The team departed Kamloops on Friday night, Oct 15th and arrived in Calgary to join up with the 3 team members from there. We were hosted by team member Sara for a little farewell party in her home. We flew Calgary-Houston-Lima and arrived at 11:30pm, after sitting on the tarmac for an hour; free drinks from United Airlines. We checked into the pleasant Bayview Hotel after a very long travel day. The resident turtles were there to greet us in the charming inner courtyard.
Sunday would be our only free day so we set out to see a bit of Lima. Our hotel is next to the Marriott in the ocean side Miraflores district. It just happened that Justin Bieber was arriving at the Marriott that day so mobs of teen girls were gathered outside singing his songs and screaming for him ALL day and night. When the girls knew that we were from Canada they would ask if we knew him! We walked up one of the main avenues and experienced many sites including Lima's Run for the Cure, one of the many cathedrals, 1700 year old Lima peoples ruins and a local craft market. On the way, walking through a park, all of us were randomly hugged (abrazo) and danced with a big group of locals; a great sign of the fun to come! Our Team Leader, Tony, took us to lunch at a fun outdoor restaurant on the square where we were served our first pisco sours, some tried cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca. Rob had his second encounter with a surprising foot fetish friend!
The rest of the day was spent doing whatever we were interested in (nap). We walked up the street for a nice dinner at what has now become very comfortable..."Tablo for 11, por favor". A night is not complete with out 'a stop off ' at the neighboring sports bar. The same 2 corner tables seem to be waiting for us each night and Vic.
Tony, Mike, Graham, Kathleen, Rob, Sara, Anita, Phil, Dana, Doug and Vic
DWC Team Leader and Participants
Lima, Peru October 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Lima, Peru: Memories and gifts to last a lifetime
I can´t believe that two weeks have come and gone. This has been the most amazing time of my life working with such energetic and fun loving people on such a worthwhile project. I am so proud to have been part of such a hard working group.
We managed to cut rebar to specific lengths with just an ordinary hack saw. Then these were bent into shapes for the rebar column. The rebar columns were held together by twisting wire around the shapes.The rebar columns were then erected in their specific places. Next we had to haul up bricks from the floor below. The children would come and help us on their breaks passing bricks along a line. The last person on the line would then throw them up to a catcher on the second floor. Miraculously no bricks were lost this way (our foreman kept mentioning that bricks were $1 each).We had lots of fun joking with him. Then we had to haul sand up the ramp in buckets. The children would do their bit as well. They were so enthusiastic helping. It was hard for the teachers to get them back to class. It was wonderful to see them so busy and helpful. We also mixed the cement for laying the brick walls. It had to be just the right mixture. This was very hard work. Once that was done the bricklaying began. That was fun. We managed to get 6 walls erected before our bricks ran out.
We were very lucky with the weather. I doesn't really rain here , just gets very damp when the clouds are low. It is very cool in the morning and evening but when the sun finally breaks through you definitely need sunscreen. As it is spring here in Oct we weren't bothered by any mosquitoes.
We were able to have lots of interaction with the children which was a great highlight for all of us. Every morning the children would have dancing lessons to Peruvian music outside. On occasion we were able to join in. That was great fun.
On our last day , it was a holiday for the children and it was strange being at the site with no sound of childrens voices. Later in the afternoon they showed up for more photos. Then we were called in for a debriefing while the children, teachers and parents got a room ready to give us a show. They had dancing, music, Inka Cola and cookies that the children had baked in class for us. The children presented us with a going away gift which will always be treasured.
For helping with the project IFEJANT gave us each a Peruvian manta (blanket) . These will be treasured forever as well. The schoolmaster mentioned that the children will pass through the school but our bricks and mortar will last forever as a reminder of all the work we have done. He also mentioned that inspectors would drop by and because the project has been coming along so well the school would be able to have more donations from the government. What a truly amazing project we have been able to do.
Every little bit helps!
