I’m happy to report that our last day in San Francisco, Peru ended just as eventfully as we had hoped. Much like the first day we arrived, our final day was largely highlighted by a matanza (massacre). Only this time the massacre involved an unlucky handful of chickens as opposed to a droopy-eyed cow. Of course, in areas such as San Francisco, the slaughtering of any animal is always an incredibly important event. The mothers of the 14 students in our Youth Health Promoter class took it upon themselves to come up with not only chickens but also rice, vegetables and drinks for our graduation/ farewell party – an act too generous to describe.
Our final evening unfolded in near perfect Peruvian fashion. Originally, much fuss was made about preparing a proper event to commemorate the past six months. However in the end, drinks, dancing and music overcame formalities and everyone chose to focus on the celebration as opposed to the ceremony.
Now that I finally have a chance to look back, I can appropriately weigh all that has happened. I’m proud that the group of students we taught improved their cumulative knowledge of basic health, heightened their appreciation for the natural environment, and developed new skills to lead confidently within their community. Yet despite all of the documented improvements that our group was able to demonstrate, I am most proud that in an area as isolated as San Francisco, each of our kids and their families were brave and curious enough to participate in a program in the first place. Only now can I appreciate what a radical decision that really was for each of them.
The class certificates we handed out represented the culmination of MEJOR Communities’ first ever youth health pilot program. Much can be said about the hard work we have done, not to mention our in-country coordinators and organization heads back in the States. Yet the real accomplishment has been the incredible leap of faith which the community of San Francisco undertook to allow an unknown group of volunteers into their homes.
I am encouraged that this premier venture has opened up a door between a charismatic group of Peruvians and First World opportunities. Because our great group of kids chose to not only participate but also excel, MEJOR is already preparing the next wave of volunteers and projects which are soon to arrive in San Francisco.
Latest posts by curtisfox
- Sometimes You Can't Even Give It Away - July 13th, 2011
- Hunting for Jobs in Buenos Aires - March 15th, 2010
- Making It Happen For Yourself - February 5th, 2010
- Peru: Most Romantic Place on Earth? - December 28th, 2009
- Could You Pick Up Some Milk and a Second Language While You're Out? - December 7th, 2009
- What Your Language Teacher Doesn't Want You to Know - December 3rd, 2009
- Going Into the Wild? *Almost* 10 Things You Should Take - November 23rd, 2009
- Thinking as a Nation - October 26th, 2009
- Your Friend, the Poncho Guy - October 19th, 2009
- Direct TV to Your Adobe - October 13th, 2009
