Volunteering in Trujillo

Author Key: Brian = blue, Kim = black

We have written a lot about our travels, our thoughts, and observations. The main reason we came to Peru was to volunteer and help the people (and kids) that need it the most.

Yes - Brian's right. The travels were amazing, but tons of amazing things happen every day here in Trujillo and since it feels more "normal" we don't write about it. So here we go:

The work we do is pretty basic. The directors locate an area, close to Trujillo, that seems to have the need for a "free" school. These areas are in the barrios that extend outward from the center of Trujillo, and we currently have four schools: El Milagro, Nuevo Jerusalem, Alto Trujillo, and Huanchacito. Then, a social worker or teacher walks around the town - going door to door - asking for kids who are not currently attending school. These reasons can be economic or personal, but if the family does not have the means to send their child or children to school, we sign them up. By going door to door we see the child's living conditions and also connect with the parents.

The master at this is Rosa. She strides through neighborhoods in her sunglases and gold earrings, asking everyone she sees whether they know of any kids around who aren't in school. The only thing that slows her down are the overly-protective local dogs. Seeing her in action is quite the lesson in persuasion. "No" is not an option - which makes sense because school is only from 9:00 - 12:20, the kids do not have to bring anything, and (most important) their children receive an education. The kids even get lunch! Rosa signs them up right there on the spot and then throws in a little spiel about the responsibility of the parent to make sure their child attends class. Once we have at least 10 students, we hop back on the Micro (bus) and head back - job well done. Both Kim and I have had the experience of walking through the barrios and knocking on doors with Rosa.

The classrooms are quite basic - four walls, chairs, desks or tables, and a white board. With the right teacher and a firm but loving hand, kids ranging in all ages and skill levels come together as a class. Of course we have our problems: kids can fight and push and steal and say nasty things... but it seems to function pretty well. Yes, I took a pencil away from one boy 3 days in a row, and yes, I made him cry 3 days in a row. But he keeps coming back! Tough love.

So this is an introduction to the work that we do every morning (M-F) in Trujillo. Currently Kim is teaching in Huanchacito and Brian is at El Milagro. We'll blog more about the different schools, our personal experiences, and some of the students we work with.

Here are some photos of kids from Alto Trujillo. This was the school Kim was working in before we went on our Cuzco trip.