Peru June 2019 Photo Journal

TEAM 213 JOURNAL

GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS SAGRADA FAMILIA, PERU

JUNE 15 - 29, 2019

WWW.GLOBALVOLUNTEERS.ORG

GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS P e r u

T e a m

G o a l s

To Understand and Accept a New Culture

2 1 3

T e a m

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

Open - Mindness

To Build Relationships with the Children To Serve Children To Accept Humility Personal Goals

T e a m

Respect Passionate

Flexibility

Communicative

Focus Hard - Working Determined

Unified Collaborative Positive Unbiased

Humble

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M e s s a g e

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t h e

D a y

Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.

~ Groucho Marx

A

KEN & SCOTT

June 16, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

fter a filling breakfast, the team met and introduced themselves through a very demanding memory game. Some people were accused of cheating at the memory game. We won’t mention names to protect the obviously innocent. This was followed by a safety briefing highlighted by the instruction of “just have a beer” in the event of an earthquake. Next, we came up with a variety of nouns, verbs, adjectives and other assorted linguistic approaches to describing our goals and how we can work together to achieve them.

Some individual notes:

Josh is still waiting for his lunch.

Jack and Shelby are jocks.

Jeromy is searching for a psychotic cat or dog to take home as a pal for his cat named Syrup.

Maya and Urvi are enjoying the food.

Sydney was “volunteered” for several assignments by her sister.

Kurt, aka bashful, is rumored to be planning a concert and song fest featuring the violin by weeks-end.

Scott and Ken were rumored to be developing plans to build a multi-story pre-k classroom extravaganza never to be completed however, to avoid taxes.

Erin has been overheard muttering commands like scalpel, shot and other medical terms in preparation for her upcoming assignment in the clinic.

Amber graciously became the responsible utensil coordinator (including washing them too).

Susan, captain of the good ship Perquino, safely got us to and from the Guantamano islands despite puke-provoking seas.

Suma and Avani were doing so many things we can’t count them all.

After a light lunch and dinner, the team went to bed with the second to last thought “Blessed are the cracked as they will let in the light” and their last thought being “what the heck does that mean?”

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T

KURT

June 17, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

his morning at breakfast, Ken and Scott provided an amusing summary of our meetings on Sunday, and Kurt read a message for the day.

At Sagrada Familia, Josh, Jeremy, Kurt, Scott and Ken began the day looking for trowels and trying to figure out where to start on building brick walls. Then Lucho came back, and the ball started rolling. We eventually got a wall built. We now have walls we can lean on, as well as sore backs.

For morning assignments, Erin checked in eight patients at the clinic and rolled a lifetime supply of cotton balls. Meanwhile, Jack, Sidney and Shelby ran basketball drills most of the day and explained how basketball was different from soccer. Susan, Urvi and Suma went to the daycare center, and spent their time giving as much attention as possible to the children in the midst of controlled chaos. Maya and Avani went to the Pre-K class and kept busy chasing slightly older children while Amber was busy fishing toys out of children’s mouths.

At 1:30, we all broke for a hot lunch with the older children in the dining room.

Everyone collected what seemed like a million hugs, and kiss, and “holas.” Afterward, Daniel led a tour of the campus through kitchens, gardens, classrooms and past dormitories. Our team translator, Diego, took over and we continued to the library, on to the clinic, stopping by the chapel and then the construction site. We looped back up the hill past the office, more classrooms and visited the wood shop, where the tour ended.

Starting the afternoon off with construction, Jeremy and Scott went back to “play” with mud, where they left off. While Ken, Josh, and Kurt took a shot at teaching conversational English. Sydney began her shift at the clinic as Erin, Maya, and Avani joined Ervi, Suma, and Susan at daycare. Jack and Shelby worked on their Spanish while shooting some hoops with the afternoon students.

At 4:00 we converged in the vans, and made our way back to Ancon for a welldeserved rest and dinner. We ended our day with donuts and debriefing after dinner.

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M e s s a g e

o f

t h e

D a y

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them.

Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain but for the heart to conquer it.

Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield but to my own strength.

Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved but hope for the patience to win my freedom.

Grant me that I may not be a coward, feeling your mercy in my success alone; but let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

I

AMBER

June 18, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

started my day off in the day care. I have found a knack for soothing crying children. There was a baby named Catalina who was completely expressionless and wouldn’t crack a smile. Eventually, I finally got her smiling and laughing.

