It is interesting traveling here after working in Tanzania. I was in shock after walking through the orphanage in Peru for the first time. Issues in Tanzania are things the children here, at the orphanage i work at, don´t have to think twice about. Running water, food, shelter, disease, and education all taken care of. I am actually relieved to be working at an orphanage like this because it is have been great for me to see opposite ends of the spectrum. Now with that said, there are still many things that children here need. Some of the orphans here come straight from the street. One young boy lived with his parents and they had him take drugs so he would´t be hungry all of the time. this is one extreme example and not all the children here have lived like this. What i knew, but now can see, is that there are people in need wherever you go.
I have been asked in the past about why i have chosen to volunteer abroad and not so much at home. For me, i don´t like to look at the world in terms of countries or lines on a map. I used to be someone who wanted to fill my entire passport with stamps but the more i work with people the more i don´t see that as a need for me. Taking the time to live in three extremely different cultures (Wisconsin, Tanzania, and Peru) have helped to not only realize, but feel that i don´t need all those stamps. Although the cultures and languages have been very different, i have learned in my heart that all people are the same. We all want to laugh, love, and live. You will find that is a commonality wherever you go. Borders and boundaries don´t change that fact that we all are the same and that we all live on the same earth. I guess I have wanted to travel and volunteer abroad because seeing that we are all the same is something that I have wanted to experience in my heart.
Does one person need to travel to see that we are all the same? I do not think so. Maybe that was a fault of mine, having to travel to fully embrace this concept. Reading a book about a new culture or life, introducing yourself to a complete stranger for no reason, and giving a hand to someone in need are all things someone can do to see this equality. And these are things that i will continue to do when i arrive home. In the USA, homelessness and poverty are a great concern to me. There is a reason why an international aid organization, like Save the Children, has given attention to places like Appalachia and others. So where will i go next? I´m not sure, but, at the moment, i´ll give a hand where ever it is needed.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
A few weeks ago i was in a van with a bunch of volunteers driving through the mountains. Looking out through the window the landscape was green but with no trees. Small pueblos, people, black sheep, and donkeys were rare to see and yet they were the tallest objects around. It was one of the only places in world that i have seen where mankind and nature seem to be living together as one, except for the paved road we were driving on. I wondered what it would be like to be that free.
This past weekend was Easter and it was very busy. I don´t think i had a chance to even sit down. there are fiestas, markets, events, parades, processions, and more. IF you are ever in Peru for the Easter holiday may i suggest checking out Huancayo. You will not be bored, to say the least.
On the Saturday before Easter and bunch of us went for a seven hour hike through the hills just outside of Huancayo. We weaved our way through fields of maize, grass, and whatever esle was being grown. The fields here are a little different. As there is no farming equipment the fields are much smaller. From adistance the land looks like a patched green quilt. On hike we got lost and literally stumbled upon a soccer field with 6 kids. As soon as the first kid saw one of us he yelled out "gringos." I don´t hear that term too often here and so when it does i always turn my head. I wonder how many "gringos" have stumbled upon their soccer field. Well the sun was out and kids a very flat ball. We all decided to play a game short game that turned into about a 1 and a half hours. haha. it was great. I think that was the most fun with soccer i have ever had. Even the kids dad came out and watched us with a grin on top of a small hill. After the game was over we all sat down in field and shared bananas, mango's, and oranges with the kids. The word gringo was only ever mentioned when we first wandered upon the kids. During and after the game it wasn´t even a thought anymore. we were all friends.
In a world where race, religion, nationality, and more can define us in ways that may not be looked upon positively by others, and can cause people to fight wars and create violence, i don´t think there is a better way to spread peace than by playing a soccer game and sharing fruit.
Today, I went with another volunteer to check out a special needs school in close proximity to the orphanage. Some of the children i work with started attending the special needs school this week. I was very happy to see it. the school has a `physical therapy room, this will be great for Bryan! I also found out that Ramiro went there when he was younger. He no longer attends it because he was too much of a challenge. lucky me! haha. But the school was great and I have a meeting with the director on Monday to see if i will work there. I am not sure if i will do so because i have enough work on my plate but it will be good just to check it out.
Today, in the afternoon, we took the kids from the casa project to soccer field to play games and such. It was a fun little break from working on homework and studying English. and no more Internet time.
bye!
This past weekend was Easter and it was very busy. I don´t think i had a chance to even sit down. there are fiestas, markets, events, parades, processions, and more. IF you are ever in Peru for the Easter holiday may i suggest checking out Huancayo. You will not be bored, to say the least.
