On Thursday and Friday, we had our first opportunity to leave the city of Lima. We boarded our bus for a 4-hour trip north on the Pan American highway to visit Albufera del Medio Mundo, a protected wetland, and the sacred city of Caral, an ancient archaeological site.
On Friday, we took a bus trip to Cono Sur, or the southern cone, which is the name for the outlying areas of southern Lima. Economic insecurity and violence over the past half-century caused intense migration from rural areas into the outskirts of Lima and the population has soared in…
Our first week of study is well underway. Classes and lectures take place at Catedral Buen Pastor, an Anglican church in the district of Miraflores. In the mornings, students have lectures on various cultural, social, and historical topics. This week featured lectures on Peruvian history, life in marginalized sectors of…
Students enjoyed a packed two days of orientation activities. After getting some sleep, the group started out their day by taking a walk to Casa Goshen. On the way, we stopped at a casa de cambio where they learned how to change their dollars into soles (Peruvian currency). Once at…
Just a little before midnight, our 16 students arrived safely in Lima. We took the weary travelers to a hostel near our home to get some much-needed rest. In the morning, we’ll walk them to our home and begin two days of orientation. Welcome to Lima!…
At the airport Rae Ann returning from Pucallpa greets Renee returning from Cusco. Students returning from service assignments in Pucallpa, Cusco, Ayacucho, Arequipa and La Merced gathered for a welcome-back supper. Several students were able to visit host families in the afternoon.
Ayacucho, city of 33 churches, meaning in Quechua “city of death,” has been home to 7 SSTers. Five are in the central city Huamanga, and two in the outlying town of Quinua. Directors were treated to a parade of school children in traditional costumes…
Ryan, Abby, and Renee attend a wedding with Ryan’s host mother at the Mennonite church in San Jeronimo. Renee helped her host family celebrate the birthday of one-year-old Astrid. Abby’s host family have been caring for GC students since 2005.
At Naranjal neighborhood health center, Jenae weighs a patient. Alyssa holds the patient’s baby. Students assist with intake and are learning to give injections. Jenae and Alyssa help the nurse prepare the weekly statistics report. Alyssa and the…
Rae Ann shows the door of her room at Refugio de Esperanza, a school for marginalized children, where she volunteers Students enjoy breakfast in the rain forest city of Pucallpa. Pucallpa, in the Peruvian rain forest is a bustling city along…