Then I headed to assist Liz with her high school students. During the first class, we watched a video of American kids trying food from around the world. They had to write what the kids in the video thought of the food, in English. I helped grade worksheets. The kids were studying countables (grapes) and uncountables (meat) and I realized how confusing English can be.

In the next class, Liz had the students stand up and tell me a bit about themselves in English. The remainder of the class, kids got the opportunity to ask me questions in English and I was shocked at how many students wanted to ask me questions. They were excited and eager so it was a lot of fun.

At lunch, i was informed by a little boy that I was holding my spoon improperly. He kindly demonstrated the correct way to hold my utensil. After lunch, Erin and I headed to the day care. When I walked in, I saw Catalina crying so I picked her up again. I held her until we had to leave at 4. She was definitely not in the mood to smile now. She had a bad case of pink eye and was clearly miserable. While I was holding a cranky baby, Erin was anchored down by two toddlers wrapped around her feet. She spent the remainder of the day with heavy steps and rocking crying children to sleep in her arms.

After getting ice cream, we reconvened with the group to have dinner and discussed inspirational or surprising realizations made during the day. It seemed that the recurring theme was how happy the children are in the community. Everyone is always smiling, laughing, singing or playing. It’s clear that this is a sacred family.

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T

June 19, 2019

SUSAN

J o u r n a l

E n t r y

he day started with the story of the excitement at the house next door where the men were staying. A dog had gotten stuck during the night on the roof, so they worked together and thankfully she was rescued successfully!

We arrived at Sagrada Familia in the morning with most of our same assignments, except that Erin got to shed a few tears while cutting onions for lunch, and Suma and Avani switched spots for the morning. Avani was able to assist with teaching English class, and Suma helped in the Pre-K classroom.

At mid-morning, we all attended a meeting with Miguel, the director and founder of Sagrada Familia. He told his story about the history of the community, which he started 30 years ago. There are no words to describe Miguel’s passion, commitment, faith, and love for the children. Miguel gave up the comfortable life he had after the death of his infant son from a heart condition. He gave his life to God and felt guided to help ensure homeless children have an education and safe housing. This journey of his over the last 30 years has had many ups and downs personally and with Sagrada Familia, but at the end of the day he is happy, he loves the children and takes everything one day at a time. We resumed our assignments in the afternoon.

’

"There are no words to describe Miguel s passion, commitment, faith, and love for the children."

At dinner, we revisited our group goals. Everyone felt like we were reaching our goals and doing well as a group. The owner of the restaurant, Aldo, talked to us about the history of Ancon and his life as a chef and restaurant owner. It was an eventful hump day!

W

ERIN & AMBER

June 20, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

e started off the day by following up on our progress towards our team goals, along with a touching story from Josh about a surprising language lesson including the term “cow poop.” After breakfast, we headed out to Sagrada Familia, where Jack didn’t let his sickness stop him from exploring his passion for basketball with the kids - even if he had to work outside in the cold all day.

Shelby and Sydney also battled the mist to enjoy a few hours of sports, while Suma and Amber attempted to dodge toddlers peeing through their pants in the daycare.

We all got our own taste of “Peruvian time” when Liz had to fight through a bus strike to get to campus. She told us about growing up at Sagrada Familia, including the English tutor that changed her life, and how she traveled to America (only to be frightened away by idioms and lightning) until she finally found her true calling as an English teacher in the place where it all began. Liz broke every heart in the room when she reminded us that the hardest part was the children who remembered they had parents, while their parents didn’t remember they had children.

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ERIN & AMBER

June 20, 2019

Afterwards, we gathered for a warm lunch, courtesy of Josh and Jeremy’s tomatochopping skills, and met with another resident teacher, Jorge. He was also raised at Sagrada Familia from age eleven, and looks to Miguel as his father. While he graduated from university and took up another job in Cusco, he soon returned to Sagrada Familia, and found his happiness in teaching English to the kids. He now even has two of his own children living with him on campus.

In the afternoon, Ken and Jeremy engaged the kids in an intense game of Spoons, while Shelby joined Susan in high school English classes. Urvi, Suma, Amber, and Erin spent the afternoon in daycare with the adorable toddlers - who were, thankfully, now dressed in clean clothes. Avani, Maya, and Jack were ready to take on sports, but the kids had other classes, so they interviewed with Michele instead.

