November 22, Evening

Ivy Kaminsky

What a day it has been! Our team had the distinct pleasure of being honorary members of the PPAs 25th Anniversary celebration. There were fireworks (the burning of the castle) and lots of wonderful performances by the children.

My new friend, Tanya Perez, (a twelve year old girl), made this day and evening a very memorable one that I will never forget. Why this beautiful young girl chose me to befriend, I’ll never know, but I’ll always be thankful for. Even though we didn’t have a common language to speak, I think we understood each other. Over our last couple of days I came to understand that she would be doing a dance performance with her friends during the celebration. Around 5 when it was looking like that part of the festivities were over and we needed to get going to dinner, I wasn’t sure what to do. It didn’t look like she was dancing after all. She really wanted me to stay and see the end but others were saying it was all over until later. Most of the team headed back to the office to get ready to leave for dinner. I was also supposed to be going to the travel agent to finalize our Machu Piccu plans. Somehow none of that seemed as important as seeing Tanya’s performance. I could tell it was really important to her that I be there. I waited and finally after all of the little children were led out, there were a couple more performances. Tanya and her friends danced to a song from Belinda and another group of teenage girls sang and danced. Tanya was right in the front center of her group and I almost didn’t recognize her with a pink baseball cap on. I think I have an idea of what it must feel like to be a proud parent at a dance recital. They were extremely cute in their tentative teenage way. After her performance Mantas and I rushed to the travel agent, took care of business, and rushed back to meet our special dinner guests, some of the children of the PPA. It was a nice dinner and a bit of a wild ride back to the PPA with many pictures taken.

When we returned to the PPA for the final part of the celebration, Tanya sought me out again and we enjoyed the festivities together. She also gave Edith a note for me and Mantas that she wanted her to translate for us. It was so sweet and heartfelt. How did I get so blessed to have this beautiful young person in my life? And to have her make such an impact in such a short time?

I began this trip as a person who doesn’t really like children. I am an only child who hasn’t really been around children much and didn’t feel like I knew how to interact with them very well. While moving furniture around the newly renovated toddler area I got a crash course in interacting with the little ones as I would go by their cubes and try to make them smile. By the time we made it to Cusco and Machu Piccu I found myself making faces at any small child I encountered. All I can say about this whole experience is - what a difference a smile makes!!!

November 22, Thanksgiving Day

Eric Lilja

Tomorrow will mark the final day of Team 46´s adventure in service here at PPA. It´s been an incredibly exciting, albeit sometimes exhausting 2 weeks. As I reflect this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for each and every moment. While the comforts of home (or a 5-star hotel) and the friends and families we´ve missed await, it´s more difficult to leave here than I´d ever imagined it would be.

Today´s celebrations of the PPA school´s 25th anniversary underscored for me how special this children´s haven truly is...it´s a safe and caring place where love is given freely, talents are nurtured, and hope is offered for a brighter future. PPA is a home and a family in every sense of those words; and we were fortunate to have been so graciously welcomed.

We came here with hopes of giving to these children, but I believe they´ve actually given more to us: they gave us their openness, their strength, their love, their hugs & kisses, their smiles and their ENERGY!! And, we are all richer for this experience and their gifts to us.

The power of these kids is immeasureable. THINK of just how much they accomplish amidst adversity each day. IMAGINE what they could achieve given the best of circumstances....

I know we will carry with us memories of PPA for years to come. I, for one, will remember:

-- the little nino with the toothy smile (and bites he like to give my legs)

-- the screams of "a mi ma toca" while jumping rope with 3rd grade girls fighting to be recognized and praised

-- the "high-fives" from the chicos who joined in an afternoon pick-up game of volleyball

-- the spirited toddlers who shimmied the bathroom door - when they thought no one was looking - to go fishing in the you-know-what bowls

-- the bashful giggles of teenage girls who practiced the latest dance moves to their favorite singer, Belinda

-- today´s Thanksgiving dinner at Beer Chicken AKA Cerveza Pollo with a group of exceptionally well-mannered, thoughtful and truly thankful kids

-- and so many more...

What we received from these children will be forever and indelibly engraved in our minds. Will they remember us?? Have we made a difference?? I hope so; time will tell.

Gracias PPA!
Gracias Edith!!
Gracias fellow volunteers for making this an amazing journey!!!
Hasta Pronto

Two Thoughts for the Day (also from Eric Lilja):

I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I´ve left behind
I step out of the ordinaryI can feel my soul ascendingI´m on my way.
Can´t stop me now.
And you can do the same.
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It´s never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud??
--Opening lyrics to the song "Proud" by the M People

Now is the time to live your ideal life --Cousineau

November 21

Beth Hoverman

I have been changed forever because of this experience. This week has been going by fast. As the end is in sight, I reflect on the young lives I have changed. I hope Princess (Rosa Cristina) remembers me since I will always remember her! My heart smiles whenever I think of her.

