Hola,
Our first day was amazing. We all agreed to individually pay extra for a Spanish lesson and tour. They taught us all morning then took us to exchange our money in soles, then to the market, and off to a tour of town. It is highly recommend as it was very helpful for around town and also at the work site the next day.
The weather is fairly cold at night, and where the hostel is located I would recommend pants and socks/shoes. Perhaps even a jacket.
Our second day was our first day at the job site! What an amazing experience. We were able to meet all the kids, they had songs prepared and were excited to meet us. That is where the Spanish lesson comes in handy, its warming to be able to interact with words. The work site is a lot warmer of a climate, I would recommend, hats, work gloves, proper shoes, and some long shorts and t-shirts.
If you are going to bring donations I would recommend some picture books of animals, the kids were very curious about what Canada looks like. Extra recommendation, bring toilet paper (!papel higenico¡)
Natalie Sweryda
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Jaen, Peru: Digging in
Time slows a little here, and the volunteers' internal clocks are now beginning to sync with the pace of life in Peru. It's hot and dry; the streets are dusty, partly from a great deal of water main upgrading, and the general nature of the climate at this time of year as we're heading into summer south of the equator. We even had a whirlwind that was strong enough to tear some corrugated iron roof sections off a nearby house. The wind was welcomed by the volunteers because it becomes very warm when clouds open to bright sun in a blue sky. We are now careful to refill our bottles with water from our 25L water container, and rest when our bodies tell us we need to rest and seek shade.
The kitchen will take several weeks of labour to build, so our accomplishments are measured in metres of trench dug and the vision of setting up the first concrete forms and bending rebar. We marked the outline of the kitchen with lime. There will be six 4' deep holes dug for pillars, all joined by 3' deep trenches, dug into soil that is like soft sandstone shale. It's very hard and slow work.
Reporters from two newspapers, one named La Prensa, and one TV station "Hora 20" and a Radio Unico, showed up at the site. We have no idea how they discovered what we are doing, but we are elated that CEPRONAM and Developing World Connections are able to show the Peruvian world what community partners can accomplish.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
The kitchen will take several weeks of labour to build, so our accomplishments are measured in metres of trench dug and the vision of setting up the first concrete forms and bending rebar. We marked the outline of the kitchen with lime. There will be six 4' deep holes dug for pillars, all joined by 3' deep trenches, dug into soil that is like soft sandstone shale. It's very hard and slow work.
Reporters from two newspapers, one named La Prensa, and one TV station "Hora 20" and a Radio Unico, showed up at the site. We have no idea how they discovered what we are doing, but we are elated that CEPRONAM and Developing World Connections are able to show the Peruvian world what community partners can accomplish.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Jaen, Peru: Getting to Jaen
The DWC volunteers took a 1.5 hour flight from Lima to Chiclayo. Chiclayo city has a dry landscape, with the majority of buildings constructed of brick, giving the city a sandy-brown colour. In the distance, there are agricultural crops. We arrived in Jaen after a 6-hour double-decker bus ride from Chiclayo. There, we were met by CEPRONAM's Sylvia, Yolanda and Mario, plus a number of family members. We were very warmly welcomed and whisked away to our hotel using several mototaxis, a very common means of inexpensive transportation.
The tired volunteers had a late dinner with our hosts, then turned into bed just before midnight. The air in Jaen is warm and humid, evidence of it's being closer to the equator than Lima. Tomorrow, we will get an orientation and discuss building plans for the new kitchen.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
The tired volunteers had a late dinner with our hosts, then turned into bed just before midnight. The air in Jaen is warm and humid, evidence of it's being closer to the equator than Lima. Tomorrow, we will get an orientation and discuss building plans for the new kitchen.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Jaen, Peru: Arriving in Lima
The Kamloops volunteers' alarms rang around 4am, and we collectively jumped out of bed to greet this new adventure! Well, maybe that's not quite the case, because I was still doing last minute packing a little after midnight. All eleven volunteers are taking various routes to our destination: the Bayview hotel in the Miraflores area of Lima, which is close to la playa ( the beach), various parks and walkways. Lima is only two hours ahead of Canada's west coast, but culturally distant in that Peru is a predominantly Spanish speaking country and steeped in history as old as the Pyramids.
