COUNTRY: Peru
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Education
WRITTEN BY: Anna Henwood, Adelaide University
Hard to believe that the final week of teaching at Pumamarca School is complete! The past few weeks have flown by, yet when we think about all the things we have achieved and the friendships established, there is evidence of time well-spent and enjoyed.
Throughout the past week, we have had various challenges, such as an electricity blackout in the area of San Jeronimo, which meant not only eating by candlelight on Monday evening, but the absence of Wi-Fi for email and internet usage. This has been a challenge, especially for some student teachers, who have needed to research in preparation for teaching classes, and also for those who have been relying heavily on the internet to aid translation of instructions and key ideas for class.
However, with determination and courage, there have been ways to overcome the lack of Wi-Fi at the office – including finding new places around Cusco city which offer dinner or coffee and Wi-Fi. One such place is ‘The Meeting Place’, with arguably the best coffee in town!
The afternoon English classes at Pumamarca and Quilla hauta have both been well-attended, and it is especially encouraging to see members of the community continue to enjoy classes and learn new things. Last week, the focus was on learning the body parts in English, which has been great fun. Students were introduced to the game ‘battleships’, using body parts as the ‘ships’ – and this was a new concept, which surprisingly took all lesson, and was greatly enjoyed by the students and teachers!
There have been several new concepts introduced to the students at Pumamarca school this week, as postcards and letters were written by grade 5 and 6 students, in reply to letters from students at Christ the King School, in Adelaide, South Australia. The idea of addressing a letter to someone you have never met, and signing it from yourself – even the concept of what a stamp is and where it is purchased – all these new ideas were well-received by the students, and may be skills that can be drawn upon in the future. Other classes this week have included ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ in Grade 2 English, which was well received by the students who have previously learnt the days of the week, numbers 1 to 10 and various fruits and foods.
The students got involved with acting out the story of the hungry caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Many other classes have been just as engaging, and the relationships formed cross-culturally will continue to be remembered well beyond the time that the Adelaide University team is in Pumamarca.
The construction work at Pumamarca continued well, with the focus the past week on concreting a new sink for the students, near the bathroom area. Hygiene and nutrition are a big part of the recess time at Pumamarca school – as is handing out vitamins and fruit. The children wash their hands and face with soap at the sink, adding moisturising cream as protection from the harsh sun, and then collect fruit and vitamins.
On our last weekend in Peru, some decided to take a quick weekend trip to the Amazon, or to Lake Titicaca, while others have stayed in town to continue exploring, shopping, meandering, visiting favourite places and people.
One such example is Señora Rosa, a shop owner of well-made and well-priced knitted goods; her smile is infectious and she always has something kind and interesting to say. It meant a lot to her that some of our team continue to visit her (not only to purchase the softest alpaca jumpers imaginable)! Another favourite place has been the restaurant in San Blas, ‘Pachapapa’, which has been visited often this past week for Wi-Fi and coca tea.
On our last day at Pumamarca school on Wednesday, we treated the staff and students to pizza, cooked in the wood oven at the school. It was a treat for everyone and very tasty! Also, aside from the various resources brought from home, as a team from Adelaide University, we decided to donate newly-made soccer goals to the school and a bed for a sick bay area. The kind donations from friends and family have ensured that these large purchases will help the school community.
The warm and loving farewell we all received from the students and staff on our last day brought a few tears and tugs to heartstrings. We all feel like we have gained new friends and we know the memories we carry will bring smiles for many days to come. As the sign on the side of a Cusco mountain says, ‘¡Viva el Peru!’
Three from the team will continue travels throughout Peru and/or Bolivia, postponing return to Australia by around 10 days. The rest of the team will make the long journey home, via Lima and Santiago, with many treasured moments and kind faces standing strong in our hearts.
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