Lorna Stephens
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
We managed to cut rebar to specific lengths with just an ordinary hack saw. Then these were bent into shapes for the rebar column. The rebar columns were held together by twisting wire around the shapes.The rebar columns were then erected in their specific places. Next we had to haul up bricks from the floor below. The children would come and help us on their breaks passing bricks along a line. The last person on the line would then throw them up to a catcher on the second floor. Miraculously no bricks were lost this way (our foreman kept mentioning that bricks were $1 each).We had lots of fun joking with him. Then we had to haul sand up the ramp in buckets. The children would do their bit as well. They were so enthusiastic helping. It was hard for the teachers to get them back to class. It was wonderful to see them so busy and helpful. We also mixed the cement for laying the brick walls. It had to be just the right mixture. This was very hard work. Once that was done the bricklaying began. That was fun. We managed to get 6 walls erected before our bricks ran out.
We were very lucky with the weather. I doesn't really rain here , just gets very damp when the clouds are low. It is very cool in the morning and evening but when the sun finally breaks through you definitely need sunscreen. As it is spring here in Oct we weren't bothered by any mosquitoes.
We were able to have lots of interaction with the children which was a great highlight for all of us. Every morning the children would have dancing lessons to Peruvian music outside. On occasion we were able to join in. That was great fun.
On our last day , it was a holiday for the children and it was strange being at the site with no sound of childrens voices. Later in the afternoon they showed up for more photos. Then we were called in for a debriefing while the children, teachers and parents got a room ready to give us a show. They had dancing, music, Inka Cola and cookies that the children had baked in class for us. The children presented us with a going away gift which will always be treasured.
For helping with the project IFEJANT gave us each a Peruvian manta (blanket) . These will be treasured forever as well. The schoolmaster mentioned that the children will pass through the school but our bricks and mortar will last forever as a reminder of all the work we have done. He also mentioned that inspectors would drop by and because the project has been coming along so well the school would be able to have more donations from the government. What a truly amazing project we have been able to do.
Every little bit helps!
Lorna Stephens
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Jaen, Peru: Working away!
We have made major progress on the site today. Concrete is being made, and painting is progressing well. Richard and his crew show the volunteers how they can mix several bags of cement into concrete. In other countries, the workers mix one bag at a time. Here is the process: Step one, add all ingredients and dry-mix. Step two: make a huge cauldron for water. Step three: add water, and start mixing concrete at the edge, continuously sliding the mix into the trench.The method yields a huge amount of concrete, which is a good thing, because the footings are 1.7 cubic meters each. Empty cement bags are filled with sand to create a dam for the footing. They are removed after the concrete sets in about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, a new addition to the world arrives, Evelyn Rosemary, born just after her pregnant mother attended our "meet the parents" evening last Thursday. Her proud mother and father show her to each of us.
Volunteers have moved to the school stairwell, scraping, washing and painting. There's still a lot more digging and painting to do, but spirits are high as we progress through our work.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Meanwhile, a new addition to the world arrives, Evelyn Rosemary, born just after her pregnant mother attended our "meet the parents" evening last Thursday. Her proud mother and father show her to each of us.
Volunteers have moved to the school stairwell, scraping, washing and painting. There's still a lot more digging and painting to do, but spirits are high as we progress through our work.
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Lima, Peru: Incredible experience
Our one week of volunteering has completed, funny how a week can go by so quickly! This experience has been incredible, what has moved me the most is how what I had considered to be a "vacation" has really been so much more than that. The first day we arrived I was overwhelmed with how excited the kids were, they had practiced songs for us, bombarded us with questions and were eager to learn and say all our names. The principal, Mr. Edwin, was in a suit, which later in the week I saw him dressed in regular jeans and a sweatshirt, that first day, I didn´t realize it, but we were kind of a big deal!
On our last day on site we had a sports day with the kids and after it was all said and done, because three of us were traveling to Cusco this week, we were given quite a send off. All the kids said "Muchos Gracias" for our all our help in unison and much more (I wish I could understand!). They also presented us with gifts, beautiful Peruvian blankets, I was so touched. I hope the school knows that even though they were so grateful of our help in just a short week, I am even more grateful of how accepting and welcoming they were to me in this short time. Everyone I have met in Lima has gone above and beyond to make our stay not only a chance to immerse ourselves in their culture, but they have really opened their arms and made us feel welcome. Thank you DWC, Jen Baillie and the rest of the team, for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It has really shown me that no matter when and where in the world, any place can feel like home.