After flying to Toronto, it was a very relaxing flight to Lima. Arriving late, we were met by the Bayview van- it is always a good feeling to see a sign that says "Developing World Connections", an instant connection to the country which we will all come to know better over the course of two weeks. We arrived mysteriously short two volunteers, despite phone calls to our accommodation. Their whereabouts were unknown until we found out later that evening when we arrived at our hotel that they were unavoidably delayed in Huston, Texas and will join us later. Michele, our emergency contact at DWC in Kamloops, relayed a message via email that the two were safe and looking forward to joining us as soon as possible.
October 1st, we spent a relaxing day wandering the streets of Lima. We saw the changing of the guard at the royal palace, marvelled at the Baroque and classical architecture, stopped to gawk at massive 18th century doors, and wandered in underground catacombs, complete with the mortal remains of centuries of monks and saints. Lima is a vibrant city with very clean streets and parks. Many couples arm-in-arm, and people scurrying to and fro along the numerous pedestrians only streets, a feature many would be envious of in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
The weather is perfect, not too warm, or too hot. We quickly decompressed down to the unhurried pace of the Peruvian. English is rare in this part of the world, but we walked, discussed, laughed, and walked some more, then we ate. We had to ask some of the patrons what they would recommend, then with taste buds watering, we enjoyed ethnic diversity. In the evening, we walked the warm night streets, bustling with families and the rest of the smiling populace, feeling safe and serene, and then walked up a flight of stairs to mouth-watering fare at the Bircher Benner Fina Cocina.
We are up early, packed and away to Chiclayo tomorrow.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
After flying to Toronto, it was a very relaxing flight to Lima. Arriving late, we were met by the Bayview van- it is always a good feeling to see a sign that says "Developing World Connections", an instant connection to the country which we will all come to know better over the course of two weeks. We arrived mysteriously short two volunteers, despite phone calls to our accommodation. Their whereabouts were unknown until we found out later that evening when we arrived at our hotel that they were unavoidably delayed in Huston, Texas and will join us later. Michele, our emergency contact at DWC in Kamloops, relayed a message via email that the two were safe and looking forward to joining us as soon as possible.
October 1st, we spent a relaxing day wandering the streets of Lima. We saw the changing of the guard at the royal palace, marvelled at the Baroque and classical architecture, stopped to gawk at massive 18th century doors, and wandered in underground catacombs, complete with the mortal remains of centuries of monks and saints. Lima is a vibrant city with very clean streets and parks. Many couples arm-in-arm, and people scurrying to and fro along the numerous pedestrians only streets, a feature many would be envious of in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
The weather is perfect, not too warm, or too hot. We quickly decompressed down to the unhurried pace of the Peruvian. English is rare in this part of the world, but we walked, discussed, laughed, and walked some more, then we ate. We had to ask some of the patrons what they would recommend, then with taste buds watering, we enjoyed ethnic diversity. In the evening, we walked the warm night streets, bustling with families and the rest of the smiling populace, feeling safe and serene, and then walked up a flight of stairs to mouth-watering fare at the Bircher Benner Fina Cocina.
We are up early, packed and away to Chiclayo tomorrow.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lima, Peru: From the Team Leader.
Volunteering in Lima for the past four weeks with my team has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have yet to encounter.
On Friday June 3rd we went to school for a fair well ceremony and to enjoy “fun day” with the kids. Our day started with a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Villa Maria and the Director of the school, Edwin. The municipality has donated a stove with gas to the school as a result of the new facility that the DWC team has been working on this past month. At a previous meeting with IFEJANT Edwin informed the team that 70 percent of the children in the community are malnourished and 40 percent of those are chronically malnourished. Knowing that the community now has a better kitchen with new equipment makes me feel hopeful that soon these percentages will shrink. Edwin said their goal is to feed breakfast and lunch to 150 children each day, and I can’t help but to feel proud that my team has helped to create this change.
