Cooking Classes

For the past month, I have been going to my Cocina and Reposteria class at Fe y Alegria. The school is offering different types of classes for eight-weeks, such as classes for jewelry making, learning how to use computers, guitar, speech therapy, knitting and crocheting, art and my class, cooking and desserts. I missed the very first class, so the second week where I attended, I only observed being as though I didn’t have a group who had brought the ingredients for the dishes. An ex-alum of Fe y Alegria is teaching the class. She is 17 and studying to be a cocinera at an institute in Lima. For the first class we made Frito Novoandino en Salsa de Maracuya (in this case, Fried Chicken in Passion Fruit Sauce). It turned out yummy (though I can only vouch for the passion fruit sauce). We also made Pollo a la Griega con Cebollitas Griegas (Greek Chicken with Greek Baby Onions). Hmmm… Again, I can vouch for the onions. Yummy! I soon realized that probably the only non-meat dishes we will be making will be the desserts in this class. Haha. Peruvians love their meat; especially chicken. Pollerias in Lima are probably like Starbucks in Seattle; on every corner.

The third class, taught by Efrair, who runs the kiosk at the school, taught us how to make a Pye de Manzana (apple pie) and Tequenos (fried wontons filled with cheese or hot dog) with an avocado salsa. The Tequenos were nice and light, the perfect appetizer when you’re short on time. The pie was delicious. I finally found a great recipe for pie crust! The trick must be to knead the dough, and knead it some more. Everyone was laughing at me because I was the one elected to knead the dough (my fingernails being the shortest) and I kept being like “Really? With my hands?” especially after they threw an egg into the batter. Even was I was a little kid, I would cry when my hands would get dirty and want to wash them right away. But, soon enough, I started to enjoy the feeling of delving my hands into the gooey-ness.

The next class, we made the Causa Tricolor which is a popular dish in Peru. It is basically a mashed potato sandwich, the filling can be tuna fish, onions, tomatoes, peas, carrots, avocado, red peppers or any other combination you’d like. Since this one is tricolor we used the juice of spinach, beets and yellow potatoes to make beautiful colors of green, pink and yellow, all different layers and filled with avocado, mayonnaise and shredded chicken (I substituted chicken for tuna fish when I prepared later). It is a very attractive plate but takes a long time because you have to separately blend the spinach and beet in the blender and then extract the juices with a colander. On this day, we also made the famous Arroz Con Leche, a popular dessert that’s more or less like a rice pudding. Both were delicioso!

My taller is giving me a different taste of Peru, in more ways than one. Las salsas are riquisimas here; papa a la huancaina (potato, cheese, milk and aji amarillo), salsa verde (spinach, basil, cheese, and milk). In this class, we are learning foods that are a little more untraditional, a bit more specialty. The passion fruit sauce was a lovely surprise- a mix of citrusy sour and sweet tingle on your taste buds.

In the classes, everyone takes a small spoonful, tasting. When we make desserts, the cans of condensed milk are cleaned with spoons, with fingers. Mixing bowls are licked clean. It’s like kids in the kitchen when mom or dad cooks a cake or cookies and leaves quite a bit of batter in the bowl just for you. When their kids stroll in after their tallers they get passed a taste of the goodies. It’s part of what makes these neighborhoods special, the feeling of community.

Since I’ve met some of the mothers in this class, they invited me to play volleyball with them last Friday. They are greatly amused by the way I play and how I always seem to let the ball bounce once before I hit it back. Many times, I see them in the school or walking with their kids back to their houses and we strike up conversations. My favorite thing is seeing the parents with their kids; especially seeing the parents who are really involved in their child’s life, always talking with the teacher about how they did or reviewing their notebooks and seeing what they did in their classes. And it gives me even greater joy to see one of my students with both of their parents, going off to do something together on the weekend, even just going on walks together in the market.

In the places that we serve, there are a lot of single mothers, women who have gone through so much and yet are still resilient. Many of these women are in the parish, the ones who are the pillars of this community, visiting the sick, offering Healing Touch therapies twice a week in the library, and giving so much compassion and help to those who need it. I am continually impressed by the generous hearts of people who have so little themselves. This is what makes my service here stand out so much to me; to see the whole community working together to give a helping hand whenever one is in need, be it a pollada to raise funds for someone or simply paying a visit to one's house.

The Un-Official Art Teacher

I have no trouble falling asleep here; especially these past couple of weeks. Recently, I end my days exhausted from teaching classes, preparing materials, correcting spelling and grammar, and giving grades. Plus the little things that help make this house run; answering the door for questions about the parish, feeding the dogs, going to the market for groceries, being in charge of the finances, Being a teacher is hard!

For each class, it has taken me around an hour or so to look at their art and edit their stories; part of which is from some of their illegible handwriting and spelling. Then another few hours to prepare the materials for all of the classes and think of a project that we will do for the next week. At least it is giving me a glimpse of what life as a teacher is like, which is one of the reasons why I came to Peru. I am still not exactly sure what I would like to do as a career when I get back to the U.S. But I am finding that I really love working with students and the being in a 'learning environment.'


It definitely comes with its rewards. These past couple of weeks, I have been making origami with them. The first week we made tiger heads. I had them glue it on a piece of paper and then draw the tiger’s body and scenery and, later, write a story to go along with it. Some of the drawings turn out really great but the stories are what I love the best! Some of the students are definitely aspiring young writers in the making. Though almost 90% of them start out with “Habia una vez…” There was a time… But then some of them amaze you and come up with the most creative stories with terrific endings. One of the stories was about how a tiger was about to eat a rat, but the rat said he would help the tiger someday if he didn’t eat him. The tiger laughed saying, how can you help me. Right after, a hunter came, caught the tiger and tied him up. So, the rat, keeping his promise, gnawed through the rope and set the tiger free. There are some really profound morals in some of the stories, and others where the tiger is hungry so he finds food and eats it and is happy.

