Monday, March 17, 2014

"I'll make a man out of you"

Dear family and friends,
 
The volunteers of La Libertad in coordination with many local agencies in the community will be putting on a three and a half day camp for a total of 60 adolescent boys from our towns across the region, from rural, semi-rural, and urban communities. Our focus will be promoting the "well-rounded IRONMAN"- through activities in vocational orientation, future planning, volunteerism and gender equality (fighting the ever-dominant machismo). So, in order to achieve our goal we need to raise money, about $2,400 in the next month.  A little goes a long way here in Peru! Read more about our project and to donate follow the link below.
Here in Peru, sleepovers are not a thing and Peruvian teens in our region have very few opportunities to attend overnight camps.  Camp VALOR is a valuable opportunity for both young leaders and boys-at-risk to learn and be inspired by each other, and have a safe space to talk honestly about relationships, health, and other topics with their peers and Peace Corps Volunteers.  The boys will take vocational exams and learn from exemplary young male professionals about different careers, they will visit university in the department’s capital, learn the importance of volunteerism and giving back to their communities. They will also learn about gender equality (fighting the ever dominate machismo mindset) and respect for others with disabilities or differences. Keep in mind this is all benefitting boys from communities that often don't have the human or financial resources to offer these kinds of high-quality trainings.
As with all of our projects, a significant portion of the budget (50%) is coming from local community contributions and donated support.  All donations made through this link are secure through the Peace Corps website and tax-deductible.

Thanks for all of your support!
Cheyenne

LEARN MORE HERE: CAMP VALOR: IRONMAN
 
 

Monday, March 10, 2014

9 months due / WOMEN!

They tell us in training that we should celebrate the small things, including "benchmark days" such as 30 days in site, 30 days in Peru, 6 months in site, 6 months in Peru, 1 year in site/Peru, etc. etc. So, March 6th marked my 9 month in Peru. Peace Corps service is a big committment, so much so that being here almost 9 months, I feel that I am at full-term with this "baby." It is a responsiblity that everyday, I have carried (and still do). This is a 24/7 job because when I'm not "in the office" teaching class or writing a report, I am always representing my country. So, don't mind the aukward 9-month reference, but Peace Corps, my job, is an every-day, in-it-to-win-it type of situation. Speaking of 9-months and babies, I have a new cousin Piper that was born about 2 weeks ago and a friend of mine just had her baby as well. CONGRATS!!

March 8th was International Women's Day. On the 7th, we celebrated with a ceremony in the Plaza de Armas, a parade around the Plaza, a speech from the mayor, and free lunch for those in attendance (over 2,000). The week before, we also had inspirational talks from different members of the commnunity, a radio show (in which I participated!), free health clinic for women at the hospital, and educational sessions on gender vs. sex, women's rights, and other topics.
 
The mayor, the governer, me, and the military doctor.


Dancing Huayno (tradtional Sierran dance)


How about dancing infront of 2,000+ women
a dance I've never attempted? And is kinda tricky!

January and February, 2014: Summer School!

 
January came and I started Vacaciones Utiles (literally translates to "Useful Vacaciones," but it's simply "Summer School"). Unlike in the states, summer school isn't for students who have failed a grade or need remedial help.... it's a chance for them to get prepared for the next grade and also to relax and learn something interesting.
 
Vacaciones Utiles is also the first opportunity for a volunteer (who just finished three months in site, like me) to put that Community Diagnostic (that document that covers everything about your site from culture to child labor that you spend your first 3 months putting together, in Spanish) to work. From my investigations, I realized that the youth of Huamahcuco lack creative thinking and critical thinking skills. As a result, I formed a class of 15 students that focused on Arts and Crafts with Recycled products. (Littering/throwing trash on the ground is a huge issue in Huamachuco as well). The students had to critically think about the every-day household products we were using and what we could make new with them.
 
Here, Annabel has folded/doubled old magazine pages into a reed/stick. She then rolled  the reed into a circle, developing base the size of a drink coaster, in which she will later start forming the sides/walls of a basket or small bowl.
 

Here, Edith has cut a toliet paper carton into circle strips. She is painting them and forming them together with glue to make a flower. The girls made many variations in colors in sizes and they really turned out great.

 
Bryan is making a picture frame from rolled tubes made from recycled newspaper (you can also do this with recycled magazines). He glued them onto a cardboard box we cut to his liking and then cut a hole in the middle for a picture. He painted them to give it design, and added a string to the back so he can hang it.



The "boys" explaining their crafts to passerbys. 

 
My students showing off their projects. (It's normal for Peruvians not to smile in photos.)
 

 
A sampling of our crafts from the class. We made cards that listed the materials so passerbys could marvel at how easy it is to replicate: (CLOCKWISE, starting at cans, top left) Lanterns from milk cans, bowls from coiled recycled magazines, decorative flowers, picture frames from tubes of recycled magazines/newspapers, baskets made from weaving recycled paper/magazines, and decorative flowers (different design) from toliet paper cartons.

 
Team picture after the exposition!