabet song!

Since I`m the first to leave Lima, and my flight is fairly early, I wouldn`t be able to have dinner with the group as usual for a Friday. So Myrian accommodated my schedule by having the 'farewell' dinner tonight. The Junius restaurant puts on a fabulous floor show of some traditional Peruvian dances and music. We had a front row table too. Truly and enjoyable evening, with or without pisco.

There were so many experiences, it`s hard to distill it down to one thing, one instance, or one feeling, but the closes I find is 'vibrant' -- whether it`s the colors of historical native dress, the facades of the homes, the lights and neon of the casinos and businesses, to the people selling even the smallest candies in the streets, and the energetic boys at CDLN, Lima is alive and vibrant.

Denise Hazelrigg

Team Journal - October 11th

2010-10-11T09:37:00.000-05:00

Monday, 11 October

A fun Monday, we started the morning by finishing the painting on the doors in the kids building. Some we had worked on last week. Several pointed out to me that I had a sore head. What had happened was a lump of paint hit me there, and wiping just smudged it. Finishing the painting on the door, I became an English teacher with 2 of the ladies working there with the boys. I do not know their names, but I will be teaching them again on Tuesday. While I do, they each teach me new Spanish words too. I felt proud of myself at lunch, most of the guys wanted me to sit with them. After our lunch, they wanted me to take part in their dance class too, but I just watched. Some boys practiced their English with me, and I practiced my Spanish with them, we all learned new words.

I forgot to tell you that I taught the boys math too. It did take me a while until I saw what their math symbols meant, I`d never seen division signs that the boys used. All the way back in history to Greek development of geometry, and Issac Newton`s calculus. They`ll have to learn standard symbols used in physics and engineering... perhaps later.

Barry Serini

Team Journal - October 5th

2010-10-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, 5th October

Thought for the day: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

We knew ahead of time that today wouldn´t be normal, but who wants normal anyway? The boys wouldn´t be running around at CDLN until much later, so we had plenty of time to see the grounds, the pavilions, the animals, the fields of vegetables and to meet Brother Hugo and some of the tutors and other volunteers.

We snuck a taste of the panettone that the boys make in the bakery of CDLN and sell for special occasions. We had lunch early. We had a few tasks given to us by Jose and then Flor. With Jose, we helped feed the animals [now remember, I said that the boys were not yet on the grounds], I mean the guinea pigs and the chickens. We first went all the way around the vegetable fields to the back where they pack the produce, such as cabbage, broccoli and lettuce, then we loaded a wheelbarrow full of the discarded outer leaves of the cabbage and the woody stems of the broccoli and even grabbed some leaf lettuce. I swear these discards were better than some salad bars I´ve seen back home. Then Jose pushed the barrow back to San Martin [the pavilion, not the city] to the cages. Barry and I then spread out the leaves for the guinea pigs and then I chopped some lettuce for Barry to give to the chickens.

We followed that with getting some windows ready to paint at San Antonio for Ms. Flor. She wants the pavilion like new in time for the October 24 anniversary of CDLN, so she has a paint scheme implemented throughout, the windows and doors remain black, but the study area will be lighter with beige and brown and the inner columns richer with ochre, followed by the hallways painted ivory. Now we just have to find the time and the paint. We made it through sanding the inner and outer doors today, we´ll see what tomorrow will bring.

Back at the hotel, Barry and I decided to try out the suggestion made by Jeannette about Cafe San Antonio. Apparently, we need to try out the desserts (covered by Global) and the maricuya pisco sours (not covered by Global). It just goes to show that you can´t make everyone happy all of the time.

At dinner the only splurge was an ice cappucino for each of us. Cafe San Antonia ranks 4 stars for selection and inexpensive prices. The location, facade and uniformed waitstaff at first made us feel underdressed in our jeans and tshirts, but we quickly saw that it was populated by local friends, just like an ice cream parlor back home. In all, a pleasant experience.

Denise Hazelrigg

Team Journal - October 4th

2010-10-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

Monday, October 4th

We each started our first full day in Lima, Peru, learning about what was expected of us. We had a nice cool day, many folks with jackets, but some of us were OK without. We had a meeting early, introducing ourselves, and reviewing our goals. Meals here were great, nice large servings that I would fix myself back in Annapolis, MD. Fortunetly for us, our tour bus was late, and we went throughout the city. Our host never stopped talking, repeating over and over in Espanol y Ingles tambien (my spell checker did not work on this Spanish)! I am in the process of reviewing my Spanish again, and await the kids tomorrow, Monday. We expect a variety of age groups of boys. I’m wondering how they`ll be. We shall find out.

BARRY SERINI

Peru: Opportunites and Memories

2010-09-17T08:57:00.002-05:00

By Betty

Life does hold unexpected opportunities for learning and service. Perry and I were invited by Global Volunteers (GV) to be on the first team of volunteers to teach conversational English at La Molina University in Lima, Peru. The university has programs in agriculture, engineering, and sciences. It is a very historic school on a very large campus.

We were assigned advanced students, which included students, professors and some English teachers. They were eager, knowledgeable, and fun to be with every day. On our first day, an opening ceremony was held at nine o’clock. We served pisco sours, the traditional Peruvian alcoholic drink, along with sweets. What a way to start the day. Perry thought pisco sours tasted like margaritas.

We were taken from our hotel by van to the university and brought home by the same van and driver. It was about 10 miles each way and took about 60 minutes or more each way, and we quickly determined it was best not to look, just pray. We tried to leave 30 minutes later than expected in the morning to avoid traffic and it still took 55 minutes to get to the university. Traffic with the cars and buses was always very “challenging.” The university was about 10 miles inland and much warmer than our hotel area along the coast. Our driver made endless turns to avoid traffic and we all agreed we would never find our way without him.

Lima has about 8 million people, traffic 24 hours a day, and there were many bus lines. The bus lines have different zones, different levels of quality with different sizes of buses and we were warned not to attempt to ride them as it was an “art.” Be aware that stop signs, pedestrians, and lanes were totally ignored by buses and most cars. Taxis were everywhere but have no meters so fares were negotiated in advance and were usually higher for tourists.

On Sundays it is a tradition for families and couples to go to the many beautiful parks. August is winter in Lima so it was somewhat overcast and in the 60's but a light jacket was workable. Most apartments and hotels have no heaters or air conditioners. Some retail buildings have three walls with the front wall open during the day and were closed a night by heavy roll down doors. Water comes from mountain rivers but we were admonished not to drink it. Our hotel was located about 2 blocks from the ocean with sidewalks along the ocean. Sidewalks have a green lane for bikes and runners. Courteous dog walkers were everywhere. Overall, the 42 municipalities of Lima all provided on-going street sweeping and park cleaning so we think Lima was impressively clean.

The city brags it never rains in Lima. A mist of fog seemed to be the norm. To us, it rained one night. The rain was really a very “heavy mist” and our students did not think it qualified as rain. Most drivers did not even turn on their wipers. The people most impacted had clothes drying on the roofs for days and had to wait even longer for any hope of clean dry clothes.

Our students had strong training in grammar! What they wanted to do was talk in English! We discussed many American idioms or "adverbial phrases" as the students called them. We also had fun lessons on the social skills of shaking hands and table manners. The students practiced not being "wet fish" or "muscle women" when shaking hands and the interest was very high. They told us about Peruvian food, cultural foods, family food traditions and more. It was so exciting for them to share with us and we learned so much. Now, let me make it clear, "cuy" was not on our menu plans-----it is guinea pig! The students have grammar rules, rules, and rules from their classes so we were very appreciated with our explanations, pronunciations, teaching supplies, humor and willingness to answer specific questions. We were truly blessed with their enthusiasm!

Part of the original plan for our team was to teach writing research abstracts. There was a moderate mutiny on our first day after the GV team tried to teach this topic to all three student levels. This proved to be two hours of agony for the basic and intermediate groups and for our team members. Very few students were interested so Perry and I made a proposal to the university to help students more by changing the curriculum. I agreed to teach those who still wanted the original class and the rest of the team cheered. The university agreed and the revised plan worked well. It was an opportunity for my students to know that writing in English is very different than writing in Spanish and computer translation programs do not produce needed results. One important lesson was we have many prepositions in English while Spanish has very few.

We conspired with our driver Joseuy to sooth a team member’s soul and get a special treat – a Starbucks’ coffee. The Starbucks’ parking lots were a very tight basement parking lot and a traditional parking lot with one lane used to both enter and exit. Parking in Lima was very difficult even for small cars and we had a van! The coffees and hot chocolates were wonderful. Yes, we did purchase a coffee for our driver. However, our driver did get a call from our team leader to find out why we were late. Our team leader and the department director were waiting for us as we sheepishly showed-up with Starbucks’ cups. Fun memories.

We found the students, professors and staff to be very friendly and appreciative of us being here to work with them. They were very proud of their heritage, country and school. Wow, there is a big lesson!

Our final lunch at La Molina University was beyond exceptional with fabulous fresh trout (cooked with slivered garlic and fresh oranges), potatoes, pisco sours, and the popular refreshing purple corn drink called chicha morada. Potatoes and rice are commonly served together at lunch, the big meal of the day. (There are over 3,500 varieties of potatoes in Peru.) The location of the lunch was just outside of the campus in an outdoor market that sells items from the university. The market sold beautiful plants, produce, meats (including cuy, pig’s feet and poultry with heads), dairy products and fresh flowers.

School was to start in the next two weeks. Many students were having mandatory computer instruction at the student center. Students must complete two computer classes before full admission. Students can get a “free college education” but only 5% of the applicants are admitted based on their test scores. Students pay 200 soles per semester at La Molina but pay about 300 soles per month at a private university. The government minimum wage is 200 soles month. (There are approximately 3 soles per US dollar.)

We made special plans to go to Cuidad de los Ninos where two GV team members worked. This program has been run by monks since 1955 for boys from profoundly high risk families. The boys range in age from 3 to 18. They are from families who are beyond needy and must sign special contracts. The boys live at the huge farm-like setting, fed 3 meals a day, clothed, and go to school. In the afternoons they must do homework and learn a trade such as auto repair, woodworking, barbering, or sewing machine operation. One morning Dunkin Donuts donated donuts for the boys. It was a very special day!

The two GV team members painted the inside of one dorm in two weeks, a huge undertaking for two women with limited equipment, and then they put on a fiesta for their boys. The chips, cookies and strawberries along with Congo-line dancing were very very special for these children.

The boys must go home every other weekend and the family must visit on the opposite weekend. Couples, often including their children, are hired to be "family parents" to the various age groups. A few of the older boys stay while they attend a trade school or college and they also teach vocational classes. It was depressing to see the plainness and conditions but then to think this was so much better in so many ways than what their families have to offer. The school has 350 students but turns away more than that number.

There was definitely a “police presence” in Lima. The majority of buildings, both business and residential, have security devices and guards; most guards wear protective vests and are armed. The other police include the national police, the city police, the district police, the traffic police, and the traffic directors who have special perches at major intersection (young women in tight motorcycle pants, white helmets and bright green gloves… “hot cops”). Police were often seen around construction sites to manage traffic and at shopping areas. Our students told us the police bought new patrol cars from China several years ago and the cars are very bad. The police motorcycles most commonly seen were Hondas that looked like our dirt bikes. It was life threatening not to remember that STOP signs are completely worthless, traffic signals are up for consideration, and the use of a horn is a mandate.

We went the orphanage which also has a Global Volunteer program and a team leader who is totally amazing. The orphanage was started 80 years ago by a dentist. It now has 600 kids. Most will stay until age 17 1/2 and then are “put out.” Most will not graduate from high school. The girls program is run by nuns and the boys program is run by brothers. The only time boys and girls see each other are on special holidays or possibly in school. The high school students do see each other. Siblings have limited contact. Most of the children are orphans but some are children of parents in prisons. A few judges mandate visits to the facility so fathers usually come with two "friends" to make a visit once a month. Often children are dropped off at the front gate as young as four days old, some with papers and others without papers. Some children are orphans as their parents were “guerrilla terrorists” in the north area. The buildings are old and many need serious work. The United Nations rents a section of this huge facility and the rent money is used for building repairs, an on-going battle in Peru. The children were nicely dressed, their living areas very clean, and ¨tutors¨ live with them. The team leader knows these children are missing loving parents and the lifelong impact of this fact. Children get up at 6 o’clock, eat breakfast, go to school until 1 o’clock, come back to each lunch, take showers in unheated water, do homework, play games, and go to bed at 7:30. The team leader told us how she called Proctor & Gamble and asked for expired shampoo. She got a 6 month supply so the company is on her list. Formerly, the children had no shampoo and still have no soap or toothpaste.

Perry and I have concluded we were treated with kindness and patience by every person we met during our trip, including the merchants we bartered with while shopping. The university assigned Claudia to help us. She worked as a clerk in the language department and had the most English skills. We quickly determined she was our special angel. Every day at 10 o’clock she would come to our work area with a daily menu. She would explain the Peruvian dishes and their ingredients. She was so kind, so caring and full of smiles. It seemed to us that office ladies have never worked or talked with Americans before our invasion. We hope we left a good impression. Most of them were in tears waving their good-byes after our two weeks together.

Totally amazing! Breathe taking. Massive. My description of Machu Picchu. Seeing it was a bonus trip we planned. It was worth the extra effort and cost.
We think the reason the Incas abandoned Machu Picchu was it was so much work and all of the stairs.....along with the tiny mean-spirited mosquitoes.

After almost 3 weeks of wonderful opportunities, adventures and experiences, we flew home. Yes, we have some great pictures but we also have very special memories of our service time in Peru.

Global Volunteers is a service organization in more than 20 countries. It offers programs in medical care, construction, nurturing, and conversational English. For more information on countries, programs and service dates see www.globalvolunteers.org, … and no you do not have to speak a second language.

And the painting continues!

2010-09-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

Wednesday 15th Sept

Today I arrive to CDLN right on time. Myriam starts our daily meeting. Our painting windows project continues in Sonrisa fransciscana pavilion. Today I continue painting the 5th window. Jose is bringing us the ladder. It really helps to reach and paint the hightest part of the windows.

It is 1:30 p.m. and we start our lunch with prayer. We have fun with kids at my table. We enjoy each others company, a counting game in English begins. After lunch I go to help kids to dry off the dishes and we have fun. Myriam takes a photo of us standing by the sink.

After lunch I go to the pavilion to finish the painting. I use Jose´s ladder a lot. There's another 4 windows... the paint is making me a bit dizzy and it has a strong smell! It has been a long day and it is getting pretty hot today :)

At 5 p.m. my taxi punctually arrives and I go home. The taxi driver takes a different route, with less trafic. He drops me off at Larcomar. I walk home by foot enjoying the beautiful scenery.

I am then at the hotel and I am ready to eat my dinner at our restaurant. It is small but very cozy, and they make great steak skewers. I am tired and go to bed early today!

Written by Volunteer Karina

Adding a Little Sunshine to their Lives...

2010-09-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

Friday 10th September

Today is my last day at CDLN even though Karina will be staying on until next week. It`s gone extremely fast, and I find myself feeling like I need a bit more time. Nevertheless, the day starts with a frantic search for cookies for the party later in the day.