On the Saturday before Easter and bunch of us went for a seven hour hike through the hills just outside of Huancayo. We weaved our way through fields of maize, grass, and whatever esle was being grown. The fields here are a little different. As there is no farming equipment the fields are much smaller. From adistance the land looks like a patched green quilt. On hike we got lost and literally stumbled upon a soccer field with 6 kids. As soon as the first kid saw one of us he yelled out "gringos." I don´t hear that term too often here and so when it does i always turn my head. I wonder how many "gringos" have stumbled upon their soccer field. Well the sun was out and kids a very flat ball. We all decided to play a game short game that turned into about a 1 and a half hours. haha. it was great. I think that was the most fun with soccer i have ever had. Even the kids dad came out and watched us with a grin on top of a small hill. After the game was over we all sat down in field and shared bananas, mango's, and oranges with the kids. The word gringo was only ever mentioned when we first wandered upon the kids. During and after the game it wasn´t even a thought anymore. we were all friends.
In a world where race, religion, nationality, and more can define us in ways that may not be looked upon positively by others, and can cause people to fight wars and create violence, i don´t think there is a better way to spread peace than by playing a soccer game and sharing fruit.
Today, I went with another volunteer to check out a special needs school in close proximity to the orphanage. Some of the children i work with started attending the special needs school this week. I was very happy to see it. the school has a `physical therapy room, this will be great for Bryan! I also found out that Ramiro went there when he was younger. He no longer attends it because he was too much of a challenge. lucky me! haha. But the school was great and I have a meeting with the director on Monday to see if i will work there. I am not sure if i will do so because i have enough work on my plate but it will be good just to check it out.
Today, in the afternoon, we took the kids from the casa project to soccer field to play games and such. It was a fun little break from working on homework and studying English. and no more Internet time.
bye!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
At the moment I am stuck in the city because Bernabe, he owns and old beattle car, has broken down and we are waiting on the mechanic. In the meantime I thought i would write a little more in my blog.
My travels to the jungle last weekend was amazing. When driving there you will meet mountians that are trying to reach the heavens. There are raod clean up crews tht must never be out of a job because every few miles you can see evidence of a rock slide. At one point we drove by a boulder on the road that was bigger than our van. ekks. The jungle looks as if it is trying t tame the mountains by pulling them back down. The scenery is incredible.
Today, all of hte volunteers and I went with the orphanage staff and children to a very large hill just outside of huancayo. AS you walk up there are 12 statues representing the final days oif Jesus. At the top is a huge cross that can be seen from the city. It was a fun experience with the kids and someone brought a guitar that we played as we walked up. I felt the altitude again today. haha.
Yesterday, I made some great progress with Ramiro. I made flashcards with very basic spanish words and I had him put his hand on the word that i spoke. We just worked on the word "Bano" but by the end of the 45 mintues he could identify it without a problem. Next i plan on teaching him some more words. After that i need to work on transferring his newly learned words into everyday life. that will be interesting.
The Casa project is going great. the kids are full of energy but also eager to learn english, well most of them are. Soon one of the staff memebers will start pulling the children aside one by one to go over a questionnaire with them. I helped write it with the other staff. I may have tlaked about this before but i´m excited to get it in the works. Then sometime in the future Expand Peru will start visiting the home sof the children. So with the questionnaire, working with kids two hours a day, and visiting their homes, it is our hope that we will be able to dramatically improve the childrens lives. we shall see what happens.
Adios
My travels to the jungle last weekend was amazing. When driving there you will meet mountians that are trying to reach the heavens. There are raod clean up crews tht must never be out of a job because every few miles you can see evidence of a rock slide. At one point we drove by a boulder on the road that was bigger than our van. ekks. The jungle looks as if it is trying t tame the mountains by pulling them back down. The scenery is incredible.
Today, all of hte volunteers and I went with the orphanage staff and children to a very large hill just outside of huancayo. AS you walk up there are 12 statues representing the final days oif Jesus. At the top is a huge cross that can be seen from the city. It was a fun experience with the kids and someone brought a guitar that we played as we walked up. I felt the altitude again today. haha.
Yesterday, I made some great progress with Ramiro. I made flashcards with very basic spanish words and I had him put his hand on the word that i spoke. We just worked on the word "Bano" but by the end of the 45 mintues he could identify it without a problem. Next i plan on teaching him some more words. After that i need to work on transferring his newly learned words into everyday life. that will be interesting.
The Casa project is going great. the kids are full of energy but also eager to learn english, well most of them are. Soon one of the staff memebers will start pulling the children aside one by one to go over a questionnaire with them. I helped write it with the other staff. I may have tlaked about this before but i´m excited to get it in the works. Then sometime in the future Expand Peru will start visiting the home sof the children. So with the questionnaire, working with kids two hours a day, and visiting their homes, it is our hope that we will be able to dramatically improve the childrens lives. we shall see what happens.
