Sorry for my lack of updating folks it appears the internet has all but left Contumazá.
Well as the US goes from autumn to winter the Peruvian sierra is moving from dry to wet. I’m going to call it, rainy season has arrived and early from what I’m told. We’re on day 5 in a row of rainy/cloudy weather in Cajamarca. I’ve got a glimpse of what the next few months are going to be like and it aint terribly exciting. School vacation is mid December to February and from what I hear this place becomes a ghost town. People leave town to visit family or the coast and everyone else holds up indoors.
Me: “So what do you do in winter?”
14 year old girl: “Uhhh sleep? Sometimes I draw or watch tv.”
Me: “Anything else? Do you read?”
14 year old girl: “I think I read a total of 1 hour last vacation”
Oh boy, good thing I’m starting a literacy campaign project.
In other news, this weekend I was in Cajamarca City for Camp VALOR. Every year the volunteers in Cajamarca plan 2 youth camps, VALOR for boys and ALMA for girls. Each volunteer brings a few teens down for the camp and they spend the weekend learning about various topics. Since my group is still fairly new we weren’t allowed to bring and kids but we helped out running things. I think it’s one of my favorite things that I’ve done in Peace Corps so far. The camp really offers some great opportunities to the kids. Many of these kids have never been outside of their town much less to the capital. We even took them to the movies, also a first for many, and even though I had to sit through possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen featuring Brendan Fraiser it was so worth it to see the kids enjoy it so much.
They had charlas on nutrition, self esteem, environment, and sexual health, visited the University in Cajamarca, participated in a Career Panel, and of course took part in fun activities like field games and a trip to Banos Del Inca (hot springs). The whole weekend gave me some great ideas for things I can do in my site. Plus it’s always great to be around other volunteers because you can pick their brains and get advice.
Hi Kim:
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to hear more about your literacy campaign project!
Is there a shortage of literary resources out there? (I would imagine so...) What is the feasibility of shipping books from the US to where you are? Would you say that shipping expense/logistics are the largest obstacles?
Perhaps we shall have to wait to see how your project unravels. Hopefully you won't hesitate to use me as a resource. :) You know I'd be glad to assist in any way!
Agreed. (I mentioned this to you when we g-chatted, but it got cut out I think) If you are working on promoting literacy, I bet my students would LOVE to help with the cause! We could raise money or have a book drive. They would be really into that! If that is something you are interested in, we can definitely organize it!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your updates! Besitos!
I can almost guarantee that my spanish lit kiddos would love to send letters (in spanish) to these kiddos. Next time you are on gchat we'll talk!
ReplyDeleteUpdate! Update! Update!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting impatient.
KIM! is your address up to date?!?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on my christmas card picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oontz oontz oontz oontz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You all will be hearing from me about the literacy project, dont worry!
ReplyDeleteSam- my address is current and Im sure my evangelical Peruvian family will enjoy your Christmas card