Once we arrive, Hermano Pedro started to help Karina and me with the painting supplies, but got sidetracked telling us about Arequipa (where he is from) and invited us to his pavilion to watch a DVD he`d recently bought on the area. He was so generous to offer us crackers and to tell us about the condors, bullfighting and his hometown. He seemed very proud of where he was from. We did eventually get around to painting (another ordeal moving benches outside, trying to find supplies...) and soon thereafter, it was then time for lunch.

The kids had pasta today instead of rice, and it was funny to watch them trying to negotiate away the mushrooms in the pasta and then to twirl the noodles around and throw them at each other. Even though that wouldn`t go over well in most kitchens, it makes me glad to know that they can still be silly and playful at CDLN. They also got oranges today and were trading and stealing each other`s oranges. The fruit was definitely a treat for them. Everyday, there has been one little boy, Elias, who doesn`t eat his food and, since the kids are required to eat everything that they are given, he gets in big trouble with Hermana Juanita when he doesn`t finish. Today as we were cleaning up, he was trying to hide it under the table and wanted me to help him. They`re all just so funny in how they manage their lives here. In many ways, it`s not much different than if they were at home.

Since it was Friday, the kids were able to watch a movie after lunch. They were all glued to Avatar (which I haven`t even seen yet) and were excited for Karina, Myrian and I to sit with them and watch. Later in the afternoon, we served them the cookies and handed out balloons, both which seemed to be a big hit. I tried to show them the trick of rubbing the balloon against your hair to make it stick to the wall, but it wasn`t working so well. Maybe there`s not enough static electricity in Lima:)

At the end of the party, they presented me with a thank you card that they had made. It was very sweet and the boys were all very gracious in making a line to thank me for various things during the week. I really was moved not just on Friday, but throughout the week, by how sweet and affectionate they were.

In a perfect world, they would have people there everyday just to play and give them attention. I hope that the short time I was here has added a least a little sunshine to their lives. I know that it has mine.

Written by Volunteer Jill

Day Two in Lima!

2010-09-07T21:28:00.002-05:00

Tuesday 7th September

Today is Tuesday, our 2nd in Peru. We have our hearty breakfast at our hotel and get ready to go to CDNL. Our taxi is very punctual, although the streets are filled with trafic, we arrive to CDNL on time at 9 a.m.

Upon our arrival Myriam comes to greet us with her warm and welcoming smile. We start our day with a Spanish lesson. It is really fun, we are learning slowly but surely. Then Jill and I have big project, painting the windows in St.Fransicana pavilion. Freddy is giving us a helping hand... he teaches us how to scrub rust from the windows. Then we clean them with the brush and paint them.

And now it is lunch time at 1:30 p.m. We are going to the cafeteria to set up the tables for the children. Once we put the dishes on the table we help to serve the food. Suddenly we realize that all children gathered around in the cafeteria at individual seat. Then ready for the prayer. We pray with gratitude.

Suddenly I notice that children are coming towards me saying “hello hermana Karina" and kissing me on the cheek... what a delightful moment for me... I am being accepted as their team member!

After we eat we help them to clean up the tables - they are so efficient in doing the chores, I am very impressed. Then we go to our pavilions. My children from St. Antonio pavilion go to play football, they reall love it. I hang around with them, saying "go go go" and I wish I could play footbal!

Then it is time to do the homework - the fun part. I say "who needs help with math?" and we start doing the homework. I am impressed with them. They are really very good at math, complex divisions and subtractions, although they need little it is nice to just be there and cuddle with them while they do their homework and they are really appreciative when they do it well.

It is 5 p.m. and our day almost comes to the end, we are so glad just to be there for them. Our taxi is waiting for us and we go back to our cozy Hotel Torreblanca.

Written by Volunteer Karina

A Summer of Service in Lima ~ Get Inspired!

2010-09-05T09:48:00.000-05:00

Please enjoy some candid photos of our volunteers on summer service programs in Lima, Peru!

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

2010-05-26T10:50:00.001-05:00

Realise that my time with this Peru program is about to come to an end, just when I am able to distinguish most of the boys by their personality (though still lousy at remembering names) and also beginning to get comfortable with a familiar routine at CDLN - work around the dormitory in the morning, set table for lunch with the boys and help with clean-up afterwards, then sort of goof around with the kids until being transferred back to hotel by 5pm. I feel like I still have so much to do with the kids, and so much work unfinished around the dormitory, 2-week does not seem like an ideal time frame for volunteering work...

Myrian suggested that I think about how my experience so far has been different from my initial expectation, but quite frankly I did not really have any expectation to speak of - being able to spend time with a local community is an opportunity, not a task, I see possibilities and potentials, not objectives or goals. Now I understand why I have been feeling a bit confounded from the beginning with all that talk about goals and strategies, I guess my outlook on life is more organic and my approach less organised than that...

We are here to give afterall, although we would inadvertently end up receiving so much more instead :-) Yes, the kids are so nice and warm and patient they would melt the heart of however cynical and jaded a city bum like me could be, and the whole family of the tutors at San Martin has made me feel so at home, this is real treasure I am receiving from them, when they open their doors to their home to me - for a wary traveler, an invitation to a home-made dinner is more valuable than the dinner itself. I feel grateful, from the bottom of my heart.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

2010-05-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

Another day of painting, this time the shower room walls. José and Guillermina wanted to have the decoration done tomorrow, the designer in me silently screamed no way - whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well (Lord Chesterfield), you just don't get a set of graphics done in a couple hours and expect it to be great. Again, I had to resort to examine the meaning of being of service - does it mean totally submiting to the wills of others, suspending one's own judgement, discarding one's own standard, in order to fulfil the needs of others? I feel conflicted. The same way I feel conflicted about the religious element in the daily life at CDLN (no one has forced me to follow their ritual, I just feel uncomfortable not blending in, yet hypocritical if I even try), and how I should handle questions I find too personal from casual aquaintances - there is obviously a different concept of personal space in South America. Not that I have come to any enlightening answer yet, but questioning oneself of the status quo lays the foundation for change and, hopefully, growth, I'll just take it one day at a time.

Monday, 17 May 2010

2010-05-17T10:46:00.001-05:00

First day of the program. A bit nervous knowing that my Spanish is insufficient for effective communication with the local people, wondering if I would be more of a hinderance than help to them. But when on entering the precinct of Chorrillos I saw two huge statues of couple in love and was reminded of the common aspiration of people no matter the language we speak, the age, the color, and all the superficial differences - a life with some love and dignity, I felt more at ease knowing that those are things I could hope to give.

After touring the complex of CDLN - which is huge and very well maintained - I was assigned to the house of San Martin, under the care of Hermano José and Hermana Guillermina, a very down-to-earth and pleasant couple, a comforting beginning indeed.

There didn't seem much I could do for them in the morning (when the boys were at school) except for helping with their chores. Just when I felt a bit listless cleaning the windows, I remembered my own reasoning when my little angels asked me why I thought it so important and spent so much time trying to maintain a clean home for them: because I love them and want to give them the pleasantest I could possibly give... An act of love need not be anything lofty and flamboyant, it's the intention that counts.

Meeting the kids was a bit overwhelming at first, mainly because I couldn't understand 95% of what they said :( But their enthusiasm, curiosity, warmth and generosity soon put me in greater ease. It's a pleasant change to hang around with kids who are without a hint of cynicism - surprising given that many of them are supposed to have come from some difficult background. I have developed a genuine affection for these kids, and I look forward to create with them some loving memeories for each other.

March 18th, 2010

2010-03-18T13:58:00.002-05:00

Thought for the day: Enjoy the moment, it's the start of a journey. To serve others is to grow.

The day started much as the others, except we were all missing Jessica, with her bubbly personality and bright smile. she left last night and we all hope she had an uneventful journey home. June and Sara decided not to walk and there were only four of us at breakfast, then off to CDLN.

After a short meeting we all went to our respective homes. Barbara finished painting "her" wall and Jane covered six more books. We are now "trusted"enough to work without supervision!

We know our jobs well! Jose left to run some errands and came back with a papaya for us to share. We had an early lunch and shared our food with Jose, who is now a "bachelor" as Guerimiela and Diana are in Arequipa for two weeks. We invited Sara and June over to share the papaya and the five of us had a pleasant meal outdoors. Then off for lunchroom duty. After cleanup Barbara and I managed to collect the broken bowls and cups which always leaked all over the tables. I showed them to Jose, who promised to throw them away!

After lunch Jane planted the final twelve plants in the garden with the help of Manuel. Barbara's I-pod continued to be a big hit, until it could no longer function. The boys had signed up for turns so some were disappointed. We finished the afternoon by playing Tic Tac Toe and Hangman with the boys. I discovered the boys were so skilled in Tic Tac Toe that I only won two games! Barbara had the difficult task of figuring out a Hangman in Spanish!

After a ride home with Nerit we said good night to each other as June went off to meet Carmen's uncle, another relative. Sara and Barbara had errands to run and planned to eat out. Jane had dinner at the hotel.And so our Peruvian adventure is drawing to a close, with only one more day at the homes. I expect we all have mixed feelings. A sense of sadness at leaving our new-found friends and colleagues and a sense of pride in what we have accomplished in our two short weeks.

Tomorrow we will say good-bye to "our" boys and the tutors. We wish them all well and will miss them and will remember our time in Peru with fondness.

- Jane

March 17th, 2010

2010-03-17T13:49:00.002-05:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY:“You can get everything you want in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Ziglar

While the quote above is by a businessman writer of self help books, it also reminds me of our experiences the past 9 days and how they affect our need for purpose, or to be useful. This evening as we were all hovering about Jessica as she waited for her taxi like sad, wistful Mothers sending their first child off to school, I shared an old well known story.

It’s the one about a man who is walking along an ocean beach throwing stranded starfish back into the sea after a storm. Another man approached him and said “what are you doing? There are thousands of starfish washed up on this shore. How can you possibly think you are going to make a difference here?” The first man replied as he saved another Starfish, “It makes a difference to this one”.

Today our morning began with a visit to the school next door to CDLN which is run by the same Catholic Order. We were invited by the Teacher into an English class where only English is spoken. She wanted to give the children a chance to hear native speakers from the USA. Shyly they asked us a couple of questions after we introduced ourselves. Jane broke the ice telling them she was a teacher of 1st and 2nd graders since she then she did not have to look up at bigger children. They laughed at her joke and the rest of us introduced ourselves and named our professions. We all agreed this was where Jane should have been and she thought she would be working. As we left that classroom to tour the facility we were greeted excitedly by the boys from our families running up to us on the playground as recess began. Some offered to share their snacks. Many hugs and smiles later we left to go to our assigned Family homes.

However, if Jane had worked at the school who would have covered all those books so well and planted such a pretty garden for Hermana Guillemina and Hermano Jose today with a contribution from GV funds. She happily did get to do some one on one teaching this pm as she coached 2 boys, Manuel and Rodriquez through the Alphabet in English writing a word and using the drawing skills the Peruvian children are led to use so much more then their American counterparts. Many children have become quite accomplished at drawing and copying though.

Sara kindly came over to help Jane and Guillemina with the planting task after Sara and June finished washing down the book shelves at their home. June got a hug and smile from her Tutor Hermana Pedro, a breakthrough, after she very humbly confessed to taking the dish closet key with her yesterday. They did get to interact joyfully with the boys today playing Uno.

Barbara almost completed painting her wall but ran out of paint and time as it was the hour to set up for lunch. She and Hermana Guillemina and her daughter Diana exchanged addresses as they hurriedly left to visit their family in Arequipa right before lunch. Barbara talked with Hermana Jose about what age appropriate games he thinks would best suit the boys and the boys had chosen the same games. After the “chicos” finished washing their shirts, their chores and homework with the visiting High Schoolers from yet another school, Barbara had a huddle of boys around her learning to take turns solving the physics problem game on the iPhone.

Jessica folded laundry today at her home this her last day. That evening before she left for home she shared her insight for the day. When she is at work she would love it if someone would just answer the phone while she is doing piled up administrative tasks. So just folding the laundry may be helping relieve someone of an annoying task to free them to recharge or do something else. That was as important to them as someone answering the phone for her. It mattered to them. There is no question the boys like Jessica very much and will miss her warm smiles and hugs. Not one of us sets a table like she did and all that wholesome energy, intelligence and those great smiles and hugs will be remembered by us as well. She was very moved by the farewell at her home and was quite pensive and sad as expected it seemed, on the drive back to the Hostal.

Today seemed to be a time of poignant, but oddly heartwarming goodbyes with people for whom I have developed a genuine affection that seems to have been returned 2 fold. We discuss knowing that while we will miss the boys, each other, our hosts, our kind Hostal folks and our leader Myrian, we feel our hearts have been moved by this experience. These thoughts fused with our fatigue made for a bit more quiet ride today as Neerit drove us to our home away from home.

Travel Mercies to Jessica, you are sorely missed. For the rest of us we have 2 more days to throw a few more starfish back into the nourishing waters. Go Team Camaraderie!

- Barbara

March 16th, 2010

2010-03-16T13:37:00.002-05:00

Quote of the Day:"I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too. so we're really not that different, me and you." Colin Raye

The day started early once again with Sara, Jessica and I going for a walk. The red VW car was not there for our landmark, but we made it back just the same. The walks have been great with sharing more about each other. We make our daily ride to CDLN where we start the day with reading from the journal and more Spanish lessons. Myrian has us actually trying to converse and not just repeat words. We all depart and head for our respective houses. When Sara and I get to San Buenoventura we find a note on the door telling us the tutors are not there but will be back at 11am. We then go visit Barbara and Jane to check on the progress of the painting of the curb and the covering of the books. Sara sweeps the curb then we start to pick up trash that is on the ground and go back to our house and do the same. Jose, a tutor, asks for our help in pulling weeds which is a big challenge for me since I don't know a plant from a weed, but I managed not to pull out too many plants.

We decide to check on our tutors, but still do not find that they have returned. We head to the office and meet the tutors who have just come back from a doctor's appointment. We go to the office and get a couple of card games, UNO and SkipBo which we bringback and play UNO with the 2 boys who are not in school. Interacting with play with them brings us much closer together, laughing, winning and losing. Back to the usual routine of setting up for lunch and cleanup afterwards. We then help the boys with schoolwork which consists mostly of covering books and drawing pictures for them.

The boys started flocking around, I wished we had more time for play. Barbara and Jane went on an excursion to a mall to purchase flowers for planting, which will get done tomorrow.

The day is over and back to the hostel with Juanita's husband, Nerrit, driving. When we arrive back I realize I still have the key to the dish cabinet at CDLN....boy am I in trouble!!! We meet Myrian who puts us into cabs to go for dinner. Jessica, Myrian and I got in the second cab and arrived at the restaurant first. This is the place we pass every day on our way home and wondered what it was...Brujas de Cachiche. We waited and waited for the other cab to come and started wondering what happened and thinking about all different scenarios. They finally arrived after the taxi driver asked for directions twice! We enjoyed a great meal and conversation but it was a little sad knowing it would be our last dinner together since Jessica is leaving at end of CDLN day tomorrow. She will be sorely missed - her bright smile and youthful energy. Safe trip home Jessica and we will meet again!