My idea for art classes so far is that we can make origami art, each week doing something a bit more complicated. They would glue it on a piece of paper and write a story, each week making a new origami art and story. That way, by the end of the year, they will be the authors of their own books, full of beautiful origami and stories that they can read with their families. Since some of the teachers wanted to do plants or flowers since they were studying that in their class, the second week, we made origami flowers from bright construction paper.

One of my biggest goals right now is trying to show all the students that they are artists and can create beautiful work, give them more confidence in their own abilities, both in crafts and drawing. There are a good handful of them who, right away, say they can’t draw badly, have their friends do their drawings, covering up their work with their hands the entire class time or shoving their work below the pile when they turn it in. Goal number two: getting the ones who only write one line to write more, and like it!

As time goes on, I am getting the hang of teaching art classes. Perhaps I have yet to discover, if at all, what kind of teacher I’d like to be; art, English, elementary school, high school...

A Week of Celebrating Sheila

First up was Sheila's first birthday party which we threw on Monday, August 30th. Sheila was so excited that she barely slept the night before. This celebration was so that her sister-in-law and her kids could attend since it was a national holiday of Santa Rosa. Unfortunately, five minutes before 1:00, when everyone was supposed to arrive, we received the phone call that they couldn't make it because they were sick. It was especially sad because early that day, Sheila kept telling Magda and I, "They aren't going to come. I know no one's going to come to my party." Rejections and let downs.

Luckily, Magda made frantic calls to some of the women from Pastoral and, being the caring and generous women they are, they came for the birthday lunch. Instead, we turned it into a celebration of Santa Rosa so Sheila wouldn’t feel so bad. It worked. The day turned out lovely. We ate lots, danced a little and laughed a lot.

On Thursday, we had Sheila’s real birthday party, starting with a lunch with the Sisters from the house in Las Delicias. For lunch, there was Aji de gallina, one of Sheila’s favorite dishes. At the end of the lunch, we brought out Sheila’s presents and birthday cake, and Sheila had us do the tradition of passing the candle from one person to the next until it came back to her. We chatted and then danced. Sheila absolutely loves music and loves to dance (especially Huayno, a traditional dance of people from the mountains). She can out-dance everyone with her Huayno, moving her feet to the music so fast it’s exhausting both to do and to watch. Haha.

Before long, her “aunts” and friends from the parish started arriving to join in the celebration. No one left without dancing a bit. “No cake for you if you don’t dance,” Sheila said, laughing. Most of her “aunts” and “grandmas” are actually just paisanos that lived in the same village as Sheila’s family and knew her parents; people who have long since moved to Lima, fleeing from the Sendero Luminoso, or rebel terrorist group that began in the 1980s and were largely concentrated in Ayacucho.

Many of these “tias” took Sheila in off and on over the years. But Sheila never stayed with them; she was always restless and wandering…

To our delight, more than 20 people came to join in the celebration of Sheila’s life. It was nice for her to see just how special she is. This was her very first time actually celebrating her birthday; she’s never had any parties, cakes or presents on her birthday. One of the favorite things for us was seeing Sheila acting like an adult, joining in conversations and insisting her guests eat more by serving trays of food. It was a full day of celebration; from a 1 o’clock lunch to 9 at night when the last guests left after more dancing and cleaning up.

But the celebration didn’t stop there. A couple days later, Saturday, was Sheila’s baptism. Many of her aunts came, as well as a few friends from the parish. The Baptism was really beautiful and Sheila was glowing with happiness. For the past couple of months, she has kept nagging Magda about her baptism. Since she can’t read and has a hard time learning by teacher-style lectures, Magda talked to her about Jesus and bought her a nice DVD on the life of Jesus so she could prepare for baptism. Father Jose, from the church here in Tupac, welcomed Sheila to get baptized along with the others. Finally, her wish had come true.

The baptism had a nice human touch thanks to Father Jose who preaches at the church here in Tupac. He is originally from Ireland connects well with the people here with his down-to-earth nature. Everyone attending the service kept commenting on how funny Father Jose was, using his hands to pour water onto the young people during the baptism. After Sheila got baptized with water, lit her candle, got affirmations declared by her godmother, and got anointed with oil, she was officially baptized.

Afterwards, everyone came back to our house to eat, drink and chat. The best part was that all of Sheila’s aunts could come together and see the difference in Sheila; and remember how they have a bit of responsibility in caring for her. Though she’s had a really tough life, Sheila is so lucky in the fact that she found such a generous, lovely, affectionate person like Sister Magda for a “ma”; Magda gives unconditional love, something Sheila’s never had in her life.

Finally, on Sunday, since her kids never made it to her birthday, we went to visit them in Callao, a nearly 2-hour trek with 2 kombis (small van type bus), 1 carro (small bus) and a moto (motorcycle type vehicle with a small carriage in the back) to get there. That part of Lima is a shanty town, none of the houses having running water and other amenities. It is a town surrounded by fields of vegetables.

I really enjoyed meeting her sister-in-law and her kids and especially Sheila’s kids, a boy who’s nine and a girl who’s six! They ran up right away to greet us with kisses and big smiles. At first, Jose played with his presents of stuffed animals and snuggled up close to Magda. After seeing his sister playing with it, Jose attached himself to my camera and took dozens of photos of anything and everything, while Micheli played with the musical ballerina Sheila gave her (a present from her own birthday) and sat on everyone’s laps, giving us hugs and whispering secrets to us. It was a really precious couple of hours. Marta, the sister-in-law, was really nice and hospital and sent us off with bellies full of lomo saltado with rice and a gift of leeks (which I made into a yummy leek-potato soup!)