Jennifer Ng
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
On our last day on site we had a sports day with the kids and after it was all said and done, because three of us were traveling to Cusco this week, we were given quite a send off. All the kids said "Muchos Gracias" for our all our help in unison and much more (I wish I could understand!). They also presented us with gifts, beautiful Peruvian blankets, I was so touched. I hope the school knows that even though they were so grateful of our help in just a short week, I am even more grateful of how accepting and welcoming they were to me in this short time. Everyone I have met in Lima has gone above and beyond to make our stay not only a chance to immerse ourselves in their culture, but they have really opened their arms and made us feel welcome. Thank you DWC, Jen Baillie and the rest of the team, for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It has really shown me that no matter when and where in the world, any place can feel like home.
Jennifer Ng
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Lima, Peru: Connections
World Connections is a great way to describe my experiences in the first week of this adventure. All of our work group are somehow connected to our Team Leader Jen Baillie. Everyone brings their own talents to our team but enthusiasm, energy and a determination to learn is common to all. Our new friends in Peru from Luze, our DWC/IFEJANT host, through to the children of San Jose Obrero school all bring the same common qualities. The construction is bricks and mortar with rebar reinforced concrete columns. When the Engineer came to the site there was an animated discussion with the site foreman, Abdias, then a few minor adjustments. Seems Inspectors have an impact on quality control all over the world!!
There is a fantastic connection being made between our new friends and ourselves. Personalities are world wide and shy, mischievous, outgoing but we are all working towards a common goal which quickly transcends any language and cultural differences.
During the mixing of the mortar all of the 10-12 year olds of one class enthusiastically carried buckets of water, sand and stone to the top floor. Then they came around and talked to us. They taught me to say `fabricarde esquella`` and I taught them to say build the school. We would point to each other and repeat the phrase laughing at each others pronunciation. One of the 11 year old girls (likely a future teacher) explained to Amelia and I how to place the bricks without wasting any mortar. When we didn't quite get it she wagged her finger at us and said no, no, no, until we got it right!! Marjorie also taught Amelia many more Spanish words to add to her expanding vocabulary.
Friday afternoon became the highlight for everyone when we were organized into teams for games which began with an impromptu soccer match where everyone joined in including a dog and a boy on a scooter. No one knew who was on whose team but a laughing good time was had by all. My highlight was when our Amarillo (yellow) group sat after the games eagerly anticipating the next event, three 4-6 year olds came up to me and were intrigued by my blue eyes. They jumped on my back and we rough housed until our 11 year old Captain brought our group to order. A hearty thank you was given along with gift presentations to Amelia, Jen and Duncan who are departing Sunday.
The evening connected a whole other cultural norm as Peru scored twice and defeated Paraguay in a sold out soccer match in Lima. As we watched on TV at our Hostal, host Ronal leaped up and down and cheered outside along with hundreds of others within ear shot. Go teamwork go eh!!
Russ Carmichael
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
There is a fantastic connection being made between our new friends and ourselves. Personalities are world wide and shy, mischievous, outgoing but we are all working towards a common goal which quickly transcends any language and cultural differences.
During the mixing of the mortar all of the 10-12 year olds of one class enthusiastically carried buckets of water, sand and stone to the top floor. Then they came around and talked to us. They taught me to say `fabricarde esquella`` and I taught them to say build the school. We would point to each other and repeat the phrase laughing at each others pronunciation. One of the 11 year old girls (likely a future teacher) explained to Amelia and I how to place the bricks without wasting any mortar. When we didn't quite get it she wagged her finger at us and said no, no, no, until we got it right!! Marjorie also taught Amelia many more Spanish words to add to her expanding vocabulary.
Friday afternoon became the highlight for everyone when we were organized into teams for games which began with an impromptu soccer match where everyone joined in including a dog and a boy on a scooter. No one knew who was on whose team but a laughing good time was had by all. My highlight was when our Amarillo (yellow) group sat after the games eagerly anticipating the next event, three 4-6 year olds came up to me and were intrigued by my blue eyes. They jumped on my back and we rough housed until our 11 year old Captain brought our group to order. A hearty thank you was given along with gift presentations to Amelia, Jen and Duncan who are departing Sunday.
