Adios Cusco! Gap students finish three month placement in Peru

After three life-changing months, our time in Cusco has sadly come to an end. This week we held our last lessons at Corao, enjoyed last meals with our gracious host families and absorbed our final visits to the beautiful Cusco city, for now. Our construction projects are finished and essential items have been delivered to families in need, on our house visits.

As we finished our lessons at Corao on Thursday, Friday was dedicated to a fun day with the kids and their parents, the teachers and workmen at Corao. Stall tables were set up with face painting, macaroni necklace making, finger painting and the very popular egg toss. With eggshells scattered around the grassy school grounds all that could be heard were shrieks of pure joy from the children, soaking up their last moments with the volunteers.

We used our fundraising money to order chicken, chips and salad for the entire school community, and in return we were treated to home grown trout. Our tree mural was completed, with handprints of every student forming the coloured leaves; a beautiful memento to leave with the grateful school. Dressed and accessorised in our gifts from the students and parents we enjoyed a farewell show, each class singing a song, playing a game with the volunteers or even pulling us up for a dance. It was a beautiful, poignant moment to see the children so happy, but at the same time so upset to see us go. As we finally left Corao we were all satisfied with our improvements to the school and our impact upon the children’s lives.

Aside from saying goodbye to Corao we spent our last week taking in Cusco city, our home for the past three months. Time spent in cafes, last minute shopping, sending Christmas presents home and just enjoying each others company. A few brave volunteers took the bungee jumping challenge at Action Valley, with hilarious videos to prove it. Some took their host families out for dinner and presented them with home made gifts from Australia.

A bittersweet end wraps up the incredible three months we have spent in this city so different to our hometowns. As we all go our separate ways from here it will surely be a little strange to leave our homes for good. To not return after a weekend trip or hike will be a comfort sorely missed. Now for those back home it’s not long until we all return to Australia, eager to share our stories from our placement. With our construction complete, another big thankyou to those who donated; the joy it has given the Corao community is priceless.

Are you interested in volunteering in Peru? What about teaching English overseas? Find out more at www.antipodeans.com.au