There is so much need here at the PPA, it's difficult not to get overwhelmed. But one thing that is not lacking is the loving, caring staff that genuinely want to help these children. We can all see how they prioritize the children's needs above anything else. The children are so polite and patient, I would expect to see sad faces here without a family but to my surprise they all smile and seem very content with their circumstances.

The standards at PPA have thoroughly exceeded my expectations. I am so blessed to know and see how these kids are taken care of.

Edith you are also a HUGE blessing to all of us & PPA - thanks for your unending patience with the (Peters) picky eaters in the group. I will always remember you for your phrases "don't worry, it's possibly and I know, I know."

Thought for the Day, Deb Connor

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. - Martin Luther King

November 20

Ron McDougall

On arriving on our first day and taking the orientation tour, frankly my first impression was one of just a huge, run-down, complex of buildings. I thought, -wow, what have I gotten in to? The next day we were given our assignments and sent off to the various buildings to help kids. I must admit that I was initially disappointed in the "teaching" assignment. After struggling and failing to gain the attention of the 4th grade boys, I was disillusioned.

My frustration level was high and my satisfaction level low. But as the next few days flowed by, and I began to open my mind and eyes, the fog began to clear. I began to see the selfishness of my angst, and conversely, the total lack of selfishness of the PPA staff.

The exterior of the PPA is badly in need of work and paint. The job is so immense that one doesn't know where to start. But as you begin to look around you see the staff of the school in constant motion. From the headmistress to the gardner, everyone has more than a full plate. Each individual is focused on his task. Whether it's Sra. Conception or Sr. Napoleon, all are centered on their service. Having had a week to observe these people I came to realize their dedication. Dedication is in itself a noble virtue, but when coupled with obvious sincere love for these kids, it becomes a CALLING.

As the day goes by and you see the staff interact with these urchins, you see connections firmly made but not in anger. And further, you see hugs and smiles, and other forms of affection given out liberally by every staff member, regardless of their role.

There are 500 kids here who have to be bathed, fed, - and led DAILY. PPA makes this happen every day of the year for these needy kids. I am in awe of the magnitude of this task and yet they make it happen so seamlessly.

Yes, the kids are rambunctious and a challenge to control, but rarely are they rude. I now recognize they are learning far more here than I could ever hope to teach them.

So although the school is seedy and in disrepair on the outside, inside beats a sincere, caring and loving heart for each and every child.

What have I learned?

I came to the PPA with the idea of teaching English to young kids. The first day was a blow between the eyes with a 2x4. These kids had no interest in learning anything I had to offer, which is a slap in the face for an ex-teacher. So I went home grumbling about the affront to my excellent skills.

But Edith's constant drumbeat of "flexibility" continued to resonate in my selfish brain. And again, the fog began to clear.

I began to see that it wasn't about me -- but about THEM. I was focused on myself and not on them. For someone who spent 30 years in the Army, an organization dependent on order and obeying, this has not been an easy task for me. I have come to recognize clearly, however, that a hug and a few jokes with them is far more of what they need -- not my English.

Thought for the day, Don Marshall

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiansms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be witih those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt - At the Sorbonne, Paris 1910

Pero que no camina, no encuentra hueso. The dog that doesn´t walk doesn´t find a bone or you can´t succeed if you don´t try.

November 19

Mickey Marshall

After an exhausting weekend in the jungle we got up and headed for work. We have rearranged some of the jobs, but our kinder group is the same. Joann, Tom, Deb, Don and I went to our classrooms to help. My classroom is 20 three year olds who are finally remembering my name. Jorge, who has a fierce frown even when he smiles, sang a derivation of the song they are learning for the school anniversary "Que bonito, que bonito es mi visita". I sat down to play with them as there never seems to be a curriculum. The children know colors, numbers to 5 and some shapes. They fight a lot but the tears pass quickly. We play with various things in the classroom: puzzles, blocks, legos and clay. At noon I get a break and go off to lunch with the team. We talk a lot and then walk back to school. I have learned the way back as I think most of us have and we got to the office and loaded up with things for the afternoon kinder to do. Joann and I have settled into a routine of drawing and coloring with the girls, who number between 4 and 25 on different days. Some of the girls play school with me and give me a dictation. They are very strict and give me a B- today.

At 5 we cot back to the hotel and 2 took a load of laundry down to the laundromat about 2.5 blocks from here. It won't be ready until 7pm tomorrow, and there was no talking them into an earlier time. We went to dinner at a great place that served sandwiches, salads and desserts. Strawberries are in season and several drank a fresh strawberry slush that was delicious. Edith said they grow strawberries in the south near the coast. Peru never ceases to amaze me with it's huge variety of foods both familiar and unfamiliar.

