Sunday, November 11

Thought for the day, John Gilfillan:

“To help a child is to help the world to begin again”. & “ No person stands so tall as when he or she bends to help a child”.

Sandra Gilfillan

Team 46 of the Global Volunteers in Lima, Peru. We had our first team meeting on Sunday November 11, 2007 at the Hotel Terrablanca. Our Team Leader, known to us as Edith, introduced herself and told us about her decision to join Global Volunteers last December. At her parents urging and to fulfill their dream for her, Edith had her documents at the Embassy awaiting final approval to join her sister in Toronto. After soul searching, Edith decided to follow her own dream and work through Global Volunteers to help her own people. I think I can speak for the volunteers in saying we are glad she made that decision. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious.

Edith asked each of the 22 Team members to introduce themselves. We have members from CA to NJ and from Canada to Texas. Most of the volunteers are first timers so speaking as a veteran of several Global trips – you will gain lifelong memories during these days ahead. Edith gave a brief history of the PPA – the facility where we will be working with the children.

She then asked each team member to identify their 3 goals. After much discussion, the Team reached a consensus on the following goals: To learn about Peruvian culture; to make new friends; to give attention to children with love; to learn Spanish; to grow personally; to have fun; to be a global ambassador.We then identified the characteristics of an effective team including flexibility, communication, cooperation and unity among others. We signed a contract pledging to follow these goals and Edith promised to remind us if we strayed.

Finally before lunch, Edith outlined the projects which will be available. The morning projects include:toddlers, special needs children, hospital, kindergarten and labor. The afternoon projects include toddlers, kindergarten, siblings and English with girls or boys. She described in detail what each project would entail and asked each volunteer to chose a morning and afternoon project. She noted that the PPA staff will make the final assignments. She gave us a few hints about how to find our way when we become lost at PPA. Best that this writer could tell, you just keep walking until you see someone familiar.

After lunch, most of us took a 21/2 hour tour of the city. Alfred, our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and provided us with a good town experience. At the Plaza de Armas while we had some free time, my husband and I were approached by two young women from a local university. In addition to their regular studies in Journalism and Economics, they were also studying English at a private school. They were at the Plaza to conduct interview with English speaking tourists. They asked questions about our home county and about our impressions of Peru. Finally, they asked if there were any Peruvian habits that surprised us. We said that eating guinea pig was a surprise. They stared blankly at us and said they never heard those words. We have them a homework assignment to find out that English impression meant. After a great meal of pizza and beer, Edith sent us all to bed well-filled and told us to get some sleep for our workday on Monday.