We were all treated to a delicious buffet for our fiesta together as a team. Kurt reflected on the strength of the love between the kids at Sagrada Familia, and Scott had the chance to get to know them better inside a classroom for the first time. We finished off the night with a round of Pisco Sours, and toasted to the honorable sacrifices made by Liz and Jorge. (P.S. Don’t forget your pen in case Kurt’s fans want more autographs;)

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W JACK

June 21, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

hile eating breakfast, we got the disappointing news that Jeremy would not be joining us at work today because his tummy hurt. Once we arrived at Sagrada Familia, we started with our routine assignments and broke for lunch as usual at 1:30. Because more than half of our team will be departing tomorrow morning, all 1,400 of the kids assembled next to the volunteers on the soccer field for a big group photo. When we finished, Miguel gave the students a signal, and we were all swarmed with hugs and “adioses.”

Following that, we enjoyed some gourmet empanadas the students made as a fundraiser. Before the end of the day, we had to say goodbye to Shelby, Sydney, Scott, Susan, Avani, Maya, Urvy, Suma, Erin, and Amber. We were all excited (except for Jeremy) to try the new restaurant for dinner at the end of the boardwalk. Josh and I got lost trying to find Michele, who had gone to the ATM. But, she soon saw us wandering on the “malacon,” and we walked together to a delicious dinner at The Bakery. And that was our last dinner with Ken and Michele.

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M e s s a g e

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D a y

I don't think you're quitting because you believe these things you say. I don't. I think you want to believe them, because you're quitting. And you want me to agree with you, and you want me to say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You're right. It's all fucked up. It's a fucking mess. We should all go live in a fucking log cabin." But I won't. I won't say that. I don't agree with you. I do not. I can't.

~ Detective Mills, Se7en

June 24, 2019

T

JEREMY

J o u r n a l

E n t r y

he marketplace is located a couple blocks down the hill from Sagrata Familia – a crayon box of Seussian-shaped fruits and vegetables. Chicken hang from racks, some even splayed open like an anatomy lesson. The Global Volunteers Peru Crew wanders through the serpentine market with wonder-eyes. Daniel convinces Josh to try a passion fruit, and he cracks it open like a caveman breaking the skull of an enemy. He and Jack lay into it.

"The Global Volunteers Peru Crew wanders through the serpentine market with wonder-eyes."

That’s how the day began, with the five of us sampling and buying fruit hauled in recently from the Peruvian jungle. Soon, we trek back through the gate of facility, and “The Brickers” somehow conscript Diego onto the construction squad. Poor Diego!

Kurt aligns the guideline as Jeremy, Diego and Josh busily mix the mortar. So begins the endless dance of mixing mortar, setting bricks, and filling gaps.

Mixing. Setting. Filling. Forever.

Meanwhile, in a neighboring universe, Jack’s basketball squad is decimated to its last member – himself. He spends a portion of the morning assisting English class. During free time, his scholarly efforts are rewarded with an errant volleyball that caroms squarely off his snozz. Seeking safer confines, he takes his bloody nose to the construction site, where all of his athletic skills are put to good use mixing cement.

Jack belongs to the Brickers now.

After lunch, what should have been a routine trip to class became a carnival with us well-meaning Americans delivering their message of love through interpretive dance and merrymaking. Are the children amused? It’s not clear. Though it is clear that Kurt is in his element – his Spanish skills challenged as he plays interpreter between the newbie Americans and the onslaught of curious children. Kurt is more than up for this challenge, and it is entertaining enough for the rest of us just watching him rise to it.

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M e s s a g e

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms, to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

~ Viktor Frankl

D a y

W JOSH

June 25, 2019 J o u r n a l

E n t r y

e started our morning with a taste of exotic fruit, coffee, and cereal. Jack caught us up on the journal from Friday and we got to hear some of Jeremy’s creative side as he read his journal entry for the previous day.

On the way to Sagrada Familia, we take in a fresh view of a now familiar route. Kurt began his day teaching a new song to an eager choir of cheerful children. Jeremy and Josh begin a slow but steady construction on one of the last remaining walls and as the mortar sets, we take time to soak in the impactful view of a shanty covered dune.

All the while Jack lends a hand to Liz and her English class, also helping out George with his class as well.

"A well-needed dinner is ended with a thought-provoking conversation of a brighter future in an ever bright present."

At midday, we took a coffee and juice break in the nearby market where exclusive trompos and forbidden sandwiches roam. Back at the community with Jack equipped with his bag of juice, and Kurt and Jeremy full steam ahead at the steadily climbing walls, I abandon my post to get a lesson from a few children on how to use my new top (trompo).

After a tasty lunch, we all enjoy the children’s joyous company and do our best to communicate across languages, some better than others, “we donde in Ancón.”

