Dear St. Andrew's 6th Grade,
Greetings and happy new year! I've been in my community at Poerecillo, Peru for almost a month now, adjusting to my new home and family. I have been experiencing the Peruvian holiday season. New Year's Eve was yesterday, and in celebration my host family burned a large life-size straw dummy, signifying the death of the old year. I've sent some pictures ahead by e-mail of the burning . . . everyone was surprised to learn that we don't do the same thing in the States! Christmas was also different from my usual family celebration at home in Jackson. It was still a family affair, with relatives coming together and toasting the birth of Jesus at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 24. My host family also served a meal, to which I added a cucumber and tomato salad. I thought it added a touch of flavor to the chicken and noodles! While fruits are relatively plentiful here (plums, mangoes, papayas, apples), vegetables are harder to come by . . . people just don't eat lettuce or salads. I've been thinking about a garden project behind the local health post, possibly to grow vegetables that people would not normally eat. It's still only an idea now (a good deal of planning will be necessary to make it a success!) for I hope to talk it up with community members, especially mothers.
Next week, I'm having the sign ups for my summer course that I think I mentioned in my last e-mail. I have been coordinating with the local school since my first week . . . I want to get used to walking in the institution, so that when the next semester starts I can plan some more long range health programs. This summer's program will be a course for adolescents (life skills: self-esteem, communication skills, thinking about the future, etc.), which I hope will be popular. Also, I am offering a singing/music course (which ties in with my own interest in music) and a mini-English course, which I'm thinking will be the most popular. People are VERY excited that I'm teaching English, but I don't want it to get out of hand. I came to be a health volunteer and giving little English classes in the summer for me is just a secondary activity. While I have some ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching/tutoring experience, this part of the summer course makes me the most nervous. So, be wishing me luck with my first little project!
I've been going to meetings and visiting neighboring casieros (villages), but I have had a good deal of down time. I've been reading, journaling, and even trying to bake. I made banana bread yesterday for New Year's, which I thought turned out quite nicely.
Before I close, I wanted to give an alert for a possible new dimension to our correspondence in the future. In the next two years (at least!) there are plans to bring computers to Poerecillo, through the local district municipality. Neighboring towns with computer centers sometimes have Internet. What if we could start an exchange between this class and a Peruvian class? Another idea may or may not work . . . I will keep you posted if the prospects look bright. In any case, I hope this update was enjoyable, and that I have more exciting news in the next. Good luck this semester, we'll be in touch.
Sincerely,
Douglas M.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
October 12, 2008
Dear St. Andrew's 6th Grade,
Greetings once again from Peru! It's hard to believe that a month ago I was in Washington, DC, just meeting my fellow volunteers. Hopefully, by this time next month, I will know my site assignment and my home for the next two years. The only thing we know for certain at this point is that we will be in one of the departments (equivalent of states in the U.S., only less independent from central government) to the north of Lima. We could be on the coast, the "Sierra," or highlands of the Andes, or even in the desert! Everyone is very anxious to know.
Lately in our training classes, we have been learning about child nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding for infants. Many children throughout the world don't receive proper feeding in the first two years of their lives, resulting in stunted growth and improper development of the brain. By encouraging mothers and their families to adopt healthy, varied diets, young children will grow up healthy and stronger, as well as better equipped to break the cycles of poverty in their community. It's a slow process, but little by little health promoters are making progress in rural Peru.
Among the most interesting training sessions we've had have been in La Universidad Agrarin (Agriculture University) on Saturday mornings. We learn basics of planting, compost and general farming so we can be better prepared for the reality of our sites, where gardens, potato fields, and animal raising are important parts of life. This past Saturday, we were introduced to the University's beehives and cuy (pronounced COO-ee) pens. We got an up close view of honey-producing bees, which often provide important sources of extra income in certain regions where we will be assigned. We got to taste honey straight from the "colmena" (beehive) but I accidentally got stung! It was pretty intimidating being surrounded by bees (we had on face masks) and I put my hand on one of them by accident. We also saw the cuy pens, which in case you didn't know, are what we call guinea pigs. Though it might be hard to believe, guinea pigs are a delicacy here, and an important source of protein. One day soon, I'll probably be giving it a try . . .
This past week, we also had a holiday, which a few of us used to explore a small town 40KM from our town. The holiday was October 8, the anniversary of Peru's only naval victory in the late 19th Century against Chile. We were far from the seashore, however, opting to go to San Pedro de Casta, about 3200M above sea level, only accessible by ascending a windy dirt road for three hours in a mini bus (called a "combi" here). We went to explore some interesting rock formations outside the pueblico, but we arrived too late in the day to enjoy properly the hike, so we watched a series of horse races that ended in the central plaza of San Pedro. The town is unique (I found out later) because its population is of indigenous Aymarn descent, a culture usually found closer to Bolivia around Lake Titicaca. In the north, there are a significant number of Quechun speakers, some who speak it as their first language. Maybe you can help me . . . what are the differences between Quechua and Aymara? Are there other indigenous groups in Peru?
Well, that's about all for now. No gifts this time, though I'm thinking of setting up a photo site to share some of the pics I've taken with you all. In any case, I hope this letter arrives just as easily as the last one, and that all is well back at SA!
Hasta pronto,
Douglas M.