Taking a step back to look at the big picture, I’ve come to realize that this project is bigger than just a team of students helping out. When the municipality of Villa Maria sees a Canadian group working on a project to better the productivity of a school, they are forced to think about what contribution they are giving to better the lives of their people. This consideration led to the donation of supplies to the school’s kitchen.
The construction project we have been working on has been challenging for many reasons, be it language barrier, frustration with construction, a misunderstanding on what needs to be done and why, or just plain exhaustion. However, working through these challenges not only makes the experience memorable, but it helps a person develop and grow in ways that cannot be replicated through textbooks and lectures. This is a concept that San Jose Obrero strives to teach its students, and it is something that we can all take and apply to our lives.
The past four weeks have been nothing short of amazing I am so fortunate to have been able to volunteer with, and get to know, such an amazing group of people.
On Friday June 3rd we went to school for a fair well ceremony and to enjoy “fun day” with the kids. Our day started with a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Villa Maria and the Director of the school, Edwin. The municipality has donated a stove with gas to the school as a result of the new facility that the DWC team has been working on this past month. At a previous meeting with IFEJANT Edwin informed the team that 70 percent of the children in the community are malnourished and 40 percent of those are chronically malnourished. Knowing that the community now has a better kitchen with new equipment makes me feel hopeful that soon these percentages will shrink. Edwin said their goal is to feed breakfast and lunch to 150 children each day, and I can’t help but to feel proud that my team has helped to create this change.
Taking a step back to look at the big picture, I’ve come to realize that this project is bigger than just a team of students helping out. When the municipality of Villa Maria sees a Canadian group working on a project to better the productivity of a school, they are forced to think about what contribution they are giving to better the lives of their people. This consideration led to the donation of supplies to the school’s kitchen.
The construction project we have been working on has been challenging for many reasons, be it language barrier, frustration with construction, a misunderstanding on what needs to be done and why, or just plain exhaustion. However, working through these challenges not only makes the experience memorable, but it helps a person develop and grow in ways that cannot be replicated through textbooks and lectures. This is a concept that San Jose Obrero strives to teach its students, and it is something that we can all take and apply to our lives.
The past four weeks have been nothing short of amazing I am so fortunate to have been able to volunteer with, and get to know, such an amazing group of people.
Leah Donatiello
DWC Team Leader
Lima, Peru May 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Lima, Peru: Lessons learned
With only 2 more days left in our volunteer project, we had another busy workday. The kitchen is now complete and yesterday a new eco-friendly gas stove was brought to the school, courtesy of the local municipality. The exterior and interior has been painted and 3 out of 4 doors have been installed. In 4 short weeks, our team has constructed a building, which in my opinion looked impossible at first given the environment we were in. San Jose Obereo is located in the poverty struck mountain region of Villa Maria and our building has been constructed on a cliff overlooking the school.
We have all worked to the best of our abilities on this project and along with the construction we have bonded with the children and created relationships that will never be forgotten. The children make us feel very welcome and their presence has made this experience unforgettable. To witness first hand the extreme poverty that these children and their families live in has really impacted me and made me become much more appreciative of life. Before coming to Villa Maria I had no idea what to expect. The children are full of so much happiness and joy yet they work ever so hard inside and outside of school to live the life they live. My passion for soccer was a huge reason for my interaction with the children. Everyday at least once I would make my way to the school basketball/soccer court and play with the Niño’s and Niñas even if it was only for 20 minutes. They love soccer and for me to play with them, teach them tricks, and share my love for the game was amazing. I remember telling my team leader, Leah, that this was exactly what I wanted to do when I arrived in Peru. Play with children, make them smile and realize that even though it may seem like the 9 of us are strangers from an unknown world, we at one point in our lives were kids just like them.
Mahatma Gandhi once wrote “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In my 4 weeks at Villa Maria, not only have I learned many life lessons, but have found myself in a way that I never could have imagined. To be able to help the members of this community has been an experience, lesson and a pleasure. The relationships and memories that have been created will remain in my heart forever.