- June

March 15th, 2010

2010-03-15T12:20:00.000-05:00

Quote of the day: Llancay, the Incan Principle of Work, or the Gift of Service says;

"Work is a blessing, an expression of interaction with care of the creation. It is not a punishment but an opportunity to give a hand to Mother Earth to bring abundance and prosperity to all. Whatever we do for Mother Earth repays her care for us, for all the blessings she has given to us.”

From “Andean Awakening” by Jorge Louis Delgado

Today Jessica joined Sara and June for their 6 AM walk along the Pacific Ocean which added a newness to the 1st day of second week. We enjoy our delightful ride to CDLN talking with Juanita and her daughter.

We head for our respective homes and the tasks that await us. Sara and Jane finish their ironing of the boy’s clothes left from Friday.

They then went to visit Barbara and Jane at San Martin’s. Barbara is continuing painting of the outside wall and is now on the yellow coat. Jane is covering the books and has a system now. They are invited by Hermana Jose to see a video of Arequipa in the southern most part of Peru where his family and his wife are from. It is very beautiful there, home to the Condor and Vicuna.

Meanwhile Barbara and Jane interacted with their boys after the boys finished their homework. They report the boys are seeking them out to help with English words for pictures they have to draw and name in English. One just wanted to learn a few English words on his own and how they were said and written.

The day ends with Juanita’s husband picking us up for the drive back to the Hostal. We learn with the help of the dictionario he is a busy and talented man. He is studying for a part in a play, is an editor and journalist as well as a taxi driver.

I return to continue my own reflection on and analysis of our collective concern last week. How is my washing windows, clothes and floors helping these precious children? How is this increasing my cultural awareness? As I reflected on the Incan principle of llancay from my current readings I begin to understand. Even a simple task done in the service of others is a blessing and creates a bond of mutuality between people. It is my hope that when these boys hear negative comments about Americans they will remember the laughing and kind American ladies who washed their floors and clothes and helped them with their homework. The only reward wished for was their bright smiles, nothing more was expected of the boys.

Likewise, as I remember those wide smiles I challenge myself to actively advocate for better US policies that address the social justice concerns and the real needs of developing countries. I continue to challenge myself to act for immigration policies that view immigrants as enhancing not diminishing our own multicultural heritage.

- Sara

March 12th, 2010

2010-03-12T12:14:00.002-05:00

Quote of the day: Releasing my grip on what should be, opens my hands and my heart.

The day began early with June and Sara off for their usual morning walk. After breakfast we were off to CDLN where we had our morning meeting. We reviewed our team goals and were all in agreement that we were meeting them. Then, the reading of the daily journal, followed by a Spanish lesson with Myrian. We then headed off to our respective houses, Barbara and I to San Martin,wondering what today's tasks would be. I was warmly welcomed back by Jose and Guerimilla, who had been very concerned about me. I was given the now easy task of covering books. I have worked out a system and can now complete each book in less than 10 minutes. Yeah!! Barbara continued her job of painting the undercoat on the cement wall and finished it!! Yeah, again!

Barbara and I cleaned up and washed the dishes, then off to the lunchroom to set up for the boys' lunch. After eating the boys we retreated to a special dessert - donuts and cola - donated by Dunkin Donuts and Maltin. What a surprise - the boys were so excited! Cleanup and dishes followed, then off to San Martin, where we had another big surprise. Since it was Friday the boys were not required to do their homework, although could if they so chose. Barbara and I were able to play and interact with the boys - a first for us! I was sent over to the office to select some games and asked Alajandro to accompany me. We chose several, but Uno, cards and Tumbling Towers were the favorites. But the most popular was Barbara's cellphone which had several games. The boys nearly smothered her in their attempts to try the games. I played Uno and Towers with several boys, but never won at either. Some boys chose to do their homework. It was a wonderful afternoon - especially having a chance to spend time with the boys! Then back to the hotel, with Juanita's husband as the driver. Friday rush hour is more like Friday gridlock, but we finally made it home.

Dinner was a special treat. It was at a nearby local restaurant called Junius, which featured a buffet and a unique folklore show with a variety of dances and music. The costumes were amazing, the musicians and dancers extremely talented. It was a treat towatch them - especially their unbelievable dance steps, so intricate and almost exhausting to watch. Jessica was the hit at our table - several dancers singled her out and finally led her to the stage to join in dance. There also is a priceless picture of Sara when she was surprised by a "devil" dancer! The show ended with pictures of all of us with the dancers. Then we took taxis back to the hotel.

What a wonderful TGIF!! and finally to bed - June and I plan to sleep in, but Sara, Barbara and Jessica are off at 4:00 a.m. for Nazca and will spend the weekend visiting several sites and most especially a flight over the magical Nazca Lines. I do hope they manage to get some sleep on the way there! It will be a wonderful treat for them, just not the departure time!

- June

March 11th, 2010

2010-03-10T11:58:00.003-05:00

Quote of the Day: Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect.

The day started at 6am with Sara and I going for our daily walk. Bravo!!, first day we made it back without a wrong turn. After breakfast we head for CDLN. Somehow Juanita gets us there safely each day. Upon arriving we hold our morning meeting where the journal is read,telling us about the day before. We discuss how things are going in our homes. We then separate and go to our assigned houses. Sara and I go to San Buenoventura where Pedro assigns the task of dusting the artificial flowers. There were enough of them to last all morning. We take a break and then head for the dining hall. We help set the table, dish up the soup and pour the drinks.

Today I make sure the cabinet key is safely in my pocket so Doris doesn't worry that it has been lost, like yesterday. Each day we are assigned to sit at a different table at lunch so we are able to meet all the different boys. We usually are able to ask their names and a few other questions in Espanol. But oh, these old minds have difficulty remembering names, so it's repito, repito, repito. Then onto the kitchen duty of washing and drying dishes which was difficult today when the water stopped running. Christian and I had a finger water fight with water on the counter while we waited for water to start flowing again from the taps. Now back to the house where the boys start on their homework.After talking to a few boys and looking at the work they are doing, I go to Robert's table at his request. I thought I was to help cover more books which I learned the proper technique yesterday. But alas No! It is to draw a design in one of his notebooks. Whoa! I don't draw, but he insists. I copy the design from another notebook. Luckily it is on graph paper and is easy to count boxes. It keeps me busy for a while and he keeps ensuring me it is good. He then asks if I would do another and then if I would do all. I reply yes before I ask the question, cuantos? What a mistake, there are 6 more books to do, but I have tomorrow to finish them. He really conned me, the third book he gives me isn't graph paper, so now it is free hand drawing. Actually it does not look too bad and he is pleased. During this time the boys are trying out their English and asking questions. The dictionary is very helpful for both them and myself. We all use it and learn new words and phrases. We all seem to enjoy the interaction and I am eager to continue tomorrow.The day was quickly over and we head back to the hotel, dinner and much needed rest.

- June

Day 3 March 9th, 2010

2010-03-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

Quote for the day: "Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while or the light won't come in." Alan Alda, American Actor/Activist.

Today we started at CDLN with a brief recap of yesterday starting with Jessica's inspiring journal entry. Myrian asked for feedback from the first day which we all were eager to share. Planned interactions with the boys seem to vary by the house and the will of the tutors. We are proud we all find our way to our respective homes on our own today. We are eager to see what tasks may be assigned today. I wonder would I be of any use especially since I have such limited skills in speaking Spanish. What kind of contribution could I make? June and I are with the San Benivito Family house. When we enter we are told that today we will wash the windows. Happily I thought , well here is a task I can do. June and I quickly developed a system for completing this task. I would do the upper windows and she the lower due to our height difference and we could oppose each other to check for missed spots.

So I sought a metaphor for all this window washing that also speaks to broadening our world view through challenging our assumptions. When we speak of wanting to help we need to be reminded someone has to do the basic tasks that keep the organization working. I realized in a moment of clarity looking through clean windows. After we ate lunch together with our Families, we did go back and worked with the boys covering books and they did seem to enjoy having us there to try some words of English and quiz us on our words in Spanish. Exhausted but content with a good day's work behind us the team met for dinner. The waiter finally broke down and spoke to us in English that he enjoyed serving us since we were very nice people. Thus validated we headed off for a good night's sleep to prepare for another day.

- Sarah

Day 2 March 8, 2010

2010-03-08T11:39:00.002-05:00

Quote of the day: I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. –Edward Everett Hale

The alarm sounds and I awake with a smile. Each morning I awake with a smile for God has granted me another day. However, my smile today is for not only another day, but a day to help others. How lucky I am.

The team meets for breakfast and I'm excited to see the smiles on each one of us. We depart for CDLN, all excited curious, and interested in the new experience that lies before us. With no concrete expectations this van of women (on international day of the woman) travels to meet “our boys” for the first time. We have a warm greeting from the staff, including Brother Hugo.

Then our journey around the campus begins. I'm fascinated by each home and as I glance at my teammates it´s clear that so are they. “We travel from the little shoes to the big shoes” as Barbara pointed out. As we each approach “our home” it's fun to see us each light up, we become kids at heart while taking in our new surroundings. We quickly learn first hand how special CDLN is to these children and community.

After our tour we receive a quick Spanish lesson. During this lesson I realize these are the words that will bring us together. These are the words the boys will use, the tutors will use and I will use in order to bond. With no Spanish background this begins to make me a little nervous. Then I must quickly push my nerves aside as I now see the boys traveling back from school and we each walk to our homes.

Lunch is first on the list and I'm asked to help set up. I watch the boys and see the enthusiasm they have with the simple task of preparing for lunch. All of the boys and my teammates begins to enter the cafeteria and complete the same task. Then the boys stand waiting for the prayer to begin. The loud roar of the boys fills the room as they share in the blessing, then time to eat. Today´s menu includes soup, rice, beans and lettuce. The words “finish your meal, set a good example” enter my mind as I´m eating the last few bites. Later on I learn the other teammates are thinking the same thing. No barrier is broken during lunch as all the boys are distracted with the food and the company of each other. Alice makes me feel welcomed.

Then dishes is when the barriers begin to be broken. Smiles, laughs and tricks like splashing in the water begin to bring us together. This continues as recess follows our lunchtime. As I observe the boys I cannot help but smile and laugh as they are. Then little by little the boys run over, give me a hug and quickly run off to continue their game of soccer. The warmth I feel from the sunshine doesn´t compare to the new warmth I feel of the heart.

I realize…
I cannot speak to them, but I can give them a smile.
I cannot understand their questions, but I can give them a hug, and
I cannot help them with their studies but I can laugh with them as they all joke with each other.

Our evening ends with wonderful food and conversation as well as a reflection of our day and our excitement for tomorrow. A tomorrow where I will continue to learn it´s not about what I cannot do, it´s about what I can.

- Jessica

Day 1 March 7th, 2010

2010-03-07T11:28:00.001-05:00

Quote of Day: Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our gooddeeds. Buddha

We start our first day in Peru as a team coming as individuals to fulfill our promise to be "servant-learners". Not quite a team yet we meet with Myrian Bellido our group leader. She is an engaging, well-educated and intelligent young woman with many skills. First she leads us in introducing ourselves. Our most seasoned Global Volunteer is Jane, a refined traveler from California. She has served 7-8 times before with Global Volunteers and wants to continue until her 80's. Ah wisdom of experience. June comes from a log cabin in the beautiful woods of Vermont. She has a busy schedule of volunteering in the VA hospital, for AIDS sufferers and other groups as well as her church. She was an IT manager and we plan to use her skills immediately. Already we are coast to coast. Next our youngest member Jessica who is from Minnesota but is now in Wisconsin and works as a Banquet/Restaurant Manager and Event Planner. She is wise beyond her years and we see her talents that night at dinner manifested in brief. Sara a Child Psychologist from Texas but Virginian for 40 years is also a volunteer servant in several organizations such as her church and working with abused women. Her infectious laugh lightens our gathering. Barbara is the fifth member, born in Baltimore,but widely traveled as a result of her Air Force Nurse experience and interests in retirement (semi). She is a Nurse Practitioner and has some experience in volunteering with abused women as well. She is the scribe today.

Our first task was to identify the characteristics of a team, then we learn about our host organization the "Ciudad (city) of de los Ninos", alive-in program for at risk boys 3 to 18 years of age. There are various homes made up of about 30 boys each and are divided by ages. We learn that we will be assisting the tutors who live there with the boys after they return from school for lunch and homework. We defined our team goals, thusly armed with that information and our expectations.

Team Goals:

1. To work cooperatively and supportively to meet the needs of our hosts as they request

2. To learn about and grow with each other in this process

3. To share and celebrate the cultural exchange

4. To enjoy the whole experience

After we have exhausted Myrian with questions especially about Espanol and pronunciations and meanings we break for lunch. Myrian has a wonderful suggestion - a walk along the cliffs beside the Pacific Ocean. Our destination is a lunch place overlooking a picturesque Peruvian beach and coast line. Lovely Lima at her best. Along the way we see life and people about in parks and busy highways.We have a tasty lunch and sample chica and Inca Cola, two popular drinks in Peru and get our first lesson in the unknown Peru gastronomy at Pollo Pardo's. We catch a cab back to the hotel and spend our afternoon either on a city tour or meeting Peruvian friends.

Sara and Barbara tour the Museum of Anthropology for 1 1/2 hours (a must see collection of well preserved pottery etc through long history of Peru from the Chavin to the Colonialtimes.)

June and Jessica enjoy hearing the history of Peru and seeing local sites of interest. Jane enjoys a cool ocean breeze as she reads her book on the Plaza in front of hotel by the fountain. Aah, life is good!

The group meets for dinner at the great Italian restaurant Donnatella where we manifest one of the team characteristics we identified -"Comraderie" - yes ladies I can spell it. Those who arrived at midnight the day before, are now as ready as the rest of us to retire from a long day of preparation, fun and anticipation. Thanks to Myrian (our sister) and Frank, our Hotel manager, who keeps a brotherly helpful eye on us, for this day - our beginning.

- Barbara

The Joy of Volunteering in Peru

2010-02-15T17:22:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much for all the work that you do!

What an exciting adventure my husband, Tim, and I had as members of the 92nd Global Volunteers team to Lima, Peru! We worked at the orphanage - PPA (Puericultorio Perez Aranibar)! It is a life-changing experience to leave the comfort of one's home in SE Minnesota and travel to another continent and experience a life so different from our own. Yet, even with all the cultural differences and the poverty, the same wonderful human spirit shines through.

Working with a Global Volunteers' team is so unique because the volunteers come from around the States (and with this team - even Canada!) to volunteer together to wage peace. We first get to know one another through a series of questions about team work and goal setting so that when we begin our work, we know one another better.

The work in Lima at PPA is so worthwhile because at the orphanage the children need the love that the Global Volunteers bring and the staff appreciates the help. Each team builds on what the former teams have done and sets the stage for the next team coming in.

Being Global Volunteers we have our goals
As talents we release.
We hope our actions and our words
Will help us to wage peace.

What change did come for most of us
In culture and in weather!
Our team has had a lot of fun
Experiencing it together.

My quote today from Helen Keller
Fits all though short or tall:
"Life is an exciting adventure,
Or nothing at all."

