“Life sometimes just is not fair”

On Sunday I met the oldest, saddest seven year old.  We first met at the hospitalito where he was sitting in the corner on the floor moving a toy car back and forth with a blank look on his face.  Turns out his two younger brothers and him were abandoned a year ago and unfortunately he has not been able to see his brothers in almost a year…the staff is concerned about him as he has been increasingly stressed by this situation.  The decision was made that he would be part of the siblings program and on Monday he was reunited with his two younger brothers…it was an amazing sight to see this little boy totally light up and start jumping around…. This sad, old little boy turned immediately into the proudest big brother I have ever met.  My eyes began tearing up and had to choke back the tears for two very different reasons, the first being tears of joy seeing these young  children being reunited and second because for these three little boys life just has not been fair to them.

“To know even one breath has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

             We had arrived at our final day in Peru - what a journey this has been. As individuals we came from diverse backgrounds, with different histories and experiences - yet we shared a common thread – the importance of giving and contributing for the better good. With finite time we united as a team; giving ourselves, our hearts, and spirits. We worked hard, played, shared, learned, and JUST WENT WITH IT! What we learned, experienced and felt will remain with us for a lifetime.

Our last day at PPA came with bitter sweet emotions. It was exciting to see the final product of the girls’ dining room and the amount of work that was accomplished over the 2 weeks! Spending the afternoon having lunch with the girls and getting the opportunity to say our last goodbye’s, share our appreciation for each other, and simply play and enjoy our final moments was truly special.

Reflecting on my time in Peru and at PPA words cannot justify what I experienced, felt, and learned as a person. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity - thank you Stobbe’s for providing me with this. I feel blessed to have you in my life - you have taught me the importance of giving and “paying it forward” which I will continue to share with others throughout my lifetime.

Edith thank you for leading our team, planning, organizing...and just being the amazing woman you are. From PPA...to dinner plans...to helping us with any sickness...to walking, walking, walking...the list just keeps going on! We appreciated your over and above dedication to us and our time and projects at PPA. Your heart and passion is in the work that you do and the kids at PPA appreciate and love you. Thank you Edith - for everything. We could not have asked for a better person to lead our team.

On a final note – Let’s all remember to take the time to appreciate our lives. No matter what life brings to each of us there is always space to remember how grateful we are to be living this crazy little experience called Life. As Edith would day “Appreciate what you have, Enjoy what you have, Everyone deserves the Best”.

Cheers to our Adventure!

 by J.

A better place...

THANKS A MILLION TO MARY HOPE FOUNDATION... THIS IS TRULY A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO LEAVE YOUR MARK IN THE WORLD... 

Last day at PPA. Edith said that this week would go fast. It was a blur.

It´s hard to describe what it´s like to have 20 three-year-olds greet you – like puppies every morning. Such smiles and happiness. Not that it lasts. There are fights and tears, consoling qand anger, sometimes all at once.It is amazing how much personal growth we saw in the children in two weeks and experienced ourselves. Maryanne and Susan hokey-pokeyed their way through the morning, even for a film crew shooting a documentary.Rose and Marie washed a lion share of dishes and soothed the little ones. Pat and Mandy used sports and crafts to wear out the 4,5 and 6-year-olds. The results of the sibling project seemed mixed. One family group was older and reconfirmed their bonds, one group was guided by the care of the big sister who may hold that family together. The younger group may appreciate they have one another – the little sister at 3 seems independent and strong. May she offer leadership to her brothers. The goodbyes were emotional and heartfelt. Appreciation oozed from both sides.

By bus we went to Donatello´s for another exceptional meal. At 6:30 we had a final dinner with Edith whom we cannot thank enough.

"The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away."

So it was business as usual. Pat had the idea that we should find the less rowdy San Vincente boys. We colored made paper fortune tales, sang songs, and played musical chairs. I knew our morning was going too smoothly because all of a sudden all the boys were together and it was mass pandimonium with skateboards, scooters and other forms of hazardous horseplay. As we were getting ready for lunch we found out that Rose´s choco crispy bars were a success and that the 3 yr. olds will be eating them on Feb. 10th.

As for the afternoon, Marie and I sang a whole lot of songs and we were amazed that we didn´t have to pick up a hundred balls but rather the kids played in one corner. After dinner at Le Baguette we returned to PPA for sweet dreams. I attempted to read Aloha and Bunny Rabbits Picnic, we looked at pictures and marvelled at the pretty colors. When Edith said five minutes left, I did my best to put Andrea to bed and I sang him Silent Night and for Anderson, well, lets just say I sang him a song that my Mother sang to me, Good night and sweet dreams.

Ït isn´t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart¨

Today was anything but typical. We were joined by Rufina and Julio on a quest to locate Julio´s mother in Shantytown. Along the way we stopped at a public hospital to see about birth records for Julio and another boy. After many tries Julio was able to find his mother and they had a reunion of sorts for a few minutes. As we were driving back to PPA, we were pulled over by a police officer. Mr. officer thought we were a small public bus in the wrong lane. Amazingly, drivers in Lima do not signal their turns, and change lanes at will and honk incessantly, yet being in the wrong lane gets you pulled over. Fascinating.

When we arrived back at PPA, it really was lights, camera, action. Rose and Susan handed out candy while Pat, Marie, Edith and myself (Mandy) stuffed popcorn into the bags. After we got the popcorn to the auditorium, I went to San Rafaelfor a few minutes before heading back to the auditorium . We had so much popcorn and jello left over that Marie, Edith,Maryanne,Pat and I ran around PPA distributing it. After operation distribution was complete I literally ran back to the auditorium to help Rose and Susan cleanup. Rose was just finishing picking up the trash on the floor with her hands, What an amazing mom and what an awesome example for hard work. After this we headed back to the hotel where Maryanne and I got a ready for a much needed massage. I can honestly say I have had many massages in my life but none where I heard people oohing, ahhing, moaning,clapping and turning on the light. Like I said, this day was anything but typical.

Getting to Know Peru

Today Edith briefed us about recent politics and economics, especially during the ¨lost decade of the 1980´s. After that turbulence it seems like Peru is more stable in a better place today. At least from what we have seen so far in Miraflores and center city.Assignments proceeded on the regular schedule. Many of us have noticed how safety standards are lower than at home. We see children playing with plastic puzzle tags, drinking water meant for the garden hoses, and carrying their own play equipment (see saws). Yet they seem strong and hardy. May they continue to be well. At lunch we went with Edith on a bus to shop at the local market that brimmed with meats, potatoes, guinea pigs, veggies, housewares, clothes and personal care items. We bought some toys for the childrenand had a lunch outside then took the bus back to PPA.For dinner we went to an upscdale, totally full Chiffa for delicious Chinese food. Again, we see signs of prosperity in the neighborhoods we have visited, including maids walking tiny well groomed dogs.

Saying from a fortune cookie "you will have the opportunity to be recognized for your good actions."That joy has been coming to us every day as we see our children´s enthusiasm and energy.