Chocolatadas are a very popular tradition here in Peru. They are essentially Christmas parties, which range in extravagance: from a simple end-of-term school prize giving ceremony where chocolatadas (hot chocolate) and panetón (a traditional Christmas fruitcake) is provided, to full-on parties f[...]
Archive for the ‘In the Field’ Category
‘Tis the season to be… Giving
Thinking on the best ways to give and donate in this season of generosity, I wanted to follow on from Amanda’s final comments in her post about her observations in Honduras, with particular reference to this point: ‘…it is almost always better to donate money rather than objects. Shipping [...]
November 16th, 2011 - 6:00 am § in Argentina, In the Field, Looking for Opportunity, Nonprofit Spotlight, Volunteer
Un Techo Para Mi Pais- More than Just a Roof
Since arriving in Argentina earlier this year I’ve been working Un Techo Para Mi Pais, an exemplary organization that works within nineteen countries in South America. Their youth-based, horizontally structured, local leadership and volunteer base works to help families in extreme poverty develop[...]
Movember in Quito
Living abroad for me is a constant balance between trying to learn the language and fit into the Latin culture, while simultaneously keeping some American customs and cultural practices. I enjoy trying to blend in to the fabric of Quito. Obviously, I physically stand out as a foreigner, but I a[...]
Earthquake! (and Disaster Mitigation through Microfinance)
Last Friday morning my post on the official Kiva Fellows Blog mentioned the devastation of the 2007 Peruvian Earthquake in Ica, Peru and the surrounding areas. At 2 PM local time later that day, another earthquake shook the city. Kiva Fellow David Connelly, my predecessor here at Kiva Partner Caja[...]
November 4th, 2011 - 8:00 am § in Argentina, Around Town, Culture, Event, In the Field, Uncategorized
Mathapi Apthapi Tinku: Coming Together
The community of sikuris in Buenos Aires is, to say the very least, unique. We are our own little world. Though the community has surely always existed, many consider 1992 (the 500 year anniversary of Columbus) a marking point in its history. Over the past two decades it has been growing stea[...]
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Part II
Panama’s sidewalks leave a lot to be desired. For one, they rarely exist – at least in my tumbledown municipality. And when they do, it is not advisable to trust them. Manholes are left uncovered, grates yawn with serrated edges, and all sorts of other ankle-breaking traps exist for the unsuspec[...]
“Y como, y como, y como es la wea? Aca estudiamos gratis en Chile hay que pagar!”
“Y como, y como, y como es la wea? Aca estudiamos gratias en Chile hay que pagar!” ~ Chant of Chilean students exiled by education in Argentina Surely by now most have heard about the massive student protests going on in Chile demanding free, public and secular education for all students[...]