Gratefully, Bonnie Rietz, Peru volunteer

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread

2010-01-21T12:25:00.004-05:00

Coming into this as a volunteer in PPA, I did not know what to expect. I thought that maybe the kids would not have enough to eat or would not be well taken care of. I was suprised to find that all of the kids were fed well and all had their own bed and clean bathrooms. All the kids really need was love and attention. Everyday when I go see the kids, the instant I smile at one or give a child attention you can see their face light up. When you take the kids outside, they don't always want to play sometimes they just like being near you, having some human contact. Although the kids are taken care of physically, emotionally they ache for any type of human contact. We will never see a permanent change in these kids, because they need love forever, however we can see when we are with them how happy they are and appreciate that maybe for just one day we are making their lives better. Even though we are leaving today we can hope that the kids will continue to get the love and attention that they deserve from other volunteers and hopefully one day their family.

Lexi Strictland

Carpe diem (Seize the day)

2010-01-18T11:29:00.004-05:00

Once we were ten
But today we are three
Team 90 on Monday
Jack, Gary and me.

Each morning we meet
And after we eat
We're off to our destination
Without procrastination.

The van knows the way
We go every day
Except for one day
We went the wrong way.

We circled about
That first roundabout
And found PPA's gate
Before we were late.

We gather to see
What assignments will be
Then off where the children await
Hurry, hurry, we can't be late.

The gardens need flowers
And also some showers
The rocks will give way
With some muscle this day.

Slides ready for sliding
Swings waiting for swinging
How the children run
To have fun, fun, fun.

But sometimes a tear
Or a scream we may hear
But soon they are gone
With a hug or a song.

Too soon it's time for the bus
CIAO, CIAO, goodbye from us.
Back to our lodging to eat some more
And make our plans for the next day's chore.

Thought for the day: Carpe diem (Seize the day)
Sally Keller

"It is What it is"

2009-10-08T14:34:00.004-05:00

Friday was the day Gail got a donut. None of the other Global Volunteers was as lucky. We will investigste. Monday. We had flowers in our room. They are beautiful and a welcome sight after a long day. Thx, Edith.

This experience with CDLN is enriching, sad, frustrating, exhausting and quite wondersful on many levels. I arrive each morning expecting to accomplish something and quickly realize I expect too much. I cannot excape the overwhelming feeling that los ninos live an eye-popping different life than my son who is not that much older than the oldest and was just a little boy not that long ago. It is indeed a charmed life that we lead and we need to be more aware and thankful. Los Ninos are the best....loving, funny, smart and boyishly wild...and on those levels absolutely no different than my son. They play a mean game of Uno and have no qualms trying to kid me out of getting their assignments done. On the other hand, they do listen and have a keen sense of when too much is too much.

Working, eating, and laughing daily with The Golden Girls (Beautiful Ladies, per Edith) is a treat. I am the newbie to GV and they each bring a perspective I do not have. Needless to say, having Gail as my roommate for the first time in many years is amusing and meaningful at the same time. She truly comes alive with GV and it is fun to watch her and share this with her. She does eat an awful lot, however !!!!

Our projects move along. We paint the San Pio in hopes of making it beautiful again. We sand and paint and clean San Antonio with the same hope. If only we coul get the right plate count at lunch we would be on our way to a very successful 2 weeks. We hope the hermanas find our projects and time here useful. They have a tough primary responsibilty and then they have all of us.

This is a great experience. Edith makes it all happen with charm and energy and professionalism. Lots of thoughts but the one that keeps coming to mind and that I say throughout the day, ¨It is what it is"

By Pat

Golden Girls

2009-10-08T14:15:00.004-05:00

The five of us volunteers along with our caring & courageous leader, Edith, have really come together as a team. After gathering for a delicious breakfast each morning & hearing announcements, we were off in our van to join our families at Cuidad de los Niños. Rae & Gail headed for Niño Jesus with the youngest boys. There they kept very busy on the playground, reading & straightening up. Natalie went to her family at Sonrisa Franciscana where she engaged in housekeeping chores such as making beds, folding clothes & sweeping. Claire & Pat could be found housekeeping & mending with their family at San Antonio. Later in the morning several of us went with Edith to paint the playroom. This is a major project & we are proud to say that we are making significant progress. We are indeed a team of dedicated & determined workers. Some of us also found time to assist in the lavandaria.Preparation of the dining room & serving lunch has been a challenge for sure.. It isn´t easy to get the count right but we are catching on. We have lunch with our families. Clean up comes next & the tutors told Edith that they love the way Gail does dishes - she´s indispensable! Our afternoon projects consist of playing games with the boys and helping them with homework. Pat has the nine & ten year old excited about playing Uno. The boys are helping us with our Spanish.Wednesday evening we participated in the church service with the community. This was a time filled with much joy as we, the boys & the tutors gathered together in the church for singing, clapping & dancing to the hymns of praise. What a beautiful ending to a very fulfilling day. Diners at our hotel have been delicious & fun. Thursday night Edith took us to Xin Xing, a great Chinese restaurant in our neighborhood. We had a terrific meal together. We are a happy team.

By Natalie

Thought for the Day - " One thing I know; the only ones among us who will be happy are those who will have sought & found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer

"To dispose a soul to action we must upset its equilibrium "

2009-10-08T14:05:00.003-05:00

The words I have selected for the daily thought were penned by Eric Hoffer. The words seem particularly fitting for my 6th trip with Global Volunteers. Regardless of how many countries I have the good fortune to visit and participate in volunter work there is always the feeling of being slighty off balance and at times, dazed. I do not mind feeling that way for a time as I am seeing a part of my world with renewed interest in my surroundings. Travel and involvement with different people whose lives are so different from my own is invigorating even if it is not always easy to look around.

The team of 5 wonderful and comical women is a delight. We are all working hard at whatever needs doing. There is no end to what can be accomplished here. Our team leader, Edith, is a pepper pot of boundless energy , smart ideas, and genuine concern for us and the children and staff at Cidudad de Los Ñinos.

On a more personal note, it gives me much pleasure to have my sister, Pat here as a part of this adventure. She is a significant asset. It is nice to see another side of her! I hope she will seriously consider another volunteer trip in the future as she has so much to offer......

The children - what is there for me to write? They make me smile and break my heart all at the same time. I so want things to get better for each and every one. They are in the hands of people who are laboring so hard on their behalf and that is a comfort. The hermanasm in particular, have a huge job. I sense they really do understand how what they do every day for the children impacts the future .

I am happy I have come to Peru and hope my efforts will make a difference. All the work is to the good.

By Gail

Lesson learnt...

2009-10-08T13:57:00.005-05:00

Friday was a usual day with breakfast and another ¨tour¨of the city on the way to Cidual los Niños.Cora was sick and spent the day at the Hostel and close to the baño.I finished painting the walls in the ¨mud¨ room at San Antonio. Manu continued working on painting the shoe pegs. She has-had the slow job. I´m going to miss her this week.At lunch I experienced a ¨lesson learned¨. The Niños prefer their soup cool. I waited until I seen them coming from school and going to change clothes before I ladeled out their soup so it would be hotter for them. Hot soup did not appear to be their preference.Lesson learned--don´t rock the boat and try and change their eating habits!I enjoyed the afternoon homework session because I took part in the class assignment. With help from Tonya, I was able to read the assignment and complete it which encouraged the boys to follow my example. Each one of them and the tutors got a ¨well done-good job¨ sticker and off to the playground for a game of football.I look forward to the short waiting period we have before leaving to come back to the hostel to prowl through the concession stand.Friday nite supper was at the Chinese place Xin Xin. Cora stayed at the hostel to continue recuperating. She is much better and plans on the city tour tomorrow.

By Verlon

The potential to turn a life...

2009-10-08T13:54:00.003-05:00

The days all start off the same...breakfast in the morning with a short team meeting and a drive to CDLN. Being here almost 3 weeks, I have come to know what is expected of me each day without asking...These last 2 days I had to finish painting the windows and then help Verlin out in the Zapataria. The mornings seems to fly by with this work, and before we know it...it´s 1pm and it´s time to start setting up for lunch.

Although now I am used to setting up for lunch exactly how the Hermanas and Niños like it...Grechen is still figuring things out...I think it must have taken me a week and a half to realize what was going on haha. One thing that is important for everyone to remember, however, is that no matter what mistakes are made...the boys and the hermanas will never hesitate to help out by fixing your mistakes, and by teaching you the proper way (their way). If there is one thing I´ve learned about Latin American culture these last few weeks is that they are very patient, honest and helpful people...
Anyway, lunch usually goes the same...some of the boys love eating, some of them hate it...but no matter what, each plate is left clean! Definitely gives you insight on how much we waste back home...Grenchin and I help with the dishes, washing and drying - I think the boys appreciate it, but it´s hard to tell.

After lunch it´s play time - these last 2 days Grenchin had the great idea of bringing the games Jenga and Etch-a-sketch - both which the boys absolulely loved! It´s great watching them play Jenga - they´ve got great skill and incredibly steady hands!

After playtime it´s on with the homework - it´s sort of become routine now that I help Brayan, Jose, Christian, Elvis and Maycol with their homework. I use help in the lossest sense of the term...because my Spanish is not near good enough to understand what´s going on half the time. I have a great time talking with the boys and learning from them...it´s hard to believe that I am already into my last few days at CDLN. I can´t count how many times they´ve asked me ¨Is tomorrow your last day?¨ It breaks my heart everytime I answer ¨Si¨ It´s going to be very hard to leave these boys...I think I´ve made a few good friends in them.

As sad as I am that I will be leaving in a few days, I´m exciting for everyone else because I know the types of relationships they´re going to end up forming after 2 weeks. I can remember when it was my first day on at CDLN; I didn´t know what to expect but I was quickly put to work. At first, I felt quite useless...to be honest...I felt like the hermanas were just looking for work to give me. But once I started looking at the bigger picture, I realized that even something ¨small¨ like painting the windows or doing laundry goes a long way in this organization. Sometimes because we´re only here for such short periods it´s hard for us to see that, I know it was for me.

Anyway, I think I will leave it there with my thought of the day...

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around - Leo Buscaglia

Believing in Someday...

2009-10-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

First day anxiety at breakfast was quite apparent for all. The ride thru the city to CDLN was interesting and we arrived on time to meet with Father-brother Hugo Mejia . Edith then took us on an tour of the campus including a meeting with the chickens and pigs. We were introduced to our houses and the wonderful women who care for these needy boys 24 hours a day. It was a day of getting to know the ropes and finding out what the expectations were for our group of volunteers. Folding laundry, sewing, and sweeping seemed to be the main events of the morning. When the boys showed up the atmosphere changed quite abruptly and they were the focus of all activity for the remainder of the day. Our day was complete with a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Vista al Mar.

Tuesday was much the same although breakfast was a bit more relaxed. It was great to have Manu back to help us out as she had been working with the previous team and knew what was expected, the routine and of course a lot of the boys’ names.
By Gretchen

Thought for the day

Believing in Someday by Mattie Stepanek

Maybe , Someday
We will all join hands
And live together...
Helping each other.
Maybe, someday
We will all make the world
A much better place...
And be like a gigantic
Smoothly rushing river of peace.
A loving circle that nothing can break.
Maybe, Someday,
We may start with just one person,
And one permanent peace agreement
Within oneÂ´s self, within oneÂ´s world.

"Be well, do good work, and keep in touch”- Garrison Keillor

2009-07-26T22:18:00.004-05:00

This morning at breakfast there was a great surprise,
The coffee, milk and jam were out before we even arrived.
Without any special requests, the staff could not glare.
We ate everything up without a plantain to spare

After the morning talk, we had all the information we could gather.
We piled into the van and so began the daily chatter.
Pulling into La Ciudad we saw all the tutors sitting in a row,
Waiting to hear their fate; will they stay or can they go?

I spent most of my day painting in the Panaderia,
While pan y orejas consumed my ideas
Mario doesn´t seem to want the painting to end
He always seems to have another job for me and my friends

Finally off to lunch, the food seems to be getting better every day,
Ever since los niños left anyways
No more cleaning up after 22 little ones for me,
I´m back to the bakery painting every door I can see

While Tom and Sloan scrape and stain benches,
For the rest of us, our fist around our brush clenches.
Our persistence is rewarded with bakery rolls;
It´s Mario´s way of encouraging us to come back and work more.

Tonight we went to dinner and a show.
All but one of us were in tow.
The Peruvian dancing and food were all so great,
Even Allison felt compelled to partake.

With more food than I had eaten all week,
By the end of the night I was ready to sleep.

By Kattie

Like all good things in life...

2009-07-26T21:54:00.004-05:00

To rise early with a clear mind and a healthier body helps us to focus on the plans for the following day. Everyone was seated for breakfast promptly and was interested in hearing Sloan’s review of Monday. The one thing we know was that La Ciudad de los Niños was starting their winter break later that day. The team was not sure how the process would flow.
Arriving at the Ciudad was familiar; the younger grades were in session at the school next door. Therefore, most of the jobs included sweeping, making beds, folding clothes and experimenting with communication in Spanish. Using single words, facial expressions and body movement helped advance my feeble Espanol, but sentences were not always completely understood, leaving us in a moment of “huh”?! The older familia volunteers headed to the bakery to continue a never ending mega-project of scraping, sanding and painting – this in order for the bakery to comply with local government code requirements.
Working at the Lavanderia had its surprises. After Edith translated a description of the job, the fundamentals were sensible, that is until the laundry supervisor appeared with a distressed look, saying that the shirts, long sleeved and short sleeved were hung incorrectly. Arms were dangling randomly; shirts were not sequenced from the side wall to the center; nor were they properly ordered from the back to the front; nor were the short sleeved shirts hanging 90 degrees to the long sleeved shirts. So, let’s start all over again, pull them down and get it right, gal. Later I learned to assume nothing, and did a demo for the supervisor before beginning. I guess, there really is something to the old truth that if you expect, then let someone inspect.
Lunch was the usual routine with a vegetable soup broth, hot faintly flavored water and a main course – this one of rice, cauliflower, and chicken – and, more appealing to my taste than other lunchtime fare. The los niños were excited about their winter break vacation. Following lunch most of the boys returned to their familias to pack clothes, clean their cubby holes and prepare for their journeys home. It is unbelievable how much the small boys can fit into one back pack and a medium sized yard waste bag.
At 3:00pm. the entire Ciudad de los Niños gathered in front of the front office for a blessing from Brother Hugo of good wishes and God Bless You. Gradually all of the children were leaving the Ciudad with their families, relatives or guardians. By the time us Global Volunteers gathered to head back to the Hostal Terrablanca, it seemed evacuated. It was very difficult to say good-bye, chau or adios or whatever parting words to boys with whom we were just starting to feel comfortable, especially knowing that we would not likely ever see them again. My los niños were not sure if I would be there when they returned in two plus weeks.
The thought for the day: Like all good things in life, there is a beginning and an end, but in this case the end came much too quickly.

by Sheila helped by Sloan! :)

Let’s relax, cherish our time here, and be happy with what we have!

