On Saturday morning, we left for Kawai, a retreat center about two hours south of Lima. We had time to share our stories, reflect on what we have experienced, and to prepare for our return home. Students also presented their interview-based research projects that they completed on service. We heard about adoption in Perú, creativity vs. tradition in Afro-Andean music, the experience of the Ashaninka during the Terror Times, women in the workplace, special education in Perú, and many other topics. In between the presentations and group sessions, we still had plenty of time for swimming, walking on the beach, singing, playing cards and enjoying our last days together as a group. Perú really put on the charm for our last weekend together, with lots of sun, a cooling ocean breeze, and clear skies.
On Monday afternoon we returned to Lima, repacked our suitcases yet again, ate pollos a la brasa one last time, and then headed for the airport. The return flight left Lima at 11:10 p.m., and by 2:30 this afternoon, the group was back in Goshen. As the Spring 2019 unit ends, we want to thank each of you for journeying with us as we learned more about ourselves, each other and our place in the world through our time spent in the amazing country of Peru.
Talia journals with a smile on her face. Luke gives us insight into agricultural practices in Chincha province. Tessa talks us through the process of coffee production. Mariane demonstrates the proper way to give an injection.Harrison sings a traditional Ashaninka song he learned as part of his final project. Dillon talks about ceramic production in the town of Quinua. Lydia reads an article about Ecotourism in the famous periodical The SSTar.Pamela reports on the challenges of public education in Peru. Talia’s presentation about fruits of the Peruvian selva included a fruit tasting. Nick talks about the state of technology in Peru. Ian performs an original rap about Peruvian desserts. Greta shows a painting she made of houses near her service location which were abandoned as families fled the violence in the region in the 80s and 90s. The group eagerly reconvenes for another session.Simon revisits his original goals for SST. The Ayacucho group prepares their skit about cultural competence. Lydia takes a mototaxi ride into La Merced while host mother Pamela looks on. Simon and Luke watch yet another beautiful sunset in Chincha. Sunset is portrayed by Nick and a roll of toilet paper. Dillon and Greta resist obnoxious taxi driver Ian, and opt for reasonable taxi driver, Makena. Tessa rises to the challenge of teaching her host family how to play Dutch Blitz. The Arequipa group dramatizes Mariane’s first days in her clinic. Tessa and Clara do some oceanside journaling. Rachel, Nick, Aidan and Luke take their feet for a swim. Ian strums a tune. We pose for one last complete group photo before Rachel has to leave us. It gets a little silly. Rachel waves goodbye to the group one last time before her early departure to the U.S. Nick, Luke, Aidan, Dillon and Talia and Clara can’t wait for more processing.Many Casino cookies are consumed.Luke and Tessa prepare their list. Erin, Greta, Pamela and Harrison present their list of things they want to leave behind, and things they hope to take with them. Students indulge Celia’s request to sing some Beatles’ songs around the fire. The campfire was made complete with a sweet ending — S’mores.Mariane, Manisha, Harrison and Simon are ready to talk about reverse culture shock. Aidan and Pamela do some reading about returning home after living abroad. Manisha and Pamela list the job skills they’ve gained through their SST experience. Makena and Greta show their list of marketable SST skills. Pamela, Erin, Lydia and Tessa are ready for what’s next. Talia and Dillon enjoy the sunset.Having so much fun wears Lydia, Pamela and Mariane right out.