The evening connected a whole other cultural norm as Peru scored twice and defeated Paraguay in a sold out soccer match in Lima. As we watched on TV at our Hostal, host Ronal leaped up and down and cheered outside along with hundreds of others within ear shot. Go teamwork go eh!!
Russ Carmichael
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Lima, Peru: Work hard, play hard!
Hola,
Today was action packed day at the school, building and playing with the children. We started to make the walls for the two new classrooms with bricks and cement, its definitely going to be a long process but we will get it done. The children got to help out by bringing us water when we needed it, to add to our mixture of dry sand and cement. I would suggest wearing sun screen and drink lots of water while working, even though it is overcast you will still get burnt.
After lunch we got to hang out with the children, they love playing soccer with everyone and playing Stella Stella which I taught them. When all the kids came up to the playing court we had some organized competition with the children: potato sack races, 3 legged races, spoon races pop the balloon, wheelbarrow races. Once we finished the the games we brought out the juice and cookies we brought to share with the kids, they were super excited. We handed out prizes to all the children (stickers, Canada pins, tennis balls, pencils, soccer balls, gloves, t-shirts and hats), the kids loved them and tried to trick us by saying that they didn't get a prize.
Over all it was a fantastic day!!!
Jessica Darville
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Today was action packed day at the school, building and playing with the children. We started to make the walls for the two new classrooms with bricks and cement, its definitely going to be a long process but we will get it done. The children got to help out by bringing us water when we needed it, to add to our mixture of dry sand and cement. I would suggest wearing sun screen and drink lots of water while working, even though it is overcast you will still get burnt.
After lunch we got to hang out with the children, they love playing soccer with everyone and playing Stella Stella which I taught them. When all the kids came up to the playing court we had some organized competition with the children: potato sack races, 3 legged races, spoon races pop the balloon, wheelbarrow races. Once we finished the the games we brought out the juice and cookies we brought to share with the kids, they were super excited. We handed out prizes to all the children (stickers, Canada pins, tennis balls, pencils, soccer balls, gloves, t-shirts and hats), the kids loved them and tried to trick us by saying that they didn't get a prize.
Over all it was a fantastic day!!!
Jessica Darville
DWC Participant
Lima, Peru October 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Jaen, Peru: The DWC team is complete!
Weary, but thrilled to be joining us so far away from home, our delayed volunteers, Freda and Bill, arrive at 6:30 in the morning yesterday after an overnight ride. After many hugs, our little group of Developing World Connections volunteers is complete! The rest of Sunday is time for walks, conversations and reflection on our bonds with our world family far away from Canada.
Today Bill and Freda join in with the rest of the volunteers. We mixed concrete and began the process of setting in re bar footings and posts. We had to manoeuvre a tall re bar column frame to it's permanent place on top of the kitchen footing.
Meanwhile, the volunteers have begun to "spruce up" the school exterior and grounds-entrance gate, while other volunteers work with re bar and concrete. Richard demonstrated to Michelle, Hazel, and Linda how to apply the 50/50 water/paint mix to the walls with spilling paint from the roller while Sharon and Patricia applied red oxide paint primer to the gate.
Later, Bill handed out rainbow gummy worms to the children at recess. Imagine Bill offering a snake, then violently wiggling it when each child approached!
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
Today Bill and Freda join in with the rest of the volunteers. We mixed concrete and began the process of setting in re bar footings and posts. We had to manoeuvre a tall re bar column frame to it's permanent place on top of the kitchen footing.
Meanwhile, the volunteers have begun to "spruce up" the school exterior and grounds-entrance gate, while other volunteers work with re bar and concrete. Richard demonstrated to Michelle, Hazel, and Linda how to apply the 50/50 water/paint mix to the walls with spilling paint from the roller while Sharon and Patricia applied red oxide paint primer to the gate.
Later, Bill handed out rainbow gummy worms to the children at recess. Imagine Bill offering a snake, then violently wiggling it when each child approached!
Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Jaen, Peru: October 2011
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