2009-07-26T15:49:00.006-05:00

We have now completed four days at the Ciudad de los ninos. The volunteers are all busy with painting projects. Those of us painting in the bakery will be thought of by Mario when the bakery begins full operation in September or October. We can all be proud of the Family signs we are busy trying to finish by tomorrow evening. There are times when I have felt frustration with the projects as the projects would go so much faster if we had better tools, even power tools to work with. And then I relax and tell myself that it is ok, I have time and that the projects will get done. When I arrived, I thought, ÖK¨, let me make a huge impact and go, go, go! Now after a few days I am telling myself to relax, to visit with the boys, to work with the boys, and to slow down to enjoy myself with my task at hand. Seriously, if we had stayed home and just sent the money to the Ciudad de los ninos, the projects could be done by the professionals. Our main job is to be an ambassador for the United States and to leave the boys remembering our warmth and caring personalities. My husband once attended a class where he was asked, ¨Who made you what you are today?¨ Many answers spewed forward but the correct answer was, 95% of who you are and what you have accomplished is based on the situation where you grew up. I see these loving boys and know that the Ciudad de los ninos is a good place for them, helping them to reach their potential. I am happy to be here with them even if it is only for a short time.

By Kristy :)

It takes a village to raise a child...

2009-05-31T20:59:00.000-05:00

Today was another standard day. No major tasks or traumas on our end, but one boy was taken to the hospital. I used to volunteer at a children´s hospital in the States and even there the parents often used the hospital as child care. They were uninvolved and nowhere to be found. Today, Hermano Hugo stayed with the boy the entire day, he truly is dedicated to those boys.

I´ve become partial to the 4 year olds. Of course there are a few other boys I´m attached to as well, but the 4 year olds, as a whole, have won my heart. Juvenal with his little face and need for attention, Figo always in trouble but very bright, Matthew starting fights just for attention who can always be stopped for a hug, and the twins with their eyes and their voices and those dance moves! I´ve been conscious about spreading my time with everyone, but it seems the 4 year olds need me most. Alejandro was exhausted and just having a hard day. I held him a couple times and eventually he just fell asleep on my shoulder. He´d have these dreams where he´d just start moving around nervously and I´d hold him tighter and he´d instantly relax. Walking around with him, talking to the other kids, I kept thinking ´´Who will do this next week?´´ How can I go home confident that Alejandro, Carlos, Juvenal, etc. don´t feel abandoned...again. I know another team is coming soon, but who knows how they´ll bond with the littlest ones. The 3 and 4 year olds are still so little and need so much love. The tutors don´t have time to hold them when they´re tired or insecure. If I could give any advice to the next group, it would be to hold those little ones as much as possible. In trying to make the most out of everything, I also hope the next team might bond with the kids I didn´t have as strong a connection. Most importantly, I hope I made a difference.

For my quote today, the African proverb seems most appropriate: ´It takes a village to raise a child´´

2009-05-31T20:53:00.000-05:00

“May you always shave enough happiness to keep us sweet, enough trials to keep you strong; enough success to keep you eager; enough faithto give you courage;and enough determination to make each day a good day”

Today was really relaxing. This was our 4th day and everyone is finally comfortable...both volunteers and tutors. The kids are happy to see us and greet us affectionately. Even with the language barrier we are all communicating effectively. Everyone pitched in to help with the little ones which was so nice. They are a ton of work and it can be overwhelming. We are hoping the tutors are enjoying their short break from some of their responsibilities. Josie got hit in the head with a soccer ball so she helped the 6 years olds with homework and we watched our kids dance which was so fun to watch. The home is the best of a bad situation for most of our kids and they are amazingly happy.

Helping just by being there!

2009-05-31T20:46:00.000-05:00

This morning Edith reminded the group of our team characteristics. The goal of our team here is to put first the boys / Asociacion, then the team / Global volunteers and ourselves last. To me, this means to at all times be concerned with how my actions are affecting the kids and how we appear to the tutors. Today is a long day, beginning and ending in the church, so we all are preparing ourselves to be on our best behavior.

A procession took place before we got to the center, to celebrate the Virgin Mary (Virgen Maria). While I couldn’t understand the mass we went to, the boys all seemed to pay attention for the most part, although I did see a number gazing around the room. I guess some things are the same wherever you are! Then we went straight to our familias after the service to get started on our morning activities.

Today in my familia, San Antonio, we finally finished re-organizing the massive closet! This consisted of refolding all the boys’ clothing and moving summer and winter clothes around. I think we got the hang of it by the end (muy bonito!) and were rewarded with fresh papaya juice, which we were told is good for your stomach.

After lunch the boys played in their yard while we helped the other tutors clean the floors. The houses are kept very tidy, with the floors washed at least twice a day and the boys pick up their clothes and school books and clean their shoes as they’re told. When we were done, I watched some of the boys play a mathematics game with dice, which I was told was a way for the boys to learn multiplication tables while keeping it fun. They have such an intense study schedule, that it’s good they still can find learning fun in other ways.

In today’s lesson, I looked through a history book with one of the boys and helped him translate animals into English. He seemed very excited to learn English words, so I was very willing to help him. The boys all seem to really enjoy talking and sitting with us, even if I can’t understand what they’re saying. I guess even if we’re not teaching them to read, write or do math, we’re still helping them just by being there.

Tonight was a special occasion for the volunteers. First we helped the tutors get the boys ready for dinner. I can say it’s quite a production to get 35 boys washed and ready for dinner! Then we stayed after dinner to go to the boys’ prayer. I was worried it would be like the morning mass, but the night time prayer is singing, hand gestures and a little bit of praying. It was a lot of fun dancing around with the boys, and a great experience to have been a part of. This would be a great thing to go on the video that one of the other volunteers (from Norway) is putting together of the Asociacion to put on YouTube!

Jenna Kruppa

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fearis that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness,that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous,talented and fabulous?

Actually who are we not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinkingso

that other peoplewon't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine as children do.

We were born to make manifestthe glory of

God that is within us.It's not just in some of us;

it's in everyone.

And when we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson

First day at Ciudad de los Ninos!

2009-05-31T20:42:00.001-05:00

The ride over to the Boys Home was unnerving as the traffic was unbelievable, and I thought we were going to be hit several times. After a couple of u turns (the poor cab following us), we arrived. The Father of the Boys Home was most welcoming and had perfect English. I was taken back by the pigs – the little piglets which did not have a long time to live, and then the monster father pig. The father had a harem of mother pigs, much like in some ancient cultures.

I myself had never seen the chickens gathered in such close quarters, not could believe the number of eggs they laid every day. All the animals, gardening, work shops made sense as they were all cumulating in money for the home. We are touring some of the other shops another day.

I took the middle group of boys, since I knew I liked the age group of 5-7. I was alone as far as our group went, and my tutors did not know English. I really didn’t have to do a whole lot in the morning initially, but did manage to mend some clothes (which I saw on the boys in the afternoon), fold clothes, and then I traced pictures for two of the boys to color. Tracing definitely was not a known skill of mine, but I survived.

As the boys arrived, they seemed to come in almost one by one. I had no idea the total number for several minutes. They just started pealing off their clothes to get into their afternoon outfits. I realized they just took whatever shirt/pants were out on the counter, and then many came up to talk to me.
I guess my first name is difficult as when they see it in print, it’s not pronounced like its spelled. My last name they could pronounce correctly every time, just by reading it. I just kind of froze and never really was able to say I didn’t speak English, but laughing and smiling seemed to work.

Lunch was unusual for me, as I didn’t realize the amount of food they ate and the order of how they have to eat it. As I kept trying to give them the drink, I never knew it had to be drunk after the meal. Naturally I was next to the slowest eater in the group, and I felt bad, cause the boys didn’t get chocolate until they had completely emptied their soup bowl, and plate. I made sure he got his chocolate, but it took awhile for him to finish.

After lunch the entire rest of the day was spent on homework. Although it took awhile for everyone to brush their teeth, and use the restroom, I was in charge of counting the number of sections of toilet paper for each boy, and when I gave one boy not enough, he did notice. The journals all had math problems and an essay from the morning. It took me several hours to realize some of the boys hadn’t copied the math problems, and when they kept jumping up and down to look at other boys journals, I actually thought they were coping answers. I had the table with the ones who couldn’t seem to be focused. Although after their showers, some of them settled down, since I understand homework has to be done before bedtime, or they don’t get to go to bed.

Showers and another change of clothes was the last thing I got to be involved with. They were preparing for dinner with a shirt and matching over shirt and pants. They all were dressed alike, and so cute. As we took two of them to the doctor and I had to leave, I got hugs. Hoping tomorrow, I can help more, since I understand the routine more.

Everyone seemed very tired on the way home, so we went straight to dinner. All had stories about their groups. The food here is so good, and very reasonable. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.

It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of like that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at he goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.

Laurie Kruppa

Feelings, emotions and life lessons: Villa El Salvador

2009-04-09T21:47:00.000-05:00

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

Go hange a life today!

2009-04-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

"Yesterday, John tasked us to be aware PIE (Person in Environment) in the morning; I worked out of the Hospitalito that morning as I will all week. There were only four children there yesterday, which gave me more time to work one on one. I have made a bond with my little friend, Omar. Omar is eight years old, he has not been feeling very well, with cold and fever symptoms. He was a bit playfull when I was there, but mostly wanted to just sit on the couch and snuggle. I am sure my mother used to do this for me whan I was 8 years old. The afternoon on Tuesday, Jacob and I (attempted) to teach 8-10 year old boys some conversational English. We showed them plastic shaped animals, and they would scream out the word in Spanish. Jacob and I would write the English word on the blackboard ( pizzara) and sound out the word. We eventually moved outside, and sat them in a circle (rueda), we had them hand a soccer ball to either their neighbor or pass or gently throw it to another boy and proceed with the next number one, two, three... in English, of which they knew how to count. As we were playing this game one of the more timid boys had his head lowered. One of the more rambunctious boys noticed this and threw the ball at him and purposely hit him on the top of his lowered head. Jacob and I made immediate eye contact, and as true social workers noted the social injustice in this act. As I moved to comfort this boy, we politely asked the boy who threw the ball to apologize. After some further prodding, he reluctantly did so. There was another sweet boy seated next to him on his left, who instantly reached over to comfort him with a hand around his shoulder, and a rubbing of the back of his neck. (a possible social worker in the making) This is not my day for "thought for the day" but I do have one...It is an understatement, that we as social workers have the capacity to with a smile, a gentle word or a nod of the head, a kind word, to alter, redirect and ultimately change a life. Go change a life today. "

Tony Loya

Our goal: To give individual care to each of the children!

2009-04-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

"We got an in depth tour of the PPA. It was a hard revolution to know that the PPA takes care of at least 450 children from all over Lima. These kids come from all different ages (several months till 18). Some are orphans, and don’t have anywhere else to go. The others, their parents aren’t able to take care of them, so they come to the PPA. It was hard to walk into this giant room for the toddlers and hear a couple of them just screaming. Edith, our local team leader told us that the child just come in a couple of days ago. Many of the workers don’t always have time to give individual care to each of the children, only to take care of them. That is hopefully what we are here to accomplish."

Jacob Campbell

“Live with reverence for yourself and others.”

2009-02-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

Today Juana and I were feeling the cumulative effects of the one and a half weeks of challenging and exhausting work at the Puericultorio Perez Aranibar. Even though there are only two of us it is clear that we are helping. The PPA has been short-staffed this week and two extra adults to help play with and care for the children does make a difference.

Today I continued my work with the siblings. Diana and Ruth were there although Nehista and Omar were able to go home this week. Diana (4) and Ruth (2) are wonderful, loving and independent sisters. It is difficult to get them to listen to me and I am often running after one or both, but knowing that I am enabling them to have this time together inspires me to keep going. Although the girls are mischievous, I know they really only get to be mischievous around me. To hear them giggle with happiness makes it more than worthwhile.

I also continued my work with the toddlers as well. The group I generally help with includes Jorge, Ruth, Guadalupe, and Talia. I am happy for the time I have to play with them and can see their faces light up when I say their name or push them in a car.

Juana has continued her work teaching English and working with the four year old girls. Juana spends a lot of time planning her teaching strategy in order to teach the girls as effectively as possible. Juana also spends a lot of time with the kinder girls and playing games, reading books and engaging in many activities.

Tonight Bill, Jean, Juana and Kari were taken to Barranco by Edith to say goodbye to Bill and Jean as they return to Wisconsin and had a good discussion of values in our society. It is clear that we all seek justice and fairness in our world. We have all furthered that goal with our service to the PPA.

Kari Zipko

“The art of happiness is to serve all.” - February 4th

The fellow who does things that count doesn't usually stop to count them.”

2009-02-24T19:45:00.000-05:00

This day in Lima, Peru dawned bright, warm, and beautiful. After the usual bus ride to PPA, Kari and Juana began their morning activities. At the suggestion of Edith, our valued program leader, Juana used catalogs and other picture material donated by our hotel, Hostal Torreblanca, to entertain the four-year-olds, who cut and pasted and designed “posters” which they signed. Later Juana and an aide made a tricycle tour with six of the four-year-olds to that part of the PPA campus which is next to the ocean. The aide spoke English very well. When asked where she had studied English, she responded that she had been listening to songs sung in English all of her life. Aha!

In the afternoon Juana attempted to teach a few English words to a group of lively seven-year-olds. Most popular among the group were Spanish/English picture dictionaries. On this day the most motivated “estudiantes” seemed to prefer learning on their own as they dutifully read words and phrases out loud or copied them on the white board.

Kari continued her afternoon work with the challenging and out-of-control toddlers.

The two woman team reviewed their day's work over dinner at the hotel.

Juana Snook

Visiting home...

2009-02-01T19:29:00.000-05:00

"The usual bus ride to the school (PPA), but today we take a van with a social worker on a follow-up visit to one of the parents whose children (2) are in PPA. The lady, Sabina, had temporarily lost custody of her children because of poor health. The trip to Carabayllo took over an hour through heavy traffic. Her home was in a very poor area of “Leantos” and primitive dwellings on a parched hillside. We met and spoke with Sabina who was thin and missing many teeth. She had a lung disease. Possibly T.B. Her age was only 38. She had 4 children and had lost one from a miscarriage recently. Her house was very primitive, but seemed clean.

We toured a soup kitchen for the neighborhood funded by a combination of apoyo social &
contrib from neighborhood residents.

A lthough obviously poor, neighborhood residents seemed clean, well dressed, and involved"

Bill Hoge

“You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

2009-01-29T19:14:00.000-05:00

January 25th-26th

Welcome, Team 72. Tonight as I picked up this journal I started to brainstorm the number 72. I began to think about the significance of our small team, this particular week, the 72nd group of people spending their time at Puericultorio Perez Aranibar. There have been 71 teams before us, 71 first days at PPA, 71 journals, and hopefully there will be many more that follow. So what is the significance of team 72?

Today in our first meeting it was mentioned that we are part of a chain. A chain of people from all over the world, here for various reasons, all connected by these children in whose lives we are trying to make a difference. We all started our multiple tasks today. Whether we are coloring with the girls, chasing the runaways, or changing a diaper, we are each making a difference in their daily lives. We are giving them an unconditional loving interaction that otherwise they may never have. Who knows whether they will remember our individual faces, or how to pronounce our names, but I am sure they will never forget the “voluntarios” who always come to play and have fun with them. Marian Wright Edelman said, “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

Chances are we will never see these kids after they have grown, or know what kind of impact we truly made. But if we can be a part of those small daily differences, then Team 72 can be a strong link in the chain that makes the world a better place for these deserving children, part of a chain that will undoubtedly change their lives.