Afternoon classes fly by in laughter and a little chaos. Back in Ancón we greet passing children as if still in Sagrada Familia. A well-needed dinner is ended with a thoughtprovoking conversation of a brighter future in an ever bright present.

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June 26, 2019 KURT

T

J o u r n a l

E n t r y

he day started with a breakfast featuring more of the fruit we purchased at the market in Venatnilla. When we arrived at Sagrada Familia, Jack went to help with English class and Kurt went to practice with his new choir, the students of his 6B class. Josh and Jeremey joined Lucho, Luis and Demitri to continue work on the new classrooms. They were joined by Kurt and Jack when their classes / rehearsals were over. We took a break around 11 AM to walk down to the market for more immense servings of juice, surtido and coffee. We still managed to complete two more walls today by lunch time.

Jack made a real impression on the kids at lunch when he christened himself with soup. After lunch, Kurt taught 6B how to do the Hokey Pokey. Josh, Jeremey and Jack when to help out the high school English teachers. At 3:30, we all came to the big soccer court to watch the kids play. Then, just as we were about to leave at 4:00, Miguel came out to preside over a Tug-Of-War contest. He recruited Josh and Jack to help out the teams of high schools kids. We finally left at 4:30 after one victory each by “Team Josh” and “Team Jack”.

"As usual, the food at La Quinta was delicious and we had a great discussions of our adventures and how much we are going to miss this place."

After cleaning up at the hotel Daniel used his special connections to have Aldo and Maricela open the restaurant just for us. As usual, the food at La Quinta was delicious and we had a great discussions of our adventures and how much we are going to miss this place.

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M e s s a g e

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Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Â Wishing is not enough; we must do.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

D a y

June 27, 2019

W KURT

J o u r n a l

E n t r y

e said goodbye to Jack and Jeremy this morning. Now our group is down to just Josh, Kurt and Daniel. We had some artfully arranged oranges to go with our cereal, eggs and coffee for breakfast.

Upon arriving at Sagrada Familia, we encountered a big crowd surrounding a cement mixer. Everyone was preparing to start pouring the floors for the new classrooms we have been working on. Josh went off to help Erica with her classes while Kurt conducted another rehearsal of “Te Necesito Para Sobrevivir” with the 6B class. After rehearsal Kurt joined the work crews helping to clear and level the floors so the concrete could be poured. Josh lent a hand in the kitchen and then joined Liz’s class until lunchtime.

"We had music playing long into the night!"

We enjoyed a lunch of vegetable stew and a “grand tour” of the Sagrada Familia campus by some of the little kids who are so proud of their home. Then Kurt headed off to his last afternoon class with Hugo and the 6B kids while Josh went to help with other English classes. We returned to Ancon to discover that the community there was preparing for a big festival to honor Saint Peter. We had music playing long into the night!

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M e s s a g e

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New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.

~ Lau Tzu

D a y

June 28, 2019

W JOSH

J o u r n a l

E n t r y

oken up by a firework assortment, celebrating Saints Peter and Paul, we started our day at 5am. Some of us were able to get a few extra minutes of shut-eye before our 7:30 breakfast routine. Knowing this to be our last day, although cheerful as usual, we ate breakfast with an ambient sadness.

"Knowing this to be our last day, although cheerful as usual, we ate breakfast with an ambient sadness."

At Sagrada Familia, Kurt rehearsed for a choir and violin concert while I help where I can in Erica’s English class. Around 11:00 the show begins with Kurt on the violin and a choir fully equipped with resonant voices- all giving Sagrada Familia a view of the music they’ve been working on for the past week.

After the show, Liz and her English class hosted a food fiesta. Diego, Daniel, and I stuffed our faces full of chips and cookies along with some Inka Cola to top it off. Soon after saying our farewells to Liz, Hugo’s class had their own fiesta. Kurt was able to enjoy his last lesson with the class he spent so many hours with, and had a sentimental conversation with Hugo and the children following a few snacks.

Because there were no afternoon classes, the children who lived off campus headed home for the day. But we all stayed to have one last lunch with the kids who live at Sagrada Familia. After lunch, we found a chance to lend a quick hand unloading a truck full of tomatoes. About an hour or so later (there were a lot of tomatoes) we said our final “farewells” and headed back to Ancón.

We all then enjoyed a dinner, perched upon a dune at The Deli Bakery. Soon after, Kurt and I said goodbye to Daniel before he headed back home to Liuma, putting an end to our trip with Global Volunteers. Until next time, “Viva la Familia.”

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TEAM 213 JOURNAL Sagrada Familia, Peru June 2019

GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS

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