Reflections from a 2011 CDLN Volunteer

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...

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

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

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!!

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...

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!

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