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As the pen moves from Veronica to me for these journal writings, I wish to initially express the unexpected joy and enthusiasm Veronica has brought to our team. She is the only one among us who had been here before. As I listened to how these children affected her life, I wondered if I could have the same passionate feelings. And the answer is yes… Yes Yes Yes!!!
Our Wednesday started with a trip to the district of San Juan de Lurigancho in the neighborhood of Motupe on the hill of Asentamiento Humano “Nueva Jerusalen” with two of PPA’s students, Rachel and Yesenia. The reason for the trip was that the social worker had to do home assessments of these two girls and they were needed to show the way. Fortunately Edith said it was important for the teams to experience where these children came from and to better understand the opportunities these children had at PPA.
I personally was grateful so many of us, except Veronica (who had previously done a home experience) was with us, as I needed extra help climbing the mountain. But, I did it!! It is easy to understand the dignity and appreciation of these families. It is easy to understand how grateful they are to have the services of PPA. It is easy to experience the joy in their hearts that their children are having a better life with more advantages than they would be able to offer themselves. For me, the visit to families gave a deeper understanding of the needs of the Peruvian ‘disadvantaged.’
Back at PPA that afternoon, we returned to our assignments, Betty to the hospital, Veronica with the young ones climbing all over her as she wiped their noses here and there, and Felipe and I wondering what we were going to face in the girls English class. I thank Edith for her calm resolve in arranging the chairs to better induce focus and concentration. Just by her mere presence the girls (ten of them) were better behaved and more patient with their pseudo English teachers, Felipe and Juanita. We did the repetition exercises with date (and this time we got it right!!), day, salutation, numbers, colors, and select words using flash cards and sentences. It was a long hour and the only way we were able to keep their interest was with a promise of a gift at the end of class. The girls seemed to enjoy their bracelets which were made by one of the girl’s Mom purchased earlier in the day back at the village.
How does one put into words the feelings experienced when a child runs up to you open heartedly saying Juanita, Juanita and throwing her arms around you, your shoulders, or anywhere they can reach. I’m hooked; how many can I sneak home.
We ended a marvelous day at the Inca Market followed by a fabulous dinner at Kuo-Wha. The buffet was delicious and Edith knew exactly what time to get us in and what time to exit. Otherwise, we would have waited for food in a long, long, long, long line.
“You may be one person in this world, but to one person you may be the world.”
Our Wednesday started with a trip to the district of San Juan de Lurigancho in the neighborhood of Motupe on the hill of Asentamiento Humano “Nueva Jerusalen” with two of PPA’s students, Rachel and Yesenia. The reason for the trip was that the social worker had to do home assessments of these two girls and they were needed to show the way. Fortunately Edith said it was important for the teams to experience where these children came from and to better understand the opportunities these children had at PPA.
I personally was grateful so many of us, except Veronica (who had previously done a home experience) was with us, as I needed extra help climbing the mountain. But, I did it!! It is easy to understand the dignity and appreciation of these families. It is easy to understand how grateful they are to have the services of PPA. It is easy to experience the joy in their hearts that their children are having a better life with more advantages than they would be able to offer themselves. For me, the visit to families gave a deeper understanding of the needs of the Peruvian ‘disadvantaged.’
Back at PPA that afternoon, we returned to our assignments, Betty to the hospital, Veronica with the young ones climbing all over her as she wiped their noses here and there, and Felipe and I wondering what we were going to face in the girls English class. I thank Edith for her calm resolve in arranging the chairs to better induce focus and concentration. Just by her mere presence the girls (ten of them) were better behaved and more patient with their pseudo English teachers, Felipe and Juanita. We did the repetition exercises with date (and this time we got it right!!), day, salutation, numbers, colors, and select words using flash cards and sentences. It was a long hour and the only way we were able to keep their interest was with a promise of a gift at the end of class. The girls seemed to enjoy their bracelets which were made by one of the girl’s Mom purchased earlier in the day back at the village.
How does one put into words the feelings experienced when a child runs up to you open heartedly saying Juanita, Juanita and throwing her arms around you, your shoulders, or anywhere they can reach. I’m hooked; how many can I sneak home.
We ended a marvelous day at the Inca Market followed by a fabulous dinner at Kuo-Wha. The buffet was delicious and Edith knew exactly what time to get us in and what time to exit. Otherwise, we would have waited for food in a long, long, long, long line.
“You may be one person in this world, but to one person you may be the world.”
Johanna "Juanita" Burton
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