Cheryl

Greeting for 25th Anniversary - from PPA

2009-01-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

To Global Volunteers

I have the pleasure to write to you to give you an affective greeting in name of the kids and teenagers sheltered and in my name because of the occasion to celebrate 25 years of foundation, giving support to the most needed ones in many countries where you participate, and 5 of them you are supporting Puericultorio Perez Aranibar in an uninterrupted way. We wish you a lot of success in your praiseworthy work that you do and God fill you with blessings.

It is an appropriate moment to reiterate my feelings of my most distinguished consideration to you.

Sincerely,

Ms. Maria Elsa De Rossi Fataccioli

Director of Puericultorio Perez Aranibar

Magdalena Del Mar, January 27th, 2009

Small but Mighty

2008-07-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

First impressions.

Without consulting Mr. Webster I would describe them as the observations we make based on what we already know from our past experiences. I speak for all of my teammates what I say that we came to Lima and the PPA with our own personal experiences and histories that enabled us to make initial impressions of our time here with Global Volunteers. Fortunately the concept of a first impression implies that they don't last long. With time we gain more knowledge, perspective and ultimately, new understanding.

Lima: My first impressions of this bustling city were that it was a polluted urban setting with insane drivers that had no respect for pedestrians. I've lost count of the time Mili, Katie, or Robi had to put their hand out to stop me from crossing in the middle of oncoming traffic. And the pollution. I wondered if I might have to hold my breath for 2 weeks in order to filter out the octane infused air I was not accustomed to. I quickly learned through observation and Mili's vast knowledge that, quite simply, this is how they drive in Lima. If you didn't keep up with the insanity, you would surely cause an accident. In my 2 weeks there, I experienced many knee-grabbers, but not one single accident.

Another first impression I had that last for at least the first week is how gray and cold Lima seemed. Did the sun ever come out or was it always like this? As I am sitting here in the main hall of the PPA I am gazing out at the sun and blue sky. We knew Lima wouldn't let us down!

My Teammates: Initially I came into the Global program thinking that I would make many new friends. And with a team of 3 we were going to be surrounded by each other more than other groups normally are. We basically were set up to be great friends or worst enemies. Boy, did I luck out! As the days unfolded I realized that I had been grouped with 2 of the most energetic, kind and carefree people I have come across in my travels. It wasn't the quantity of people in the group byt rather the quality of the time we spent together. Team 59 may have been small, but we were mighty! Between the 3 of us we were able to do several jobs: Siblings group, Ricardo and Franklin, Toñito Silva, Teaching English to 3rd graders and also to the High School girls. We also were very active in the movie department from setting up to popping the "canchita" to breaking it down. I feel so lucky to have been part of such an inspirational team. Of course we wouldn't have been able to stay together without our amazing team leader, MILI!

Finally, the PPA. My first tour around the campus left me feeling sad and sorry for the children there. I couldn't figure out with 460 children why the campus seemed so deserted.

Most of my first impressions of PPA were changed within the first few days. Observing the children go about their daily activities, some getting bussed off campus, some at school at PPA, I realized that just because I didn't see them didn't mean they weren't doing anything Dance classes, cooking classes, workshops, sewing; the PPA was constantly bustling with activity.

Most importantly though was how the PPA transformed from a sad place to a home of opportunity for so many. Seeing the interaction between the staff and children and observing teir vibrant smiles and feeling their joyful hugs reminded me that these children regardless of age were fortunate to be there. The PPA provided them with care, food, safety and most importantly, LOVE!

I feel so honored to have been a part of Team 59, serving at the PPA. I will take with me many wonderful memories of making the most out of what might seem like a little. Thank you Global for an amazing experience.

An Endless Amount of Energy

2008-07-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm."--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today I realized just how much energy is necessary to keep up with life at PPA. Although I was feeling sub-par I was able to make it though with the help of my fabulous teammate and group leader. Thank goodness Robi is back to 100%! Despite my energy deficiency, it was another action packed day at PPA. Ricardo and Franklin were unusually occupied with the playdough today. Tey prepared an extensive menu of helado, hamburguesas, and pizza. I felt sad when I thought of my last day with them approaching and wondered who would be there after me. This makes me feel compelled to leave copious nopes for the next volunteer in line. I have learned so much about them in such a short time: from Ricardo's signature hand-clap-above-the-head to Franklin's aversion to putting the letters in his name in order. I know I will remember them, but I wonder how long they will remember me since they are so used to seeing volunteers come and go. Siblings group was another challenge to attempt to tame Maria del Carmen and Alexandra. They dabbled in painting for a short while and then moved on to puzzles before they tried to stir up so trouble. They are wise beyond their few years and cannot be reasoned with like other children their age. Today was certainly easier to separate them at the end as Robi and I both noticed. I thin the important thing is that they're getting used to the structure of the siblings group and what we expect from them. It's not that they are bad children, they are just testing their limits with 2 new strangers. Working with Robi during this sibling time has been so helpful--not only does she have the ability to connect with young people regardless of age, she has an endless amount of energy. Whether she believes it or not, it's contagious and it certainly helped me through today. And just like the quote said, I was able to lean on my friend today in order to find the enthusiasm to finish the day. Heres to a happy and healthy final two days!!

A Common Emotional Journey

2008-07-01T19:29:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "By learning you will teach, by teaching you will understand." -- Latin Proverb

Writing last in team 59's journal is not as daunting as I had originally imagined. I've truly enjoyed listening to the thoughts and interpretations of my teammates not only because I appreciate a different perspective, but also I realize that we are going through a common emotional journey. According to Mili's computer, Team 59's project is 79% complete. Thinking back to orientation 10 days ago seems like its been weeks, however, I cant help but feel like we've just gotten started. Week one really was devoted to becoming aquainted with our new setting and understanding the goals and expectations of the program: on top of this there was the attempt to memorize the numerous faces that we have come to know on a daily basis. I cant help but feel a little famous when I hear my name chanted by a group of children even it its my new alias..Erica! Now that Robi and I have had a chance to plant our feet, we can now focus on building relationships. Ricardo and Franklin have become a lively part of my morning routine. We might now have extensive verbal communication on our side, but we have managed to build a relationship on trust and consistency. Each day I am fascinated by the amout of activities that we are able to accomplish in our short time together. Their energy can be contagious and their smile, along with Franklin's "thumbs-up" make my mornings so rewarding. And each day when I drop them off they hug me goodbye. Just like that, no words needed. The high school girls have been so much fun to work with. I chose my quote because it reminded me of them and how I feel like I may be learning more from them than they are fro me. Their innocence and desire to learn English is beautiful and reminds me that as a teach it is so important to learn who your students are befroe you can teach. Truly learning and understanding these girls in just 2 weeks time is impossible byt we can make a difference

Each day at PPA is a new challenge, story, and new-found understanding of something bigger. Team 59 may be 79% compelete, but I have a feeling that our time invested may continue to grow even after we have moved on.

Bricks in the foundations of a Growing Child

2008-06-30T19:13:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade." --Chinese Proverb

The quote is perfect. It so conveys a begger picture of the collective purpose of Global Volunteers. When I first explored the possibility of serving as a volunteer, I wondered how the children at PPA adapted to so many different people coming to volunteer. It seemed as if life would feel like one giant revolving door with people moving in, staying for a very short amount of time and then moving on. I imagined that children might need to protect themselves with so many hellos and goodbyes, and perhaps be reluctant to embrace yet another group of volunteers. What I have come up understand is that the children look forward to each and every new team. Although each child I have met has a unique personality they have opened their hearts t the 59th team. And then will continue to open their hearts to each team that follows us. The words that our team leader expressed during our Sunday orientation come to life when you experience the history that has been built by prior teams. It is like each volunteer works and plays with certain children never knowing exactly what the impact will be. We all place several more bricks in the foundation of a growing and developing child but we most likely will never get to see the child again.
I can only hope and trust that sweet little Fabian will know that just as I have cuddled him in my lap on the long taxi ride to the deaf school that the next volunteers will as well. If you are lucky enough to spent time with Fabian you will soon learn that his smile and giggle will be one of the absolute best parts of your day. If each of us can work to strengthen the muscles of the children who need it, bring siblings together to play and enjoy each other, struggle with the high school girls as they learn more English, tuck just a few more toddlers into bed at night. If we can do our volunteer tasks with love and kindness for the children we have come to care deeply about them we have indeed contributed and we will have succeeded in placing a few more bricks to build a brighter future for the children who will undoubtedly wrap their hands around your heart just as they have done to me..and all in such a short time. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! I feel honored to have worked with and been a brief part of the lives of the children and staff of the PPA and Global Volunteers. They provide the mortar that makes our contribution possible.

To Laugh Like a Child

2008-06-29T19:05:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: " The challenge is to be true to yourself and live as one. To laugh like a child and love with the power of your soul. To follow your own heart and act for the world." --Unknown

We're now a team of two. Katie's last day was Friday and Erin and I will miss her, as well the children at the PPA. We had an eventful day Friday with the morning spent at Toñito Silva and Erin working with her 2 guys, Franklin and Ricardo. The afternoon brought us all together to share Hulk 2 with the 5th graders. It was hard to tell what the kids enjoyed more--the movie or the treats!
It is so different starting week 2. We will be so much more familiar with PPA, the routine of the children, and our jobs. Erin and I plan on giving it our fullest--even though we are few in number, we are mighty in our desire to contribute and continue the work of Team Awesome.

P.S. Team Awesome celebrated Robi's birthday with style of Friday night--great food, great company, and yes, some Cusqueña which we have all enjoyed!

Team Awesome

2008-06-26T18:56:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." --Michelangelo

Time has gone so fast. It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the end of out first week. Team Awesome, formerly known as Team 59, has really bonded. I feel so blessed to be working with my 2 stateside teammates, Katie and Erin, our team leader Milagros, and Molly our team intern.

After completing our day jobs with Toñito Silva, working with Franklin and Ricardo, facilitating the siblings group, and teaching English to the 3rd grade girls, all 3 of us worked with the high school girls on their English and then read stories to the little ones (Katie and I didn't actually read due to our limited Spanish. We did a lot of single words, pointed, and let our 3 year old buddies take the lead!) We ended out long Thursday with a great dinner at Donatello. I think I can speak for all 3 of us, we thoroughly enjoyed the kids today and are so glad we chose the Peru site for our first Global Volunteers experience.

Different Perspectives

2008-06-25T13:33:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "The flip side also has a flip side." -- Chinese Proverb

Today was a day of different perspectives. Seeing life from the experiences of many of the children who live at PPA. We took public transportation to one of the many shantytowns of Lima. THe congestion of the streets, the competition of transportation vans for passengers, and the daring habits of Peruvians bring new meaning to the phrase "reach out and touch someone." It is amazing that side view mirrors exist on Taxis and vans! We learned about shantytowns from Molly prior to leaving--basic insight into how and why they exist in Lima. Our 2 hour 2 bus ride took us past a variety of visual images--some interesting, some viscerally challenging to Katie (the slaughtered cow hanging by its feet--fortunately for Erin and I we missed that sight!), and some difficult to experience (the slums of downtown Lima). The 3 of us volunteers really noticed and physically experienced the pollution, which visibly worsened the closer we got to Huaycan. The social worker from the PPA came with us as did 2 girls from PPA.

It is difficult to describe the shantytowns we visited, its best experienced. I suspect that no one visits a shantytown without being deeply affected by the sights, sound, and smells. For me I saw extreme poverty, shacks supported by pieces of metal and wood, homes made of cinderblock. Dirt roads and paved roads. Houses with electricity, houses without. Children playing in the streets, children watching us as we passed by. Being sensitive to the plight of animals, I saw many many dogs, scavenging for food and scratching flea bitten bodies. I also saw a puppy carried by a smiling, laughing child and a puppy curled up in a basket of laundry. And as we have come to know, there will always be a few dogs dressed in shirts and sweaters!

The experience is, at least for now a bit of a paradox. Through some eyes, the shantytowns represent land relegated as undesirable with sandy soil, a distance from worst employment, and void of services. Seen through other eyes, a shanty town represented the opportunity to own land, to construct one's home.

Through one set of eyes, one sees despair, through another set of eyes I see a phenomenal resourcefulness and resiliency of people who live int he shantytowns. Through one set of eyes, I see children who used to live at PPA because a healthy life could not be sustained for them in the shantytown. Through another lens, I saw the tears in the eyes of a 12-year-old girl who hugged her mom hello and goodbye in the span of 10 minutes and perhaps might of wished that she could have stayed.

The experience will forever be etched in my memory. But along with the memory of extreme poverty and hardship of day-to-day life, will co-exist the memory of 3 proud women at the soup kitchen, who warmly greeted us,thanked us for coming, and though Mili conveyed the importance of us visiting their community. A day of contrasts, a day of understanding, a glimpse into the lives of some of the children and parents at PPA. A day like no other.

Creative

2008-06-24T18:32:00.000-05:00

Working with Emily was great. She is so sweet. She really didn't like physical therapy--immediately crying as soon as the doctor tried to hold her. She kept reaching for me. She likes the balls--she laid in them and kept handing them to me one by one. She cried as hard as she could when doing each task, but then took a nap while I waited for Nancy.

With the siblings we made jewelry. Candy was done in a few minutes. Diana pouted at first, but then got into it and was very creative in her execution. We took photos of the kids. They loved it and kept taking our cameras to take some of us. Tutoring the high school girls was fun. We talked about music and who they liked. They actually seemed interested to learn--asking us how to spell things. We played Tic-Tack-Toe and HopScotch. Then we read to the little ones. They were so sweet. We all noticed how they put their little slippers away and pulled down their own sheets. As soon as they laid down they closed their eyes. THey have been taught well--they know the routine. All and all, a full, exhausting day. It went well--except getting yelled at my the nun about the cold weather and my sandals. A good day.

Day 2: Staff Meeting and Afternoon Projects

2008-06-23T18:19:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "Do something every day that scares you."--Eleanor Roosevelt

We arrived on campus and immediately saw how much property there actually is for the kids. The building are gorgeous and when first built is must have really been a palace and an amazement for the community to see. I love how many kids run up to Molly and Mili shouting their names and giving them big hugs. You can really see how they've impacted their lives. Some of the kids immediately hugged us, which is a good sign that they know the volunteers are there for them and they trust them because they are with Mili and Molly. I got to observe the communication between the staff and Mili. Global Volunteers seems to be an extremely important part of PPA.

The afternoon session was good. I thought it was funny how many kids pretended to be siblings in order to come with us. Getting to and from our project was difficult. Lots of tagalongs and all trying to rifle through our games that we were carrying. It gave us some ideas on how to better organize for tomorrow--right up my alley. And I cant wait to work with Emily and Fabian. The language was a barrier. It really makes me want to learn as much as possible so that I can communicate better with the kids. Or I'll have to come back next year after I learn some more at home! We picked Mili's brain about the culture at dinner. That is something that I have a feeling we will do a lot. We're a curious bunch. The small group continues to be great--we all get along well, so I think we are lucky to be just three.

