So, here's the story:
I spent my senior year of college studying abroad. The program was something I created and had approved by my faculty at The Evergreen State College. I planned to study global business relations, specifically the tourism industry in Peru. While searching for a city with tourism was important I also wanted to volunteer, and then I found the organization Intiwawa. From there my decision was made; I was spending six months in Arequipa, Peru, and volunteering in a small town called San Isidro.
This is where I could tell you about the overwhelming love and compassion I felt during my volunteer work. However, I think knowing how daily life in San Isidro works would be more beneficial. The parents often work overwhelmingly long days making bricks. The town has no running water, which means no bathrooms. No water also means no hydration aside from bottled water and that obviously costs money. If you don't have a good visual yet, I will break it down for you. Imagine a child who has never brushed her teeth, or showered, wearing the same clothes caked in dirt, her face is cracked and blistered from the heat and her parents are gone all day. There is a high level of abuse, and schooling is not like we imagine in the states. This child, multiplied by +200, was San Isidro. Thanks to the amazing efforts of Intiwawa the area has improved, and this scenario is no longer the majority.
Over the years Intiwawa has built a school, a community center, and countless other facilities for the people of San Isidro. They now ship in water and have brought doctors in to check the children, all of which tested positive for parasites. Treatments are now in place to help in dietary and nutritional aspects of their lives. Dental programs have been implemented and the community was supplied with tooth brushes and other necessary items. I was able to volunteer while the organization made some amazing changes, and it was through my experience that I decided to teach. It took me two more years to finally get back into school and pursue my masters degree in education. I plan to return to Peru in the near future with school supplies, but also with what I have learned so far. Intiwawa has struggled with their education program because it is largely based on volunteers. When I taught classes I had no clue what was already taught, or even what the children knew. My hope is that through my education I can help the organization set up a more concrete and beneficial program.
Long story, not so short; I had an experience that changed my life. People try to say that one person cannot change the world and I disagree, which is why I went to graduate school. My dedication to making a difference and my desire to never stop learning are clear indications that teaching is where I belong.
I spent my senior year of college studying abroad. The program was something I created and had approved by my faculty at The Evergreen State College. I planned to study global business relations, specifically the tourism industry in Peru. While searching for a city with tourism was important I also wanted to volunteer, and then I found the organization Intiwawa. From there my decision was made; I was spending six months in Arequipa, Peru, and volunteering in a small town called San Isidro.
This is where I could tell you about the overwhelming love and compassion I felt during my volunteer work. However, I think knowing how daily life in San Isidro works would be more beneficial. The parents often work overwhelmingly long days making bricks. The town has no running water, which means no bathrooms. No water also means no hydration aside from bottled water and that obviously costs money. If you don't have a good visual yet, I will break it down for you. Imagine a child who has never brushed her teeth, or showered, wearing the same clothes caked in dirt, her face is cracked and blistered from the heat and her parents are gone all day. There is a high level of abuse, and schooling is not like we imagine in the states. This child, multiplied by +200, was San Isidro. Thanks to the amazing efforts of Intiwawa the area has improved, and this scenario is no longer the majority.
Over the years Intiwawa has built a school, a community center, and countless other facilities for the people of San Isidro. They now ship in water and have brought doctors in to check the children, all of which tested positive for parasites. Treatments are now in place to help in dietary and nutritional aspects of their lives. Dental programs have been implemented and the community was supplied with tooth brushes and other necessary items. I was able to volunteer while the organization made some amazing changes, and it was through my experience that I decided to teach. It took me two more years to finally get back into school and pursue my masters degree in education. I plan to return to Peru in the near future with school supplies, but also with what I have learned so far. Intiwawa has struggled with their education program because it is largely based on volunteers. When I taught classes I had no clue what was already taught, or even what the children knew. My hope is that through my education I can help the organization set up a more concrete and beneficial program.
Long story, not so short; I had an experience that changed my life. People try to say that one person cannot change the world and I disagree, which is why I went to graduate school. My dedication to making a difference and my desire to never stop learning are clear indications that teaching is where I belong.