Greetings once again from Peru! It's hard to believe that a month ago I was in Washington, DC, just meeting my fellow volunteers. Hopefully, by this time next month, I will know my site assignment and my home for the next two years. The only thing we know for certain at this point is that we will be in one of the departments (equivalent of states in the U.S., only less independent from central government) to the north of Lima. We could be on the coast, the "Sierra," or highlands of the Andes, or even in the desert! Everyone is very anxious to know.
Lately in our training classes, we have been learning about child nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding for infants. Many children throughout the world don't receive proper feeding in the first two years of their lives, resulting in stunted growth and improper development of the brain. By encouraging mothers and their families to adopt healthy, varied diets, young children will grow up healthy and stronger, as well as better equipped to break the cycles of poverty in their community. It's a slow process, but little by little health promoters are making progress in rural Peru.
Among the most interesting training sessions we've had have been in La Universidad Agrarin (Agriculture University) on Saturday mornings. We learn basics of planting, compost and general farming so we can be better prepared for the reality of our sites, where gardens, potato fields, and animal raising are important parts of life. This past Saturday, we were introduced to the University's beehives and cuy (pronounced COO-ee) pens. We got an up close view of honey-producing bees, which often provide important sources of extra income in certain regions where we will be assigned. We got to taste honey straight from the "colmena" (beehive) but I accidentally got stung! It was pretty intimidating being surrounded by bees (we had on face masks) and I put my hand on one of them by accident. We also saw the cuy pens, which in case you didn't know, are what we call guinea pigs. Though it might be hard to believe, guinea pigs are a delicacy here, and an important source of protein. One day soon, I'll probably be giving it a try . . .
This past week, we also had a holiday, which a few of us used to explore a small town 40KM from our town. The holiday was October 8, the anniversary of Peru's only naval victory in the late 19th Century against Chile. We were far from the seashore, however, opting to go to San Pedro de Casta, about 3200M above sea level, only accessible by ascending a windy dirt road for three hours in a mini bus (called a "combi" here). We went to explore some interesting rock formations outside the pueblico, but we arrived too late in the day to enjoy properly the hike, so we watched a series of horse races that ended in the central plaza of San Pedro. The town is unique (I found out later) because its population is of indigenous Aymarn descent, a culture usually found closer to Bolivia around Lake Titicaca. In the north, there are a significant number of Quechun speakers, some who speak it as their first language. Maybe you can help me . . . what are the differences between Quechua and Aymara? Are there other indigenous groups in Peru?
Well, that's about all for now. No gifts this time, though I'm thinking of setting up a photo site to share some of the pics I've taken with you all. In any case, I hope this letter arrives just as easily as the last one, and that all is well back at SA!
Hasta pronto,
Douglas M.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
December 3, 2008
Dear Matthew and St. Andrew's 6th grade,
Hola and greetings from Perú! As you know, I am devoted to writing actual letters, but I felt like I should send an email update this time so that this communication reaches you before Christmas break. I feel like it has been awhile since I have filled you in on my Peace Corps experience in Perú. I am currently in the city of Piura in the northern part of Peru, only a few hours from the border of Ecuador. Tomorrow, I will be taking a bus and two colectivo taxis to get to my new community of Potrerillo, a small group of towns numbering about 1000 inhabitants. I thought when I went to Peru that I would be living in the mountains, surrounded by fog and the Andes, but where I will be is relatively flat! The region of Piura is actually part of one of the largest deserts in South America, but my area is quite green, due to the nearby presence of a reservoir. Most of the people are farmers, and grow rice, corn, and fruits such as mangos. I am a replacement volunteer in my site: the previous volunteer worked there for two years and is now returning to the states to begin medical school. I will be picking off where she left off (she did a lot of work coordinating the construction of latrines) and also starting some projects of my own (I am looking forward to working in the local school, which here is called a colegio.) Even though a volunteer worked here for two years and did some excellent work, there is still alot to tackle!
Once again I will be living with a host family: two older parents, two children (a daughter and son) and five grandchildren. Also, we have a dog, two cats, and pigs, ducks, turkeys, chickens, and cows. I am really living out in the country! I will take pictures of my house and room when I finally get settled in, but I am lucky that I have a concrete floor and brick walls. I still need to oversee some finishing touches on my room (it needs a door, it needs spaces between the roof and the wall closed off to keep out mosquitos) but in no time it will be my new home away from home.
By the way, I have attached a few photos this time, since I know everyone is very curious about the things I am seeing. I regret that a) I am not a very good photographer and b) my Internet connections have been too slow to update many photos, but these are a few shots from Piura City and the reservoir about 15 minutes from my site. The area is very beautiful, and while it is typically quite hot, the nights are very pleasant. So what will I be doing when I get to site? My first priority is to get to know my community. We have been told numerous times that you have to gain the confianza (confidence) of the community members before starting any major project. As I said before, I want to work in the schools, but a few weeks afer I arrive, the schools get out for summer break! (Remember, I am in the southern hemisphere, and the seasons are switched around...we are nearing the end of "primavera" here.) Imagine if after Christmas you had vacations until March! This means that I will need to think quick if I want to plan a summer program for the school kids, whether it be an English club or sessions with older kids on strategies on how to make plans for their future.
These first three months will be, more than anything, a process of introductions and "getting to know you" between the community and myself. Well, it is getting late and I am tired. If I don't get the chance to write before Christmas break, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Mississippi. I will send you more updates as I figure out my place in Potrerillo!
Sincerely,
Douglas M.
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