Day One: Orientation and City Tour

2008-06-22T18:07:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: "Every day do something that will bring you closer to a better tomorrow."--Doug Firebaugh

Today was surprisingly exhausting. Orientations was a day of learning--about PPA, Global Volunteers, the team, and the projects. Our team is small, which I feel will be a great advantage. Not only was getting to and ordering dinner easy, but also we all seem to have similar goals and expectations for this trip. Erin and Robi have a teacher's perspective and their skills for lesson planning will be a huge advantage. Mili and Molly have already been a great help with the language--and they don't seem to get annoyed when I ask what a simple word means. It was interesting to see how priorities emerged once we heard about the projects. I thought for sure I'd be doing arts and crafts with the 3-5 year olds, or holding babies, but instead we all chose to do something that will most benefit PPA--working with Toñito Silva, Franklin and Ricardo, Siblings, and English for girls. I think its more important to be where Global and the PPA need us most that to use my arts and crafts skills with the kids. And Sweet Dreams sounds like it will be a really meaningful experience. The city tour was full of interesting architecture--some Tudor housing seemed oddly placed. The wooden balconies were amazing craftsmanship--although wood from bottom to top is not the kind of balcony I can imagine sitting on to enjoy, I'd definitely prefer one with the glass windows! There was an adorable little girl named Stephanie on our tour, and she and Robi become fast friends. Robi's teacher skills shined through immediately, crouching down to get on her level and asking her questions that brought out funny little stories. Erin also immediately asked her age. I think I'll learn a lot about interacting with children from these two. Stephanie's journal was great! Little drawings of things going on around. Everyone I've met is so well traveled and enthusiastic about everywhere they've been. I don't think meeting the goal of understanding the culture will be an issue, as it seems like we all appreciate other cultures and hold our experiences high. The anticipation of meeting the staff and kids is on my mind. It will be a good day!

This is faith in the good of humanity...

2008-06-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

Our last day is quickly slipping away. In a few hours we begin to go our separate ways. We were strangers at the beginning and now we are friends. We ventured from the East Coast and the West Coast and states in between but managed to find ways to share common ground. Whether we were teachers or students before this we have all been both at times during the last two weeks. Some of us may have different religious beliefs, but we are all bonded by the same faith. This is a faith in the good of humanity—the good in each one of us and the good of those here that are deserving of our love. Our job the last few weeks has been to give our time, out resources, our love and every bit of ourselves we could muster. While exhausting at times this adventure will stay with us for years to come.
I had to say goodbye to Emily today. She has no family to call her own. It was excruciatingly painful. Ive written down all the things Emily will miss being an orphan but I had to scratch them all out. We cannot waste time planning our regrets for the future or anyone else’s. As difficult as it is, I want to look towards the light, which is all the people at this table. Those children had our words, out songs, our attention and our hearts for these two weeks but because of Edith, Mili, and Global Volunteers our spirit of hope and love remains with these children and will continue to be shared throughout the next group not only for the next two weeks but for years to come.
Emily may not have a mother to put a note in her lunch box on her first day of school or a father to walk her down the aisle, but she had someone who loves her help her tak her first steps. There will be many people to love Emily, you would be crazy not to. I will keep a place for her in my heart as well as a place for all the light we share and for those that have come to care for the children before us and those that will come after.
I wish I had more time to gather my thoughts and write. I wanted to be clever about so many things—the driving, the taxis, Peruvian Time, the running around and the runs, the flushing of toilet paper, the snot, the pee I discovered soaked through my sweatshirt, all of Edith’s “no problems” and “however’s.” Just as I am rushed to pack, I am leaving feeling like I could do so much more if I had the time. But since I have a plane to catch I will just say, please continue the faith you have in the good in ourselves and in others. Continue to share the spirit that brought us here and the spirit of the beautiful children of the PPA.
--Amy G.

Summer that permeates my soul...

2008-06-19T21:55:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: “In the midst of winter, I found within myself an incredible summer”-Albert Camus

I have always loved this quote but I find it especially applicable to this volunteer experience here. It is literally winter here, the skies are grey, the air is grey, it is cold, damp and dreary, and yet every face from those around the breakfast table to Edith’s at the front of the bus to baby Daphne’s in her baby swing, to baby Talia’s as she jumps up and down in her crib—everyone exudes a warm sense of summer that permeates my soul. I am seen winter in the poverty of the shantytowns and the Taxi drivers and the vendors who beckon us to buy from their carbon copy stalls—BUT I see an invincible summer in the pride of the Peruvian people of their heritage and culture and in the eternal hope visible daily through the compassionate and patience of the staff and volunteers that endlessly love, shelter, and care for the children at the PPA. As the end of this experience winds draws near, I can honestly say, I have met my goals. I have improved my Spanish—or at least made an honest attempt to communicate; I have most definitely experienced the food and culture of Peru and without a doubt broadened my understanding of another part of the world. I am extremely grateful to Edith for her ceaseless energy and willingness to answer all of our questions and educate us in all aspects of Peruvian life. And I don’t need a camera to create the images in my mind of thirteen-year-old Viviana’s smile, her interest in my life and her desire to learn or Maria Alejandra’s face with reflected the purest of pride and joy when she realized that I was among those who visited her home. There are the snapshots that have created the invincible summer within me. It has been a great time and an amazing two weeks!
--Susan

They are all worth experiencing...

2008-06-18T21:54:00.000-05:00

Last night we ate in Barranco, where many were surprised to find that yes, Peruvians can make a delicious steak. With the beautiful scenery of water, cliffs, and a lighted up cross, it almost seemed like a separate world. I have had many such experiences here in Peru. The PPA is a town in itself; a somewhat disorganized one at that. The Inka Market is a place full of hustle and bustle. The streets are a hectic, chaotic mess which can take time to navigate and can seem like a certain death sentence. They are all worth experiencing.

Now, the two weeks are winding down and our conversations are flecked with “Oh, I’m going to miss the kids!” and “What will happen with so-and-so?” In the scheme of things, two weeks doesn’t seem like a long time, but many of us have found out it is sufficient to make life-long memories. The kids at the PPA are unforgettable. Their cute smiles and infectious laughter will stay with me for many years to come. –Allison S.

The Power of Now!

2008-06-17T21:54:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: The Power of Now “Leave your analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. Bring yourself to the Now, the exact moment you are in, where we find our joy, embrace our true selves and discover that we are already complete and perfect.” --Lynn

It’s difficult to write about my genuine experience without sounding cheesy. There are many generic adjectives that one might use to describe an experience like this—wonderful, enriching, challenging, satisfying, fruitful, etc—And this experience was all of these and more, but its hard to describe exactly what it was that gives substance to all these words. Of course, I can simply say, ‘Well, basically I did some construction work in the morning and taught English in the afternoon” and then top it all off by saying it was wonderful, enriching, challenging, etc. But there are already hundreds of testimonies like this, which say the same thing in a thousand different ways, and perhaps this is not different. Though it may be true that I indeed did do a little work and taught English for a week and that it was rewarding in the aforementioned ways, I feel drawn to express myself in another direction.
As a volunteer, it may come off funny and selfish of me to way that I feel as if I am the one who benefited the most from my “services.” I found that I can go to a different part of the world and hold a conversation with a taxi driver and find a simple joy in it, I can tell jokes to kids and adults alike and laugh together with them, and I can feel as if my greatest cultural difference of company for one short week. Tomorrow I will go back home and continue my life and college education, and the children at Puericultorio will stay as they always have unless they’re too old to stay and they have to go on to something else. But the sliver of greatness in this experience is not something to speak of in an ‘after-the-matter’ tone, the children’s lives are not any better now that I am gone—it was better when I was there, that is what I feel now.
Upon reflection, I think I share similar feelings, which I imagine the children to feel upon enjoying the company of volunteers who are only here to stay temporarily. I have connected deeply with some of my fellow volunteers and feel a tinge of sadness as I think I will never see them again with all probability considered, however- such is how I look at this project and life in general. We are all here, now, but perhaps tomorrow that will not be so- and in my view that is no reason for despair or disconnection, but only another reason why it is important to make life good for yourself and those around you by just being there and sharing yourself as wisely as you can every single day…
I told you this would end up sounding cheesy.
Cheers, Brinton R.

Second week...no great things, only small things with great love!

2008-06-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: If you let your worries control you, you wont have any excitement and what’s life without any excitement? – Gina

Today marked the beginning of week two. We began the day fewer in number and tired from our weekend free time, but ended it with only good stories to tell.
I spent the morning with ten five-year-old “Uvas” who worked on their numbers and letters, finger-painted, and enjoyed a snack and a free range recess. I did my best to be helpful, mostly as a cleaner and nose-wiper. I enjoyed their energy and the feel of the classroom. Susan and I spent the afternoon with 13 first grade girls teaching animals and the sounds they make. The girls liked the activities that went along with the lesson, and kept us on our toes. The warm “Hasta Mañana” we heard when it was time to go felt good.
Today everything felt more familiar and comfortable, as if we belonged. Everyone we meet in encouraging and positive.
I have always liked the quote, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” I believe this experience applies. –Jane.

Give yourself a hug..

2008-06-12T21:53:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day:
Well another day went by. Worked with the toddlers and my mood cant help but charge when I see them running up to me. No matter how upset I am, they are able to lift my spirits without doing anything. This trip has so far gone smoothly. I haven’t been alb eto have so much joy, comfort, and hipe in my heart since my father took his own live in 2005. The life I have been leading seemed to have no substance, to me at least. I have met some beautiful people on this trip who I will always hold close to me heart. I just hope I’ve done as much good on this trip as it has done for me. –Faraz

Although this trip was shorter that I thought, I will still hold close the positive experiences that I have made as an individual and that we have all made together as a group. I have never worked with such kind and warm people who are so gibing to one another, and who really do care. We are all so fortunate to have been able to spend this time together, get to know one another and do some good for the world. Even though I personally could not fulfill all my goals, I would like to pass some of them on to you. My first goal was to play at least 5 songs a week, I played about 3 this week, but the real goal here is to bring music to the kids. All of you have a voice, and I believe that you could sing to at least one child, and Anna, maybe you could sing something at sweet dreams. My second goal is an easy one to fulfill because it is very similar to the ones that most of you have. This was to make these two weeks memorable for at least one kid, and I know that all of you are capable of that and I hope that although my time was short, a small impact was made. And as for my third goal, to buy my mom an alpaca sweater because dad shrunk hers in the wash, well Grandma is taking care of that this afternoon. Thanks, Grams. Thank you all for being one of the things on this trip that I will remember most, and for your support, kindness, great personalities and compassion. Give yourself a hug Team 58. – Sara N.

Peru: priority + happiness = family

2008-06-11T10:52:00.000-05:00

Thought of the day: "Being adventurous with food can be fun and surprising but having Edith there to explain how to eat it can be a life saver! "– Allison T.

Sara is not feeling well and Lee is taking care of her, so I will help to write the journal. There is not June 12th without June 11th, right?

Today it is one of the most important days of this adventure in service because today we are going to visit one of the kids’ homes. We are going to Carapongo – Huachipa. We started getting ready (not drinking a lot of water and going to the bathroom). Before leaving I introduced Elizabeth and Maria Alejandra whose houses we will visit. Elizabeth has a big smile ad she is very excited to go to her house because it is one year that she hasn’t seen her mother and going home and Maria Alejandra who likes to sings and practices her English “what’s your name”, will see her grandmother who used to go to pick her up but she hasn’t gone for a long time because the social worker knows that she could be sick.

Little by little we saw how the view changes from tall building to unfinished houses, from new cars and big buses to “mototaxis”, from cute clean dogs to wild “guardian” dogs…this is part of our culture, lifestyle and everyday view and how most Peruvians live… it is real and close.

First we looked for Elizabeth’s home. We found a wooden house but nobody was there, so we started looking for a neighbor or someone who may know Elizabeth’s mother. When we thought that we could make a mistake in the address we asked a man who didn’t remember very well so he called her wife and she knew her. This woman told us that Elizabeth’s mother was not living there anymore and she had another baby. This was a surprise for us and especially for the social worker who realized that was the reason why she hasn’t gone to visit her other kids for a long time. The neighbor helped us to find Elizabeth’s mother who was living in the 2nd floor of a house renting one bedroom. She was sharing that room with her sister who has kids plus her 2 kids and baby. Volunteers, Maria Alejandra and I waited in the bus. At the end, Elizabeth decided to stay with her mother… after all kids do not care about where to sleep or what to eat they just want to be with their mom. There is nothing that can replace family and for these kids at PPA their families it is what make them feel special it is what belongs to them and they are proud about.

Second home: Maria’s home! She guided the van’s driver and we arrived just in few minutes. At the door there was a woman (Maria’s aunt) who was surprised to see Maria and she offered us to come in but there was an old woman, Maria’s great-grandmother, who was doing laundry but she also invited us to come in. It was time to breath deeply and face “real life”. It was first time that Maria saw her grandmother in bed with her arm and leg injured. She had an accident: a mototaxi hit her. She was in bed and Maria Alejandra just realized why she couldn’t go to PPA to pick her up. It was hard…

Then we visited a soup kitchen and a kindergarten where we met hardworking mothers and a sweet kindergarten teacher who had about 10 kids under control working in a card for father’s day. After saying goodbye to Maria’s grandmother, it was time go back to PPA and continue with our afternoon projects.

Visiting PPA kids’ homes is hard for me because I would like to show volunteers only all good things about my country and people but this visit is necessary to understand these kids better, why Global Volunteers helps PPA and why volunteers’ presence is so important… I’m proud of hardworking people that we meet in these visits… people who do not lose hope… people who do not give up…

Edith Rodriguez

"I can show you the world"

2008-06-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

Thought of the day: “I can show you the world”- Aladdin
Because these children see the world through us so we must represent it well. –Olivia

What a day! I and my labor team moved lots of wood, rock and trash. Then we proceeded to help lay part of a cement drive. How does my body feel? Sore. How does my mind think? Sad that the PPA maintenance men don’t have more modern equipment. Kelly said that in the US it would take two workers one hour to do what it took six today to do in 5. How does my heart feel? OK. I made a difference. In the labor team’s case, the ‘making a difference’ is measured objectively—woodpile gone, concrete drive seven feet longer and all our names are carved in it! Others on different projects have experienced frustration that they don’t feel like they are making a “difference making” working with the kids is so subjective. It is difficult to see into their minds and hearts a smile, a hug a light bulb going off expression is all we got. I suppose our expectations are high. Also our frustration level is high with our inability to communicate. But tomorrow will be a new day. I really like new days. – Julia

To smile, to laugh, to live..

