When I first started by FVP I was not happy, in fact, I was miserable. When I landed in Cusco, Peru I was frustrated, disorientated, and confused. I had not slept in 24 hours and had insomnia, I had not eaten in about 14 hours but my stomach was so upset I could not force anything down, the altitude was making me sick, it was cold, I was alone, and I could not communicate with anyone. I was ready to turn around and get right back on a plane. But I didn’t. It got better. People always tell you it will and they are right, it does. It wasn’t incredible the next day but it did get better, so much better. I have friends here, there is so much to do, I love the work I am doing, and the city is indescribably beautiful. Don’t get me wrong though, there are still days that are harder than others and I still have to make a conscious effort to be present in my thoughts and actions. But I know, without a doubt in my mind, that this is exactly where I am suppose to be at this moment in my life. For that I am grateful I am here. I have been here for just shy of a month and already I have met beautiful people who inspire me to be more kind and conscious in my actions and words, I have observed a culture so suprisingly similar and different to that of my own, and I have been loved by kids who do not even know my name.
When I first got here I seriously doubted my ability to truly contribute anything to this idealistic and messy project. That changed my second day here when I attended the despedida for a long-term volunteer, Araceli. During the circle of expression the children had a chance to present letters and goodbye words to their beloved teacher. The loving words and sorrowful tears that flowed from the students and volunteers were enough to break my heart. So much love is present in the classrooms and relationships here. It absorbs a person, no matter their previous work volunteering with children or their level of Spanish.
A typical day here looks something like this: I wake up around 7:30 AM, get up and tip-toe around the dorm and throw on some clothes before meeting the other morning volunteers in the main room for breakfast .We are suppose to be at the project (Aldea Yanapay) at 8:20 AM so we usually leave around 8:22 AM. Once we get there we put on a smock whose color correlates with our “family”. For the first two hours the children have the opportunity to go to art, library, tutoring, computers, or games. After this they have a 30 minute break where they have a snack and play volleyball or jump rope. After the break, we have the circle of expression where we talk about an important theme, problems children are having in the school, and children have a chance to express their thoughts on the subject. Then we break into our families, which are divided by age, where volunteers present lesson plans on a topic of the week. Previous topics we have had are the rights of women, different continents, and the logo of the school. Within these lesson plans we also help the children prepare for the show that happens every Friday.
Depending on my schedule I either do this in the mornings, afternoons, or both. I have also taken a week of Spanish lessons, toured the city, and taken beautiful trips out to The Sacred Valley and Moras. When I am not working I am spending time with other volunteers, going out to eat or to listen to music, and shopping. Next week I hope to start yoga classes in the morning and I have yet to see Machu Picchu.
I am in a beautiful city and I am incredibly thankful to be here and not sitting in a college classroom back home. Thank you to everyone here and back home (especially Michelle) who supported me and helped me through my difficulties in my transition here.
– Ellen Kroll