The thing that impresses me the most is the love that Sheila has for her kids, always thinking about them; how she needs to save her money to give to them, about how their well-being is. She has a mother’s generous heart when it comes to her kids, wanting to give them even more than she can, offering her bracelet to her daughter that was a gift, thrusting a few soles into Marta’s hand for her kids. Right before we set off to their house, Sheila insisted and was set on buying a canister of milk powder full of vitamins to take to her kids. Her kids are one thing that keep her going. She’s even generous enough to give another woman, even if it is her sister-in-law, the title of “mother” to her kids. She accepts that they have two mothers now. The time that she’s had to reflect since she has been separated from her kids has given her time to think about the type of mother she wants to be. Right now, it seems that Sheila is also changing the person she is becoming. We can only hope that she keeps blossoming even more into the affectionate, humorous, compassionate person that she is.

Second Up: Huaraz, Peru

Two days back in Lima and then it was off to Huaraz with Nikhil who came to visit. It was refreshing to be back in the mountains, surrounded by greenery and fresh air again. We stayed at this lovely place called Lazy Dog Inn that is not only eco-conscious with its organic gardens, recycling and eucalyptus fireplaces but socially conscious, supporting a local school.

The Inn embraced you in its warm colors of reds, oranges and yellows; complimented by dark wooding and art and décor from all over the world. During the evenings in the main lodge, there was always a fire burning, guests lounging on plush sofas and sipping tea or wine. Nikhil and I usually breakfasted last out of everyone (though we kept trying to go earlier. Haha). Their jugos out of maracuya were my absolute favorite! And the homemade creamy soups! Yummy! Dinners were always great- more of a North American take than Peruvian- pasta with tomato or creamy mushroom sauce, fajitas, veggie and mashed potato soufflés- always with a salad from all their organic veggies; topped off with some yummy desserts like good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies and custards creams. With the cozy accommodations and excellent food, I felt truly pampered.

There were many lazy dogs around, two great big furry ones always dozing in the sun outside. There were also a handful of handsome horses, available to guests who wanted to book horseback riding. We decided to pass on horseback riding, but set out, planning to do three hikes in three days, pumped up from the beautiful settings and fresh air.
The first day in Huaraz (after resting a bit from our overnight 8-hour bus ride) Nikhil and I went for a short walk from the inn. We followed alongside a tiny creek that led us past herds of sheep, pigs cows and even bulls (that a woman was kind enough to keep a good distance from us!) Tiny houses lined the dirt path; we saw the people in their traditional dress of wide skirts and hats, colorful and varied. We asked directions from one senora, her two little girls playing outside. She was nice, engaging us in conversation as we stopped for directions. When she gestured to my camera, I asked her, “Would you like a picture?” She grinned and replied saucily, “Pay me first.” That made me laugh. They are sure used to tourists, even in this land that seemed to be far off the beaten path, most of the people there being farmers and herders.
On that first day, as soon as I reached the room to put my things down, my body realized it was pretty high up in altitude; my head began to feel light, sounds blurred together and I felt altogether mariada. As Nikhil and I went on that gentle walk, I struggled for air and felt my legs go weak. Altitude and I were definitely not best friends the first couple of days.

Needless to say, we set out for a hike the next day that Diana, owner of the inn, suggested to “acclimate” to the altitude. With our skills as city dwellers, we got lost trying to find the hike and ended up bushwalking in a deep ravine. After we climbed up the mountain, across a marshy field that soaked our shoes, and up another large hill, we found the right trail of the hike. However, as it was threatening to atardecer in the next hour or two, we decided to simply enjoy the view from atop of some rocks. We ran into a couple staying at the lodge making their way up.
The next day, we set out to tackle the Llanganuco Lake hike again, this time starting out right. First hour, going pretty strong; second hour, okay- but feeling the altitude and continuous upward slope of the mountain path- we decided to make good time and tried to walk a faster pace and take “shortcuts” – meaning crossing up rocky, steep paths. Whew! We finally got to the entrance of the National Huascaran Park entrance, just a few minutes before th family who was also staying at the lodge arrived in their SUV. We had a 15-minute break, waiting for the park ranger to collect fees and give us passes.

Back on the trail- and the trail only kept heading up and up- finally hitting a rocky road we followed until the meadows. I think I would have been perfectly content settling for just the meadows after already hiking three or four hours, gaining more altitude each minute. But Nikhil’s enthusiasm pushed us on.

The meadows were gorgeous, with a small river running all along, small waterfalls, flowers of reds and yellows just peaking out of the earth, large boulders scattered around and the sun beaming on us. As we continued on the hike, we ran into the family, having left their car at the bridge in the meadows, on their way to the same lake. We joined forces and pushed on, making our way up; on dirt roads, scrambling up mountainsides and crossing low waters. Finally, we made it to the lake. What a view! The lake was a gorgeous gem of blue on the mountaintop. I could finally smile and be enjoy this postcard picture from possibly the hardest hike I have ever done (altitude can really mess with you. Haha.) Later, our group decided to continue on to the glacier, further up. Tired but content, we forged on, over rocks and boulders. On our way there, the kids played with the tops of the lake that had frozen over, sheets of frosted crystals. After 45- minutes or so, we saw the glacier, an icy background of the lake. Exhausted, I decide3d to stay in the place we lunched, while Nikhil hiked onward to get to the glacier. It was the first time he’s seen a glacier! Later, he told me it might have been the hardest part of the hike. Lucky I decided not to do that part! My body was so tired, I curled on the rock as tight as I could (it had gotten cold up there later in the day) and closed my eyes, resting.

As we headed back, I got my second wind from lunch and the rest; I walked rapidly down the mountain, energized. Downhill felt like a breeze, especially since we had gratefully accepted the offer of the of the family to drive back to the lodge with them. So, as we walked to lower altitudes (the lake was probably about 3,500 meters), regaining our more normal breathing patterns, we got to enjo9y strolling through the meadows again; the boys kicking the soccer ball around and everyone trying to avoid stepping on cow pies and horse piles. In half an hour, we were back at the lodge, where soft beds and hot showers awaited, as well as a delicious dinner. Not a bad way to end the day.