Adios
Monday, March 17, 2008
Insects at away at me over the weekend in the jungle. it was a good time and nice break from Huancayo. If there is one thing that will drive me crazy here it will be the pollution. A combination of high altitude and a high number or cars with horrible fumes will lead to this. other then that the city is great.
This coming weekend is the biggest festival for the year in Huancayo. Apparently there might be a few bulls running through the streets. Schools are closed this thursday and friday so the other volunteers, expand peru staff, and I are taking the kids from the casa project on a little field trip to play games and eat lunch. It will be a crazy four days!
This coming weekend is the biggest festival for the year in Huancayo. Apparently there might be a few bulls running through the streets. Schools are closed this thursday and friday so the other volunteers, expand peru staff, and I are taking the kids from the casa project on a little field trip to play games and eat lunch. It will be a crazy four days!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
hello hello,
It has been a long time since I last posted. ekks. my apologies but i have very full days here. In the mornings i´m at the orphange from 8:30-11:30.then from 2:30-6:30 i´m out at the Casa project. I love all the work but wow, it is taking up loads of time.
It has been hard working with Ramiro these pastfew days because he has been sick. At the moment I plan on teaching him to carry his own lunch tray. It will be interesting when we try to do this when the tray is full of food. haha. ekks.
Other things at the orphanage are going well and someothers things not so well. I can´t say too much but it is interesting working with special needs here as treatment isn´t as developed here as back at home.
At the casa project i am working with the older kids, mostly girls. the age range is about 9-12. everyday, another volunteer and I, work on teaching a short english lesson and then playing games with them. Hopefully sometime soon we will start visiting the homes of the children to seewhat their living situation is like.
As usual, this past weekend was full of fiestas. I got to eat guinea pig! ekks. hmmm. sorry if that grosses or freaks anyone out but it is a culturally normal here. The family who held the fiesta actually sells guinea pigs, and the peoplewho buy don´t use them as pets.
many spanish is improving but i still find myselflost in conversations. haha. it is usually fun when that happens. All you need to survive is a sense of humor.
time for me to go. I hope I don´t take so long to write again! thanks for reading.
adios
It has been a long time since I last posted. ekks. my apologies but i have very full days here. In the mornings i´m at the orphange from 8:30-11:30.then from 2:30-6:30 i´m out at the Casa project. I love all the work but wow, it is taking up loads of time.
It has been hard working with Ramiro these pastfew days because he has been sick. At the moment I plan on teaching him to carry his own lunch tray. It will be interesting when we try to do this when the tray is full of food. haha. ekks.
Other things at the orphanage are going well and someothers things not so well. I can´t say too much but it is interesting working with special needs here as treatment isn´t as developed here as back at home.
At the casa project i am working with the older kids, mostly girls. the age range is about 9-12. everyday, another volunteer and I, work on teaching a short english lesson and then playing games with them. Hopefully sometime soon we will start visiting the homes of the children to seewhat their living situation is like.
As usual, this past weekend was full of fiestas. I got to eat guinea pig! ekks. hmmm. sorry if that grosses or freaks anyone out but it is a culturally normal here. The family who held the fiesta actually sells guinea pigs, and the peoplewho buy don´t use them as pets.
many spanish is improving but i still find myselflost in conversations. haha. it is usually fun when that happens. All you need to survive is a sense of humor.
time for me to go. I hope I don´t take so long to write again! thanks for reading.
adios
Saturday, March 1, 2008
heights
Huancayo is full of fiestas. There was a fiesta for the month of February, of which I am unable recall its name, where people are allowed to throw water balloons at you. Yes, this includes anyone. Kids usually hang out on the top of buildings or around corners to hit unsuspecting passerbys. ONe volunteer had about 15 water balloons thrown at her from the top of a building. If I wanted to i could have thrown a water balloon at a complete stranger. fun stuff.
I have also been to numerous birthday fiestas this week. It is fun listening to peruvian music and testing out my broken spanish. The weirdest thing about being here is being taller then everyone. At all three birthday fiestas i went to this week i was the tallest person by far. I am only about 5 feet 11 inches.
The projects are going well. I completed the english versionof biopsychosocial assessment for the Casa project in Chupaca. Another volunteer is helping me with the translation. About 41 children have signed up so there will be lots of work to do in the near future.
well i just wanted to write a quick post, time to eat lunch.
adios
I have also been to numerous birthday fiestas this week. It is fun listening to peruvian music and testing out my broken spanish. The weirdest thing about being here is being taller then everyone. At all three birthday fiestas i went to this week i was the tallest person by far. I am only about 5 feet 11 inches.
The projects are going well. I completed the english versionof biopsychosocial assessment for the Casa project in Chupaca. Another volunteer is helping me with the translation. About 41 children have signed up so there will be lots of work to do in the near future.
well i just wanted to write a quick post, time to eat lunch.
adios
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