Thought for the Day, Mantas Zupka

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

November 17 & 18

Joann Miller

"The Triple Crown Tour"Sea level, 15,000 ft. and the jungle

Five of us went on the tour. With as much as we saw and experienced, any one of us could write a book - and every book would have a different twist.

I will give my version - in no particular order just re-living the events that will always hold a special place in my heart.We experienced so many things, i.e.

-swimming in a waterfall after trekking up a sometimes steep, narrow and rocky path about 3 km, give or take, or about 4 miles. Swimming was heaven and the waterfall was tremendous and powerful.

-staying the night in an enchanting and tropical paradise. Everyone called it a jungle but to me a jungle is walking through the Amazon - hot, humid, mosquitos and flies everywhere and a snake in the tree just waiting to drop on you. This was not like that. We saw all the tropical trees, plants, and flowers of Hawaii and many more. I think it is a tropical paradise.

-riding in a long boat which held 10 comfortably on a beautiful river that had a strong current.

-being entertained in a unique community of native tribal people who were charming, gracious, and fun-loving. They immediately dressed each one of us in a long brown gown, with a necklace of shells and a headband with two feathers. After listening to their presentation, each one of us was grabbed by one of the tribe and we danced, ran and sometimes flew around the bonfire. It was exhilarating and exhausting.

-getting a yellow fever shot in a space of about 15 seconds for each one.

-visiting a coffee plantation and an orchid nursery.

-waterfront dining under open air thatched roofs.

-seeing the most spectacular landscapes in the world at elevations of up to 15,000 ft.

-driving on roads that had more u-turns than straight-aways, mostly on the edge of cliffs.

There is so much more, but it would take far too long, so I would just like to briefly tell you how I feel about this total adventure; in awe of all that I have been fortunate enough to experience. Peru is a vast country filled with amazing vitality and a myriad of contrast.

Joy in seeing such healthy and loving children at the PPA.

Despair and hopelessness at seeing how so many have to live.

Greatfulness at all the kindnesses that have been extended to me.

Pleasures in meeting so many interesting people.

I took my first trip by myself in Samoa and stayed about three weeks, when I returned my colleagues at Olympic College asked me how I liked it, I answered "on a scale of 1 to 10,, it was about 300". I feel this trip is already about 300 and I have another week to go, so thank you all for being a part of it!

Thought for the Day, Tom Davatelis

It's amazing to see the many happy faces whenever we interact with the children of the PPA. Could it be that our presence helps to ignite these happy faces? If so, this alone is enough to have made our participation here worthwhile.

Friday, November 16

Tom Davatelis

Today we have reached the end of our first week of the program and our team has been reduced from 22 to 15. When we resume on Monday we will be down to only 10. HELP! Amazing Edith has already adjusted our assignments for the remaining ten.For me it has been a pleasure associating with such talented and skillful volunteers. We have a great mixture of all age levels and they possess a host of interesting experiences.

This morning Edith explained how our donations of supplies were distributed to the various classes. Edith also reviewed the pick up times for the two weekend trips to be taken by some of our remaining crew.

My morning assignment is with Carla´s class of a very, very active and noisy group (16) 4 year old children. And I was exhausted after the class was over: It was not what I had expected: Carla is wonderful with the children: She is always calm and very patient: My 2nd: day was better because I knew what to expect and just went with the flow; enjoying the challenging experience. By the third day it was enjoyable as I bonded with the kids and became quite fond of the little rascals. They are adorable despite their high energy level I think that I will have images of their happy faces for a long time.

My afternoon assignment is in the sibling program where family members get together because they normally don’t see each other during the day: four of us worked 7 children from ages 5 to 11. We tried to entertain them with various games and materials we brought from the office. This afternoon we were divided into 2 groups to prepare for the Cinema Project. One group had to hike some distance to haul back and set up 100 chairs while the other group had the more difficult task of slaving over hot kettles to make100 bags of popcorn. At 2:30 . We were ready to show “The Bee Movie” in Spanish and shortly after; passed out the popcorn and juice for every student. After the students left we began to take away and store the chairs while others swept up the floor.

Edith held a meeting before dinner to review our original goals and objectives to see if we had met our goals and expectations up to this date. Several of us offered our comments and suggestions. Some who expected to really teach English were disappointed that there was no opportunity at PPA to do this. Global Volunteers could be a little more specific as to the type of work that can be expected at the PPA. The majority of us, however, were flexible enough to quickly adapt to the unexpected day-to-day challenges. Overall, most of us are enjoying the unique experience that the PPA has to offer. It is both rewarding and satisfying.

Thought for the Day, John Haskins

What does working with the PPA and throwing a rock in the pond have in common? It's not the splash that counts, but how long the ripple lasts!!!