Fiestas Patrias Vacation: Experiencing another part of Peru in two weeks

First Up: Tambogrande, Piura and a Smidge of Ecuador

It continues to amaze me how diverse Peru is, within each of its regions; different forms of dress, language, physical features and customs. The first week of my vacation I was more than ready to jump on that 15-hour bus with Sister Maria Laura and my friend, Jeny, to Piura. How exciting- my first vacation! The ride wasn’t too bad, with its semi-cama seats, snacks, drinks, meals and videos. Throw in some time for sleeping and I was set! Luck have it, Sister Marleny arranged for us to get a ride to the house in Tambogrande. From our views from the car, we got to see what makes up the majority of Piura: the chakras and produce (and lots and lots of sacks of limes!) What a lovely change from the combis, gas and overall noise of Lima.

The Sisters’ house in Tambogrande is lovely, big with a garden in the center of the house where you can lounge in a hammock to take in the sun (it’s sunny everyday!) and with a huge backyard full of pomegranate, mango and lime trees. Though life there is much different than here; most of the time I spent in the house, I never saw any of the Sisters. They are busy running around and serving the community in all the different campos. The second day there, Sister Marleny took us to visit many of the Fe y Alegria schools in the countryside’s. In the car, we bounced like Conejos on the rough, dirt roads as we made our way up the mountain, seeing a dozen or so schools- ranging from basic one-brick buildings’ to schools that taught agriculture, complimented with organic plots, a part that created fertilized dirt, a system for irrigation to use less water for plants and even barn to raise cuy (guinea pig)! It was great seeing all the different schools and even meeting some students.

The views were amazing. I think I took pictures of almost every animal that we passed. We were invited to an all natural, home cooked lunch of mote con queso de cabra (corn with goat cheese).

After, as I took pictures of all their animals, they smiled and laughed at me as I used the excuse, “I’m like a Japanese tourist.” To me, donkeys pulling carts, herds of sheep and baby goats were exotic!

I loved Tambogrande, a small town where you could view the entire city from El Mirador, left to right, north to south. And I can’t complain about it being sunny all the time. I even got to experience the señor who has taken it onto himself to play his radio and make his announcement on speakerphone at around 6 every morning. I could imagine myself serving in Tambogrande, except for the crazy hot weather. Even in winter, the sun ironed down and we were sweating! I can’t imagine how it is in its warm season!

So my highlights and major happenings of this week were:

-Seeing the Fe y Alegrias in the beautiful campo settings, as well as the river house
-Trying the Algarrobina drink- yummy! (Algarrobina is a syrup like substance made from the Black Carob tree that people put in drinks). We also saw the oldest Algarrobina tree called “El Rey” that is 100 years old!
-Being called Keiko (past President Alberto Fujimori’s daughter, who is running for president for 2011)by everyone when we went to the market in Tambogrande
-The hours and hours spent on buses (seemed like 50% of our trip)
-Going to the border town of Macara, Ecuador and simply walking across the border, without showing anything, only answering “SI” when the guards asked us if we were “paseando” and later Loja, Ecuador. Only to be told when we tried to enter back into Peru that we had entered “illegally,” the first guards laughing at us, brushing it off because we girls were simply just silly and were not doing anything shady. We had no idea because when we walked past our first day, there was no office or anything we could see to get stamped. However, the second security threatening us that we did something terrible and threatening me, putting me on the “list” for if I did anything a second time. Apparently, it would have been ok if we had just stayed in Macara instead of going to Loja. Haha.
-The way that people spoke like they were singing their words in Piura.

Check out my pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/107425425446859607474/FirstWeekOfFiestasPatriasVacation?feat=directlink

Visits to Dr. Tony's

No matter how often, or for how long you go, Dr. Tony's, Hogar San Francisco de Asis, is always such a delight! I love how it always welcomes you; complimented by delighted holas and hugs. I told them I would visit at least once a month. I made it back there four times so far (counting the quick one-hour visit). Though they reminded me I missed May. Haha. The last time I went was with Nikhil at the end of July which was really nice. I love telling people about the Hogar! It is definitely one of the most precious experiences I've had here in Peru and am so glad to be able to share it.

There are always new faces, volunteers and kids, but it always feels so nice and familiar. I love seeing the kids again, and seeing how they are improving, and changing. I have ones that I made stronger connections with and it is always fun catching up with them. Most of the older ones, especially the older girls, do a lot in the house. They are really lovely. They do a lot in the house; help the cooks in the kitchen with meals, bring food to the ones who are confined to their beds, take care of the younger kids and a great many more little things.

Though, at times, there is sad news as well. I remember talking with my roomies at the Hogar, Cristina and Rachel, about how it was amazing the amount of jokes, happiness and hope there was at Dr. Tony's, despite the many infirmities, disabilities and everyday struggles. On the first few days, when you see and meet all the kids, some of their medical conditions are easily apparent, like the severe burn victims; but after awhile, you don’t even notice it. It is simply a house full people from all over Peru, brought together to the Hogar in Chaclacayo, who smile, laugh and love together. Most importantly, there is support and acceptance, it is a place where everyone can find their niche and fit in. I am continually amazed at how awesome the Hogar is.

At first, when kids come to the Hogar, many of them part from their parents, or the guardians who bring them, in tears or close to tears. But in little time, they are completely fine and the Hogar is like their home. I think it is mostly the kids themselves who help with the new ones to adjust, since they have been through it themselves. Even the littlest ones have impressed me with their advice. I remember one little boy telling a little girl that she didn’t have to cry and miss her mom so much because ‘She had lots of mamitas here,’ a house full of them in fact. Everyone calls the two cooks, who have been at the Hogar since its conception, Irma and Clotilde, mamita. There are mothers in the kitchen, in the hall outside the rooms, in the classroom at the house; in the therapy room; there’s not a fault of mamitas. In Peru, many people are called mamita, an affectionate term here.