2008-06-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day: “People always blame their attitude on the day. I’m having a bad day is bologna. What you’re really saying is: I’ve let other people get to my attitude. That is not only unjustifiable; it’s a sign of mental weakness. If you tell yourself you’re having a bad day, I promise you will have one and if you tell yourself you’re having a great day, I promise you will have one. The day is not bad unless you name it bad.”—Katie

As I reflect on the day I smile. I enjoyed it. Yes, it was filled with a lot of overwhelming hecticness, but that just comes with first day jitters. One thing that really surprised me was the welcome I got from the 3 year-olds when we went back for the afternoon projects. The minute they saw us their initial reaction was to hug every one of us. They wanted to connect, hold hands, and they easily returned our smiles.
Poem: To smile, to laugh, to live
Is to love and affirm,
To fly and soar,
to coast into the hearts of people who listen
to tell them that life is to live
that love is there
that nothing is a promise
but that beauty exists
and must be hunted for and found.
Anna

Day One

2008-06-08T21:49:00.000-05:00

Thought of the Day
- Isn’t it funny how much people miss out on things because a thought never occurs to them?
- Like what kind of thought, could you give me an example?
- No—they never occur to me.
--Brinton

I am stopping to reflect of the day and to share my thoughts on what lays ahead in the next week here in Lima with the Global Volunteers
Today is really two days condensed into one stream of experiences. Two flights and 16 hours to arrive in Lima. We were met at the airport and our Peru experience began with our early morning ride from the airport in the fog. A quick nap, a cup of coffee and time to met and become a part of the group. I am very impressed with how quickly everyone has begun the process of transforming personal goals into group goals and objectives four our trip in Lima and at the PPA. While the group is diverse in Geography, backgrounds, age, interest and more there is a very strong sense of purpose, commitment and a desire to serve learn and grow. I believe this energy and desire has gotten us all off to a very positive start. A motivated team with clear objectives will have a positive impact this week on both our group and personal activities. This morning on the start of day 3 I realize that it is important to unplug, both literally and figuratively to focus on this experience and to be more, as they used to say back in the day, “be here now!!” –John T.

Last Day

2008-06-06T12:58:00.000-05:00

Journal-Judy Jonas
Going to P.P.A. for the last time
Lots of mixed emotions-glad to be going home, sad to be leaving the children
Onward we went and joined the children for an outdoor special anniversary mass
Brothers, Sisters, staff, children sang and blessed G-d for taking care of us all
All of us watched Cledaman, the Peruvian version of Superman, and had
Lots of fun watching…
Visions of old Peru with niños on a bicycle - covered wagon pulled by a caballo
on roller skates
Other children, dressed in colorful costumes performed folk dances representing
indigenous Quechuan areas
Later we saw the kids carrying their chairs, back to their areas, while others ate
their picnic lunches of pollo sandwiches
Until it was time to go to the huge field for the games
Needless to say, we went too; some watched but others (Jason and I) joined in the
older girls' volleyball game with an invisible, but definite net.
Together we saw one of the Hermanas play as well as the girls
Each of us said our goodbyes, some with tears, other with sweets and some with
both
Earlier doubts and fears set aside
Ready to face our realities at home
Sure that we have been changed and with the hope that the small link we have
formed, in the Global Volunteer chain at the P.P.A., will not be broken

Thought of the Day-Jason Parnes
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being."

2008-06-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Journal-Anne Flaherty
Because of the field trip this morning, I found my routine disturbed. Rather than spending the morning pleading in broken Spanish with Ricardo and Franklin to do their school work, I cleaned windows and classrooms with some others. The afternoon was fairly typical-Eileen and I wiped toddlers' noses, mediated fights over toys, and fell even more in love with their smiles, laughs, and attempts at saying "Hola". After that, I, along with four other volunteers, taught English to the high schools girls. They are getting pretty good, if I do say so myself, and can nearly sing "Let it Be" just as well as the Beatles themselves.
However, this break in routine reminded me that my time at the P.P.A. is rapidly ending and while, as Laura put it, "moving dirt around" all morning, I found myself thinking about the past two weeks. To be honest, I think I will leave a little bit conflicted. On the one hand, the P.P.A. seems to be only a temporary shelter from the harsh realities these children face at home and in the world. On the other hand, the connections made between not only myself but the other volunteers and the children are undeniably important. So while it does not seem as if my work has dramatically affected the P.P.A., I think it is safe to say that my mere presence as a volunteer, and therefore as a source of renewed energy, love, and patience, has helped many children survive their immediate, daily struggles-such as a homework difficulties, runny noses, or trouble pronouncing a word. And I hope that kind of help is just as important.

Thought of the Day-Anne Flaherty
"Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test: Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away." - Ghandi

2008-06-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

Journal-Eileen Strong
Today was, for many of us, the last regularly scheduled day at the P.P.A. After finding out that I will not longer be in my kindergarten classroom for my last two mornings, I quickly found myself already missing my noisy, yet lovable, 5-year-olds. I will miss watching Carla draw a very obvious circular island with a palm tree on it, and the children mistaking it for a shoe. Still, funny things like that happen in a kindergarten classroom whether it is in Peru or the U.S., but I do not think that I have come across smiles that have touched me as deeply as they have at the P.P.A.
As in the toddlers' area, the reality of these children's scenarios hits me harder and harder every day. It seems unfair that while I consider the weeks, months, or years many children have until they will leave, the time is approaching for I myself to return home. While it is helpful to know that we are one group preceding a handful of others, I still want to stay and be the one to wipe Emily's nose or tell Enrique that his name is not, in fact, spelled L-U-I-S.
I suppose the most important thing that I will take with me is a compilation of smiles stored up in my brain. It is amazing how one can actually see a child start to feel important with just a friendly glance his or her way. With these last days, I am sure most of my time will be spent admiring the genuine and beautiful smiles that fill the P.P.A. Though we have come for a short time, a smile helps remind me that we are, in some small way, making a difference.

Thoughts of the Day-Eileen Strong
"A smile is a light in the window of the soul indicating that the heart is home"
"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

2008-06-03T12:56:00.000-05:00

Journal-Laura Merriam
Another cool, cloudy winter day in Lima and day 10 of my global volunteers turn at the PPA. I am still feeling the after-affects of my bout with a bug over the weekend. I indulge my self-pity while walking slowly to my kindergarten class and wonder whether I can make it through another 3 hours of shrieking, uncontrolled, Spanish-speaking 5 year-olds. Then I walk into the classroom and they all cry "Laura!" and I think...ok... it's not easy, I don't understand enough and I feel helpless at times but I know I am making a difference. Being engaged in the world, at all levels with all types of people, is what makes a difference. Getting to know this wonderful, strange, welcoming country and its people as well as the interesting and dedicated people on my team makes a difference.
I like being able to say to the kids in the siblings program, "por la mañana", at the end of the day and see their faces light up --at least until Friday. It can be overwhelming to think about what will happen to Manuel, Lesly, Elizabeth, Astrid, Ysenia, Marie-Carmen and Alexandria or Johanna... but I have to keep in mind that we do touch their lives for the better and the next group of volunteers will do the same...and so on...and so on... an unbroken chain of connections that goes both ways and gives us all our reason for being.

Thought of the Day-Laura Merriam
[Quote from the Tao te Ching]
Act without doing;
Work without effort.
Think of the small as large
and the few as many.
Confront the difficult
while it is still easy;
Accomplish the great task
by a series of small tasks.

The Master never reaches for the great;
Thus she achieves greatness
When she runs into difficulty,
She stops and gives herself to it.
She doesn't cling to her own comfort
thus problems are no problem for her. - Lao-tzu

Second Week

2008-06-02T12:55:00.000-05:00

Journal-Francesca Heier
After spending the morning nursing myself, I met the others at our usual lunch spot. After lunch our afternoon consisted of our normal duties, but much less saturated with volunteers. Still the children showed extreme excitement to see us, as if in my case I was Santa bearing gifts. With the 3 year olds we played with the Frisbee, colored, and made play swords out of the markers. The children from the Siblings program joined in our fun. They had been enjoying some beautiful painting with Laura near by.
Sweet dreams was a little later, I did it for the first time. It was a great experience. I think the children really enjoy and appreciate the attention at the end of their day.
After Sweet dreams we met up with the rest of the group and headed to the wonderful "San Antonio". Laura described it exactly how I would have, very "chic". The smells were mouthwatering alone not to mention the gorgeous food on display. Our meals ended with great desserts and a pleasant walk back to the hostel.

Thought of the Day-Emily Hicks
"We cannot do great things in this life, we can only do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa

Weekend in Cusco

2008-06-01T12:54:00.000-05:00

Journal-Shannon Halligan
This weekend Emily and I spent our free time traveling around Cusco. We left Friday and came back early Sunday morning. Although it was a very short amount of time it was worth it. I feel so lucky to be able to travel around this beautiful country. It amazes me how different the landscape of Cusco and Aguas Calientes were from Lima. The sky was a magnificent shade of blue and the clouds seemed to halo the massive mountains. Being able to see the rich history of the Incan people was amazing. It's so much different experiencing it rather than reading it out of a book. However, even though the scenery was different from Lima, the people are exactly the same. Everyone we met was so friendly and happy. They are proud of their heritage and their culture. Our tour guide in Machu Picchu was born in Cusco and his first language is Quechua. Even though he leads around annoying tourists, he's proud to show them the beautiful "Lost Incan city" and brag about how much faster he can hike the Incan trail than the Americans.
One of our goals of the group was to learn about Peruvian culture and I think I've gotten an idea of what it means to be Peruvian from the people we've gotten to know and the couple of places we've been. Like I said before, this is nothing you can read about in a book. I'm glad to be back in Lima, though. Me and Emily found ourselves talking about P.P.A. and the group the whole trip!

Thoughts of the Day-Shannon Halligan
"Little by little one walks far"

"All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. However, a path without a heart is never enjoyable. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy. It does not make a warrior work at liking it; it makes for a joyful journey; as long as a man follows it, he is one with it." - Carlos Castaneda, famous Peruvian writer

2008-05-30T12:54:00.000-05:00

Journal-Vidya Goberdhan
My final day at the P.P.A. began, as usual, in assisting with the labor project. We were cheerfully greeted by our "compadres" - Alfonso and Salvatierra - two locals who regularly work on P.P.A. construction projects. Though our lives differ vastly from theirs, I am honored to have worked with and learned from them.
In contrast to earlier this week, I began to notice the headway we were making, and that someday soon a beautiful park will stand where refuse and dirt now lie.
Six members of our team of sixteen will be leaving after today, and, though exhausted, we have been touched and inspired by this experience. I am saddened to leave the P.P.A. and realize just how attached I have grown to the children and people with whom I have taught, played, worked, and laughed. As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of the great mentors and role-models in my life. It is important to continue in their steps of inspiring and helping others to help themselves, even after your lives may go separate ways. That, if any, will be a lasting impact that will be valued in years to come!

Thought of the Day-Vidya Goberdhan
[Poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson on success]
"To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded."

2008-05-29T12:53:00.000-05:00

Journal-Emily Claypool
Today I helped with the labor project, which consisted of transporting rocks or "piedras" from one pile to the other. This was a little unsettling until we knew that a truck was going to pick the rocks up. It is always helpful to know the purpose of your work. It was also helpful to know from the meeting with Mili and Molly that we are part of a chain of volunteers which makes our seemingly futile efforts into something much more significant. In the afternoon most of the volunteers played soccer with the siblings because the younger children had gone to the circus. The interaction between all of the volunteers and the children from P.P.A. was quite beautiful. Every volunteer made sure to boost the confidence of each kid by playing at an extremely lower level. At first one of the siblings by the name of Astrid was very reluctant to play, however, by the end of the game she was laughing and even scoring goals. The most touching interaction was between Manuel, a thirteen year old boy, and my dad. Although Manuel tends to be somewhat distant since he is older and going through what all teenagers go through at that age I can sense that he really, really appreciates the attention and affection from my father. Only subtly will Manuel hold my dad's arm or even push my dad as a way of connecting with him. Although pushing may seem like an action of defiance I can sense that it is Manuel's unique way of displaying how much he cares for my dad.

Thoughts of the Day-Sara Aeikens
Six things for Aging Vitally with Joy:
1) Positive Attitude
2) Sense of Humor
3) Purpose in Life
4) Risking outside of your Comfort Zone (safely)
5) Spiritual anchor
6) Appreciating others and self more for Being in addition to Doing as you age vitally
"How you do Anything is
How you do Everything!"

Santa Anita

2008-05-28T12:52:00.000-05:00

Journal-Megan Curry
Visiting Santa Anita in the morning gave us an insight into some of the realities that the kids we are working with everyday have to face outside the walls of P.P.A. The clean, organized, and well-kempt area in which we interact with them is not the whole picture-and it was very important for us to see this. Though there are many slums and they have their differences, seeing where the P.P.A. children typically come from gives us, as volunteers, a greater understanding of the conditions and hardships the children and their families face.
Molly's discussion about the slums in peripheral Lima supplemented our visual understanding of experiencing it first-hand. She explained that as a result of the government's lack of involvement, there is immense organization on behalf of the local residents. We enjoyed meeting and interacting with those at the soup kitchen and the day care, two examples of this organization. Children were intrigued by our huge bus, typical tourist appearance, and unique Spanish skills (bad).
The people were grateful for our visit, but we are even more grateful to them for allowing us to learn so much during our short stay. Afterwards we enjoyed a short lunch (by Peruvian standards-still an hour) and enjoyed splitting into our afternoon groups. The evening was spent at dinner with an optional trip to the Inca Market.

Thoughts of the Day-Megan Curry
"Embrace the inspiration."
To me, this trip is filled with moments of inspiration-and most of it comes from the children. I thought I would share a moment of my own. Martín was writing a letter to his mother which read:
"Mamita, te quiero mucho y con todo mi corazon"
"Mom, I love you a lot and with my whole heart"

Reality Day

2008-05-27T12:51:00.000-05:00

Journal-Kathy Curry

Today was "Reality Day" at P.P.A., our first full day of morning and afternoon activities with the kids. While we are learning fast and furiously about how to spend some quality time with them, the reality hit us that we still have a lot to learn…
-We can remember the children's faces but can't seem to remember some of their names
-We seem to know quite a few Spanish words, but usually don't seem to have the right word at the right time
The reality that these adorable children are truly orphans or without parents who can care for them (with a future filled with uncertainty) is unsettling. The reality that the older children may be even more in need than the younger ones, but because of their age probably get less TLC, is also difficult to come to terms with.
The good news is the children are teaching us how to be good volunteers and seem to really enjoy having us around to laugh with and laugh at.
And despite being mostly "Type A" Americans, we're starting to really appreciate "Peruvian time" with our 2 hour lunches and the fact that if things don't start on time we can just mellow out.

Thought of the Day-Kathy Curry
[Since this trip has taken many of us out of comfort zone]
"Ships in the harbor are safe, but that is not what ships are for."

2008-05-26T12:50:00.000-05:00

Journal-John Claypool

Today we were able to see the children for the first time. They paraded by us 2 x 2, blowing whistles, holding signs, and smiling widely. Their faces were so sweet. I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, watching the little children or watching the young adults in our group watch the little children.
Shortly after seeing the parade, we visited the children at the playground. They were very excited to see us, and just about every child grabbed our hands and asked or motioned us to hold them, push them on the swing or place them in a tree.
Mili suggested at our 1st meeting that we were here, in part, "to wage peace and promote justice". Although that seems a bit weighty, that is in effect what we are doing-unwittingly or otherwise. Every time one of us volunteers has contact with a Peruvian, we are hopefully implicitly sending a strong message-We Americans do care about the rest of the world.

Thought of the day-John Claypool
[Bearing in mind that it is Memorial Day in U.S.A]
Imagine if our government spent the same amount of money on volunteer programs like Global Volunteers that it spends on the military---perhaps eventually it would never have to spend any money on the latter.