Ryan Aujla
DWC Student Volunteer
We have all worked to the best of our abilities on this project and along with the construction we have bonded with the children and created relationships that will never be forgotten. The children make us feel very welcome and their presence has made this experience unforgettable. To witness first hand the extreme poverty that these children and their families live in has really impacted me and made me become much more appreciative of life. Before coming to Villa Maria I had no idea what to expect. The children are full of so much happiness and joy yet they work ever so hard inside and outside of school to live the life they live. My passion for soccer was a huge reason for my interaction with the children. Everyday at least once I would make my way to the school basketball/soccer court and play with the Niño’s and Niñas even if it was only for 20 minutes. They love soccer and for me to play with them, teach them tricks, and share my love for the game was amazing. I remember telling my team leader, Leah, that this was exactly what I wanted to do when I arrived in Peru. Play with children, make them smile and realize that even though it may seem like the 9 of us are strangers from an unknown world, we at one point in our lives were kids just like them.
Mahatma Gandhi once wrote “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In my 4 weeks at Villa Maria, not only have I learned many life lessons, but have found myself in a way that I never could have imagined. To be able to help the members of this community has been an experience, lesson and a pleasure. The relationships and memories that have been created will remain in my heart forever.
Ryan Aujla
DWC Student Volunteer
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Lima, Peru: May 2011 Student Team
Lima, Peru: May 2011 Student Team
Wow, only one week left of our four week adventure here in Lima, Peru. On May 26th we were picked up in the morning and taken to a working school for children and adolescents called MANTOC. Children take part in all areas of this school, they have a kitchen in which the children learn how to bake in a safe and sanitary way, and they can also learn the essentials of math when pricing these goods for sale. Its a very different perspective to comprehend, but it allows children who would normally not be able to afford public or private school, to still get an education.
At work we are busier than ever!! The experience and awareness that we have gained from working over the last 3 weeks will be beneficial for the rest of our lives. With only one week left the last final push has come to try and get everything done. The roof is finally finished, also interior and exterior painting is coming along nicely. Its a gratifying feeling to know that when we are gone, there will be three new usable rooms that were not there when we got here. This will allow the mothers to have a clean and safe working environment when preparing the meals for the kids. Everyone's Spanish is improving immensely, except they definitely seem to understand mine better when I make bold hand gestures, sometimes I wonder if it just sounds like Spanish in my mind. No that can't be it. But seriously we are all able to communicate fairly effectively with the children and parents at the school.
This has been an amazing experience, I was somewhat anxious when starting out because I had never personally met any of the other participants who are on this trip. But when working and living together the bonds that have been established, if even for a short period of time, will be an everlasting memory. I believe that when we finish off this week and take a step back to see what we have all accomplished together as a team, we will have our heads held high, but firmly planted in reality.
Rory Callaghan
DWC Student Volunteer
Wow, only one week left of our four week adventure here in Lima, Peru. On May 26th we were picked up in the morning and taken to a working school for children and adolescents called MANTOC. Children take part in all areas of this school, they have a kitchen in which the children learn how to bake in a safe and sanitary way, and they can also learn the essentials of math when pricing these goods for sale. Its a very different perspective to comprehend, but it allows children who would normally not be able to afford public or private school, to still get an education.
At work we are busier than ever!! The experience and awareness that we have gained from working over the last 3 weeks will be beneficial for the rest of our lives. With only one week left the last final push has come to try and get everything done. The roof is finally finished, also interior and exterior painting is coming along nicely. Its a gratifying feeling to know that when we are gone, there will be three new usable rooms that were not there when we got here. This will allow the mothers to have a clean and safe working environment when preparing the meals for the kids. Everyone's Spanish is improving immensely, except they definitely seem to understand mine better when I make bold hand gestures, sometimes I wonder if it just sounds like Spanish in my mind. No that can't be it. But seriously we are all able to communicate fairly effectively with the children and parents at the school.
This has been an amazing experience, I was somewhat anxious when starting out because I had never personally met any of the other participants who are on this trip. But when working and living together the bonds that have been established, if even for a short period of time, will be an everlasting memory. I believe that when we finish off this week and take a step back to see what we have all accomplished together as a team, we will have our heads held high, but firmly planted in reality.
Rory Callaghan
DWC Student Volunteer
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