I remember that little girl constantly needing to be assured that I was there, always asking for me when I wasn't with her, asking where I would be sleeping at night, asking where another volunteer was, where were they going, when they would be back. Now, instead of the quick tears ready to flow and all the insecurities, that same little girl is all smiles and can fend for her own and than some, if need be. Instead of crying when I say goodbye, she gives me a big smile and tells me goodbye. It's so great to see how these kids change! And so fast! It's fun to see the development of each kid. Every time I go there are changes...

Was planning to visit the Hogar tomorrow but am stuck in the house with a cold. A bit sad since I haven't been there for awhile and told the girls I'd be visiting this Sunday. I guess I will have to save my visit for another time! In Peru you always have to be up for plans changing. I guess I've lucked out that I was never a person who had to plan every little thing; it’s important to be up for anything that comes up, be aware that things never start on time... So next tentative plan: visiting the Hogar next weekend!

Pack of Puppies!

This house can never be boring; there is always something to liven it up. One morning last week, someone left three puppies on our front door. They were newborns, not even old enough to open their eyes; squiggly, helpless, hairless little bundles, whimpering and wriggling around the box. As soon as Magda said we had a surprise in the entranceway, Sheila ran to see; delightedly picking up one of the puppies from the box. The puppy, a Boxer, was antsy and looking for food. With a bowl of milk, Sheila began dipping her finger in milk and offering it to the puppy who sucked it up, possibly eating the first meal of its life. It was such a precious moment.

Sheila begged Magda to keep them; but, sadly, we couldn't.

Sheila has this maternal tugging at her heartstrings whenever she sees a pregnant woman, baby, or baby animals. She craves to care for things. She touches the bellies of pregnant women she doesn't know, plays with babies who are perched on the backs of mothers during mass, sleeps with three dolls in her bed and cradles our dog Pucca in her arms. The generosity of her heart is enormous even though her own has been hurt so much. Whenever she sees someone begging or a very elderly person on the street, she comments on how sad it is. She knows because she has lived it.

The puppies are gone but her desire to care for things is not. Though in many ways she seems a child herself, she is most definitely a mother first; always wondering how her children are, always having this idea she must save up money to send to them. It really amazes me the generosity of people who hardly have anything themselves. Living in this community in Chorillos is really teaching me about how communities look out for each other, care for one another, and making me think of the everyday little things I can do to help.

Happy (Belated) Dia del Campesino!

(Belated) Farmer's Day!

This week in art class we celebrated this day, on June 24th, by making campesino puppets!

Peru's Markets

El Mercado

Camino hasta el Mercado
Inundation of sounds, sights, a feast for the eyes And I finally take time to take it all in;
Each vehicle with its distinct sonido
Impatient honks of cars
Continuous belling of the vendedor selling plátanos, naranjas, limones; speakers in the background, his wagon of goods attached, pausing at corners
Warning honk of motos whizzing past intersections,
Whistles, catcalls, holas
Each has its own special sound.
Vendedores wearing colorful mantels, older women in their layers of skirts, wools, bright shirts and hats
Calling out “Mamita, que vas a comprar?”
Me, pondering what to buy,
Stalls with produce plucked that morning, still covered in earth
Fruit stands like art, hues of reds, greens, purples, oranges, yellows- and shades in between
Vibrant and fresh, attracting flies
Buzzing around, people, couples strolling, busy shoppers weaving through crowds, tiny ones sucking sugar cane, eating chifles and riding plastic bikes
Senores lounging, gossiping around the market,
Vendors eating their lunches out of plastic Tupperware,
Eating fruit from their own stands; tantalizing flavors.
Scraggly dogs wander streets, scamper between legs and search through garbage spilling out of bins
Babies perch on backs of their mothers, loaded down with bags
Ansianos stoop on the sides, weathered hands grip pushcarts
Me, making my way home loaded with cheese, fruit, vegetables
And thoughts of the market.

If you want to feel like a celebrity, come to Peru

It's amazing how much Americans really stand out- and to top it off- Japanese Americans. Most people here can't wrap it around their head that I'm Japanese- but American, too. But I'm used to it. Just like I'm used to being called China or Chinita everytime I walk out of the door. However, unlike Spain, I don't generally feel like it's malicious. It's rather a nickname given out of carino, caring. Chinos refer to all people of Asian descent here. Sheila has her own unique word- she calls Japanese Japonicas (Ha-po-ni-kas, like harmonicas but with a J). Many have the nickname Chinito here (quite a few sports players), though they have no Asian in them to speak of. It's a popular nickname. They even call the fifty cent here una china. I've found it really fascinating to learn how Asian cultures are incorporated here.

I've even found the students at Fe y Alegria playing Jan-Ken-Po (a Japanese hand game of rock-paper-scissors). They even use the words Jan-Ken-Po! I can't help but always wonder how the presidency of Alberto Fujimori played a role in Peru. Whenever I talk a little bit about politics in Peru, I like to ask them what they thought of past president Fujimori, and what they think about Keiko Fujimori, his daughter, who's running for presidency in 2011. I've gotten many interesting and different answers.

Sometimes I get so much attention at Fe y Alegria it's embarrassing. I can't complain about all the greetings of kisses on the cheek and hugs that I receive from the little kids; but many times, whenever they see me walk past their classroom, they'll shout, "Miss Kimiko, La Profesora de Ingles o La China!" Then their teachers will discreetly close their doors or try to hush them down. Since I'm really the only Asian at the school, or in most of Chorrillos, I feel like a novelty. In fact, a lot of Lima I really stand out. But the thing that makes me feel the worst is when I walk in with another Professor and they all just shout "Profesora Kimiko." I don't like making the other professors feel like they are not being acknowledged! Because the teachers at Fe y Alegria are truly amazing! Every day, I am continually impressed by how they can have a classroom of 35 energetic students, many who have problems, and still be able to teach so much and maintain control! Wow! If only I could learn how to do that a little bit I would be pleased.

