November 15

Joanne Gardner

This morning the Tonito Silva group experienced a day at the therapy center. We took our 5 charges of varying facilities on the big bus-no car seats, no seat belts. The center is quite a facility with some major therapy equipment in the outside, all of which was donated by the Chinese. THE WORLD IS FLAT!

I realized today how difficult it is to be a physical therapist. A couple of the babies hated the tasks or were fearful and just cried and cried, including Mariano, who was mine for the day. We just wanted to quit and hold them and make them feel good, which is not the purpose of the program. The program works because we know the little ones are making progress, crying and all. How fortunate they were to have landed at PPA.

I helped to unpack the donations that the team made and I was very proud of us. First, the amount was amazing. Second, we brought things that are really needed. Both pharmacist and El Mana Conception, in charge of the toddlers verified this. She expressed a lot of gratitude when they were delivered and AGAIN when we met her in Magdalena Market later in the day.

Lunch included cerviche, which gave me pause to think about how much better, the food is than I expected. The variety of preparation is welcome and the variety of produce is just plain fun. Magdalena Market, where we shopped for popcorn, is a wealth of culinary delights and a riot of color with smiling people behind their wares.

The warmth of the people is the single biggest impact on my trip. El Mana Annamaria gives me someone to aspire to in both organization and a giving attitude. She always seems to have time for the children-by name-as she goes about running the home. Her Christian attitude shines through her actions. Even our cab driver tonight wanted us to “enjoy my country”. He was proud of Peru and it shone through.

Our siblings today were very well behaved. Maybe we do make a difference. Fernando did a puzzle of the US. Smart kid who could do very well if he stays with PPA and goes to high school. I got a big hug at the end of the day from him who is usually rather quiet and reserved.

Our little El Diablo, Terry, just confirms the fact that little boys are the same worldwide. With him, it will be “hang on for a wild ride but be prepared to laugh along the way”. I wish the best for all of them and leave of the little of my heart here. But I feel relieved they have the PPA in their lives because they are so well cared for and loved.

I saw the ugliest dog today I’ve ever seen today and he lives at PPA. It is a hairless Peruvian dog. Looks like he went to a blind barber with a lawnmower.

Edith tried to lose us tonight after the entertaining folk show. Glorious costumes and music highlighted the culture of Peru. Viva Peru, diablos and all! John, Laurie, Matthew and I (coincidence we are all from Chicago?) got into the first cab she paid. She neglected to ask him if actually had driven a cab before tonight, I think. Or she did not buy enough popcorn for all of us and needed to lose us. We got a private tour of the neighborhood while he used the map, the hotel card, the policeman and a man on the street to find the hotel.

This is my first program with global Volunteers and hopefully not my last. As a travel agent I’m glad to have the first hand knowledge of the operational end of the program. As a volunteer I’m glad to have lived the philosophy and heart of it. In the short we have had, we have bonded as a team and also with the kids. It may not have been exactly what we expected but I think we all rose to the challenge and moved nicely out of our comfort range. I think by the end of the two weeks all of our goals will have been met. Amazing!

Goals – Made friends, learned more Spanish, experienced Peruvian culture, had fun, took risks, gave love, became global ambassadors.

Thank you, Edith, for you energy, your knowledge, your Spanish lessons, your friendship and your heart. Hasta pronto!

St. Augustine said,” The world is a book. Those who do not travel read only one page.”

Quote of the day: Laurie Matthews

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness. (Mark Twain)

There is no such thing as doing great things in this world. We can only do small things with great love. (Mother Teresa)