Update

Monday, July 25, 2011

Wow, so much has happened in the past week I don’t even know where to begin. I feel so honored and grateful to be here and to have had so many incredible experiences in our short week and a half.

Our project has been a lot different than we first anticipated because when we arrived we discovered that winter break was about to shortly commence. Instead we reorganized our time in Peru, and will be doing our project (see previous entries) in the last half of our trip. During the last two weeks we’ve been volunteering at the school, Fe Y Alegria, that we’re collaborating with for our project. Brianna and I worked in two different 1st grade classes during the morning session from 8 to 12:30. After teaching kindergarten for a year in Slovakia with 22 kids, I really developed a deep appreciation for teachers and also how stressful and hard it is to manage a class, especially young kids. I thought 22 kids were difficult, and then I stepped into this classroom. There were 35 six and seven year old's in the class. It wasn’t a complete mad house, but quite chaotic nonetheless.

We’re also working in Los Martincitos, a community-based initiative that started over 40 years ago. Three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays—up to 130 poor senior citizens who are eligible for the program receive two hot meals, recreational activities, organized prayer, basic health care and an opportunity to socialize with others. To be eligible, one must be at least 65 years ol, and live below the poverty line of $2 a day for a family of four. (The "absolute poverty" line is $1 a day for a family of four.)

They also have a learning room with a literacy program set up by the government. Many of the abuelos that come are illiterate, and although the majority of them are over the age of 80, they still thirst for knowledge and are extremely eager to learn. The program’s slogan is “Nunca es tarde para aprender” (It’s never too late to learn). I got to work in this group last week with one of my favorite abuelas, Teresa, who’s about 85, 4’5, and as feisty now as I’m sure she was when she was 30. Together we made signs to decorate their room.

In the morning after clearing up from breakfast, I heard music blasting from their recreation room. After listening more closely I realized that everyone was boogying away to Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca”. Myself and the other volunteers all joined in for a few songs. If you're a self-conscious dancer, or just prefer dancing in private, I highly recommend this experience to break you out of your shell. Not only can you dance care-free, but all of the abuelitos encourage, hoot, holler, and kiss you on the cheek when you finish. Talk about a confidence booster.


The atmosphere at the center is wonderful. Although pretty much all of them live in abject poverty, they are so happy and content with what they have. I've really fallen in love with the place.