For me, the amount of stares and comments from not only the elementary but middle and
high schoolers that I receive in a day can be overwhelming. I'm not used to receiving all this attention; though I am so happy that they appreciate me being there. But I do think it's great that they're interested in me. I hope to be able to use this interest to meet more people and teach the community a bit about Japanese- and American- culture, and possibly try to eliminate some stereotypes along the way.

Sheila's Wish

Gracias a Dios, Sheila always returns. Last Tuesday night she left and didn’t return until Wednesday afternoon. The last time she left, she brought back with her a lot of sadness, regret and anger. She returned a bit like she had first come, her face so sad, streaks of dirt on her hands, face and clothes, tired and worn, and defeated. Sheila’s own memories assault her; hit her as hard as el senor who swung a bucket full of cement at her forehead, strike her like the police that called her a nothing, with as much force as the sticks her husband beat her with when he was mad, or drunk, or feeling mean. Being abused, in all its forms, was her life. Treated like trash by her own family and by her ex pareja, by the people she encountered on the streets, she’s been used and thrown away, again and again. She almost doesn’t know what it is like to be respected and loved; she constantly lives her life in suspicion. But every day, I see her changing, opening up and softening. She really has a good heart.

Whenever Sheila sees anything in the shape of a heart, she exclaims how pretty it is, claims it for her own. She makes and collects as many hearts as she can, claiming she does not have one herself. The Mother’s Day card I made for her full of hearts is displayed in our living room, right behind the plastic roses Magda gave her and in front of the picture Mim gave her. Sheila is loved here. If only it were that simple.

Her biggest regret is what kind of mother she was when her kids were very young. History repeats and so does physical abuse. But I never hit my kids with a stick, never with a stick, she always says. I think her wish is to become a singer, as she always tells us; but her biggest wish is to make it up to her kids for the way she treated them, to make up for the life they were forced to live. Sheila wants to get well and become a better person not only for herself but especially for her kids.

El Dia de La Madre

Peru really makes Mother's Day Special. It is not only a day of plastic roses, cheesy cards and chocolates. At Fe y Alegria, I found a wall celebrating the mother, full of writings, poems and drawings. On Friday, there was a special assembly where many of the students put on dances and a couple students sang songs to commemorate this day.

Fabiola performed the Mexican dance with some of the other students' in Professor Diana's salon.

The dances were fantastic! There were folkloric dances, dances from the mountains of the sierra, Ayacucho, Mexican dances and many others. All of the costumes had the brightest colors and many adornments of hats, scarves, flowers, belts, jewelry and even whips (which they used in a courtship dance!)

La Casa Loca

After these past two days, I can understand why Magda forgets things so easily. With so many things going on in this house, so many tasks to do and so many toques at the door and taking care of Sheila, I find myself forgetting what I was doing.

All of the Sisters of Notre Dame went for a reunion in Piura (northern Peru) this weekend and so I am the charge of the house, along with Sheila (and of course, our grand guards, Chibi and Puka).

Thus far, no grand problems have arisen; just the water running out so having to bombear late at night, slipping on doggy poo while walking to the paton where we bombear and feeling like a total klutz on Friday in general.

Other than that, Sheila is in a great mood this weekend which I am so thankful for. I have to say I had horrible fears of her running out of the house, having one of her moments where she had a breakdown or completely rebelling against me. But she has been in a beautiful mood; smiling, laughing and conversing contentedly. Cassie, a friend staying with us this weekend, Sheila and I all prepared lunch today which turned out yummy! We made quinoa (a common product they grow here) and veggies and lentils (also very common here). Sheila made rocoto molido (a hot salsa type sauce made with rocoto peppers). Spicy but tasty! Though now she claims she wont eat it because it's too spicy! So I told her, "If you don't eat it, whose going to eat it? Magda?" Of course, Sheila says, though I reminded her Magda is not a fan of spicy. Haha. It was nice, girls bonding over cooking. There's something about food that unites... We all enjoy food in this house.

Right now I have to try to get her to go to bed so she will be able to wake up early tomorrow for la misa! I might need luck with that! How wonderful Magda is for being able to take such good care of Sheila everyday, making her meals, giving her medicine, studying with her, talking with her and listening to all of her problems, and giving her so much of her time! I feel a big calling in helping to take care of Sheila. I am getting to know her a bit more everyday and she said she thinks of me as her sister which is so touching.

Weeks weaving

Art classes suit me; the need to always be moving, seeing creativity blossom in unexpected corners, always having a student poking me, tugging my shirt or saying, "Senorita Kimiko, Senorita Kimiko" to ask me a question. But I've found there's always something for me to do in art classes.

These past couples of weeks during art classes, students have been making presents for Mother's Day. The third graders created placemats, weaving a border around the edge and decorating it with hearts and flowers after. It was a big project with a lot of exasperated sighs, tangled and knotted wool, crooked lines, ripped edges and the classroom floor looking like an explosion of wool, fabric, and pieces of plastic/Styrofoam. In the end, the placemats turned out really nice; and Professor Diana dressed them up; putting them in plastic bags, along with cards the kids colored, tied with a red ribbon. What a nice treat for all the mothers!

Friday is going to be a special day with Mexican music and dances to celebrate Mother’s Day. I can’t wait to see the dances! I also have to say that it is fun living right near the Tupac Amaru Park because during many holidays they dance folkloric dances’, dressed in their colorful attire, big groups of people from the neighborhood gathering to watch and music blasting until midnight, loud enough I can easily hear it from my room. Life is always interesting here!

Fun Times in Adelante

In Adelante, the other salon I am helping out , you'll find Jose Manuel, a boy who is energetic, loud and confident; who can get excited over the story about a little bunny who says, "Te vuelvas a chicharron!" laughing with delightfully and blurting out “Te vuelvas a chicharron” throughout class; but who doesn’t get excited over learning many other things since it’s such a struggle. He roughhouses with all the others in the class, especially Geraldine, a good friend of his who is a bit of a tomboy.

When Professor Marilu is not around, both gleefully race around the room, chasing one another- Geraldine pleading to make him stop- though you can tell she is having fun. In fact, they all feed off each other’s energy and go crazy when the teacher is away, it's time to play.

Geraldine is a sweet girl, sturdy and with an open face, returning my smile with her own right away. Jose Manuel has more of a charming grin, 80% mischievous. Junior also has an elfish, winsome smile, big and delightful, with his Sierra features; tanned skin, high color in his cheekbones and wide hands that look like they are built from hard, manual work that seem to be common of many people from the Sierra (mountains). Junior is growing more attached to me, one day telling me "Esperame, esperame" and wait for him when I was about to leave. He's cute- with a charming personality- though can be mischievous and jugeton, falling all over his chair and claiming he forgot his Mimate (math book) when it is right in his backpack.


Geraldine is easily attempted to be traviesa as well and use any excuse to get up from her seat. But she is considerate, filling up a spoonful of her lunchero consisting of rice, potatoes and fried egg and giving it to Junior. Later, she complained she was too full and told Junior to eat the rest. Junior ate it so fast it made me wonder about the fact on why he is so small compared to all the others. This boy catches on quickly and seems sharp when it comes to math, eager to read out loud and also loves the story about the little bunny. He struggles when it comes to Spanish since is used to speaking Quechua.

I started working with Alexander in Professor Diana's class when I started out as an Auxiliar; so he has a special place in my heart. He had a brain tumor when he was really little; he is older than all of the kids in his grade (10 years old in 3rd grade) and severely below level since he missed so much school. Since he struggles so much he is usually unmotivated and you have to push him every minute to try. But he is a nice kid, always very respectful and quickly getting to know the other kids and fitting in. Though I am always scared he is going to roughhouse a bit too roughly with the other kids and hit his head again (which happened a few weeks ago and he was out of school for two weeks!)

Renato is a lot different from the rest; shy and bashful, answering questions with a two or three word reply, and only to say goodbye when leaving the class. Marilu says he doesn't like any physical contact, completely opposite than Jose Manuel who eats up any kind of affection and from Geraldine who always is petting my hand or my hair. Today, I literally fell over on the ground because Jose Manuel, Geraldine, Junior and Alexander catapulted into me and gave me a group hug, everything falling down and laughing. Me, trying to act like a professional assistant teacher, trying to keep my composure while lifting myself off from the ground and struggling to not laught and smile. I am still working on perfecting my "stern face" and authority with the students...

Check out More Pics of Earth Day

Link: http://picasaweb.google.com/107425425446859607474/GreenMarch?feat=directlink

A Little Bit of Everything…

Being an assistant in Professor Sarah’s Art Classes, Adelante (for students with learning disabilities) with Professor Marilu and an Auxiliar in Professor Diana’s 3C class is going well. It keeps things interesting- always moving around.

Today, as I was walking up to Fe y Alegria, I ran into many of the classes marching for Earth Day to inform people that they should live green, singing the song at the top of their voices “Cuidemos al planeta… no vamos a gastar,” energetically hoisting up their posters and banners, most which had drawings of smiling planets. I joined in their steps since Professor Diana’s class was among them. It was cute to see them enthusiastically rallying together for a cause and sharing their knowledge with the community. We walked down to the Tupac Amaru Park- which was perfect- giving me the chance to stop off at my house and grab my camera- didn't want to miss the opportunity to take some pictures of this day!

I think it’s great that they are starting off young to try to teach them environmental consciousness! I think out of necessity there is a lot less waste here. In our own house, hardly any of the water just gets wasted down the drain; we wash and rinse our dishes in plastic bins so we don’t use much water, later it’s used to water the plants, we put the water we shower with in buckets to flush the toilet and so many other things I normally never think of. Water is indeed precious here. Many times there is a shortage of water in Chorillos. Almost every day the tank gets filled from a public supply of water; yet sometimes it runs out or doesn’t get filled. Luckily, this house has an extra supply and we “bombear” if we run out of water. However, not everyone is so lucky to be able to do this here. There are so many basic needs that people lack here that I once took for granted: access to water, food and electricity.

Check out photos I just posted!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47945472@N07/

Shadows to Sunlight

*In this photo is Sheila, Sister Magda and Mim (the volunteer who was here last year). Mim baked a heart-shaped raisin bread that Sheila went ecstatic over; saying it was her heart.

The strong presence of this house and the church within the community is really incredible. They seem like a really supportive, tight-knit community and try to help as many in a variety of things as possible; from providing small jobs for people to do to earn a little extra money to having different types of therapy sessions each week. I really do get to see great work being done everyday. Everyone really cares about one another and helps out in various ways. Most here are relatively poor but they have generous hearts. I've found that a lot of times, people with the least tend to give the most which is such an incredible thing. Another unbelievable thing that has been happening is the change in Sheila each day.

“God led me to this house,” replied Sheila, our recently new live in guest when Sister Magda asked why she had decided to knock on this particular door late one night. Sister Magda told me how Sheila had come with “Una cara tan triste [a face so very sad].” She also came with hunger, lice, dirt and grime from living on the streets and tuberculosis- and an even greater need for kindness and love. Magda, with her generous heart and kind spirit, opened Tupac’s arms to Sheila. She has been Sheila’s “Mamita” figure to her, and I have been “La chinita” (now “Kimiko”) to her, who cooks food, bakes the beloved banana bread, and talks to her. Each day she becomes more confident and talkative; and her considerate nature and eagerness for learning about different things really shows.

For more than a month, Sheila had highly contagious tuberculosis. But with regular treatment, pills in the morning and at night that Magda administers, proper rest and a healthy diet, Sheila has gotten better, gained more weight and is overall much happier and communicative. Last week, we found out that she is no longer contagious but still needs to continue her treatment for the entire six months. What a blessing that she is better!

Sheila, like many people in this community, has had a tough life. At 25, she is already the mother of two, has suffered from an abusive husband; turned to selling candy, drugs, cigarettes, herself in order to survive, mental difficulties, and lived and ran away from family members houses. Her many aunts say that every time she stayed with one of them, she’d run away, leaving their doors wide open. But here, she’s stayed. And hopefully will continue to stay until her treatment is complete. “Dios es grande,” as Magda always says.

Here, Sheila seems content. Magda began teaching her how to read, write and other basic skills, such as counting money. These past few days, I have also been helping her to read. She recently learned how to read “Mama,” and “Ama [loves].” Illiteracy runs rampant here; especially among the very poor. Tuberculosis is also a huge problem; so much that free treatment for it is offered. Instead of hearing Sheila’s hacking cough and spitting phlegm, we hear her clapping and singing songs at the top of her voice; in Quechua, songs praising God and popular rock and pop songs. I always hear her shouting “Gracias Dios.” Knowing and meeting Sheila has made me realize how there is so much to be grateful for; so many things that can be done to help people here.
Each day we can see Sheila blossoming and coming into herself. Many times, she falls back into her past, the stinging memories, the pain and the trails of shadows that still follow her; she continues to repeat the most painful experience, still says she’s a “Cualquiera [a nothing],” like many people in her past called her.


Both Magda and I keep reinforcing what a good person she is, trying to stop making her think of herself as a "Cualquiera." I think it's easier for Sheila to connect with me since we are around the same age, although she told me that I look like I'm 14 or 15. Haha!Recently, she has begun confiding and talking to me, asking me for advice. Sheila recounts her past while we are eating lunch, during dinner, while I am sitting at the downstairs dining table keeping her company. All of a sudden, she begins talking about everything. But soon, we hope to help guide her away from all of these shadows and help her live in the present, look to the future; like the Founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Julie Billiart said, “To be simple is to be like a sunflower which follows all the movements of the sun and ever turns toward it.” How wonderful it would be if Sheila could always turn towards the sun and forget all of her shadows!

English Teacher to Auxiliar

Here's me with the adorable kids in Kindergarten (which has an auxiliar assistant helping me.) They got their colors down; I think they might even know them better than the older grades!



Here's a picture of one of my last classes as the official English Teacher. (The last days the teacher stayed in the class with me- which made it much better.)

Life is good here in Tupac. I am now an auxiliar (a teacher’s assistant) in the Class 3C, with Profesora Diana and I love it. I feel as if I can be much more effective in actually helping the students with their work and building more of a connection with each one of them in the class than I was at being by myself in the class as an English teacher in the class; trying to get them to obey, pay attention and listen to me for all the grades in primary. The last two weeks were really beginning to take a toll on me- and I always went to sleep with anxiety about my classes the next day; I had nightmares of kids tearing the classroom apart and everything going up in chaos (Wait, that did happen. Haha).

Helping out in 3C is really fun. It's a good age- they're old enough so that most of them have a longer attention span and they can learn material that's more challenging. Right now, I'm acting as a kind of tutor and helping them with their homework, encouraging them to keep working and chatting with them a bit.

The community here in Chorillos is really lovely. More than a few times I've had parents come up to me (not only just outside the school, but on the streets and in the market) and ask me why I wasn't teaching English anymore. They tell me how their child was talking about "La Chinita" who was the English teacher and "Muy buena." I think students are a bit dissapointed I'm not their teacher (since I'm only in one class now). But I'm really touched that they liked me enough to tell their parents about me- and that there parents are so involved in their child's education that they ask questions.

There is officially a new English teacher, Ivon, who will teach the same classes I was going to teach, Kindergarten through third grade. She is planning to enroll in university to get a certificate to teach English. Last week, she came to the house and we were chatting in English/Spanish because she wants to practice her English conversational skills. So now I have two English students, Louis Enrique and Ivon. So many people here want to learn English, it seems. I think I will just have to limit my time because it’s crazy how tired I get from speaking English for more than two hours). So hopefully I will get to help Ivon in her English classes because that would be fun too! I am also looking forward to starting some after school clubs once I settle into Fe y Alegria more- such as an English conversational one for the older students, a healthy cooking class or Creative Writing!

Link to Pics from Beach Day with the Hogar

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47945472@N07/

Little by little...

Thank goodness for Friday! Classes went so much better on Friday, thanks to Magda's wonderful advice. I started the class out making nametags - a good task since it kept most of them in their seats and busy for a time. Then, when they were done with that, I took Magda's idea and had each of them draw me a picture- of themselves inside their house, and whoever else lived in their house with them, including their pets. I was curious to see what kind of backgrounds and who my students live with. This turned out to be a perfect assignment and both of the classes got really into it with a little encouragement!

There are some lovely artists and really creative young people!

Magda was telling me how you could learn so much from drawings, and people of all ages express themselves and it comes out in their art- how they are feeling, what experiences they've had, etc. She heard from Marilou- a psychologist that comes to this house once a week to give free sessions to the community here- that sharp lines show an aggression inside the person, as well as really dark coloring. She was also telling me how hands that are drawn really boldly also show an aggression. Psychology is such an interesting thing.

I was surprised to get back some of the drawings and definitely could see there was a lot to learn about my students. There was one student who drew people with body parts separated; there was a space in between the head and the torso, the torso and the legs. Magda told me how the disconnection of body parts represented a disconnection in their lives. Some of my students only wanted to draw in grays and blacks, instead of using their colors.