Life As A Volunteer In Peru

I've been working as a teacher here in Huaycan, Peru, for the organization, Light and Leadership Initiative, for almost a month now. For those of you who are curious, this post will be a sneak peek into the life of a volunteer.

HOW IT WORKS

LLI is a non profit organization situated in Huaycan, Peru, that focuses on improving the availability and quality of education of the women and children in that area. They hire interns and volunteers all year round to help with their projects for the community -- mostly education related, and volunteers are usually hired as teachers for their English, Art, Chess and PE classes.

As volunteers, we were required to pay a very minimal amount to cover food and lodging. We all basically stay in one house, dormitory style, with a cook that prepares amazing Peruvian food for lunch and dinner. Currently, there are 11 of us who live together.

MY SCHEDULE

I teach English to kids who are anywhere from 6 to 13 years old, and adults who are in their 20's. We work from Friday to Tuesday, with Wednesdays and Thursdays off. Our classrooms are located in different "Zones" in the Ate-Vitarte District of Lima. For most of them, you have to take a 20 to 25 minute combi (what they call a very overcrowded van) ride to get to. These areas are quite undeveloped and poor that they remind me of the Favelas in Brazil, or the squatters areas in Manila.

Click the photo for a larger image. Those colorful houses in the mountains? That's where a few
of them live

On some days, I have English classes in an area called, Zone Z, a place about 25 minutes away by combi. I start my commute at around 2:20 to get there by 3, and I teach 3 back to back classes with another volunteer. Our day ends at 6pm.
On busier days, I start at 10 am for PE, then 11am for English, 2pm for Art, 3:30pm for Art, and 6pm for Adult English.
Some days, I have to hike up a mini-mountain and ascend stairs with about a million steps at 9:30 am to tutor a 10 year old boy. (He is my favorite student though, so the pain is worth it. )
Basically, everyday is different. I like the diversity. :)

The combi ride usually sucks the life out of you, so it's not my favorite part of heading up to Zone Z... but what makes it *so* worth it are the sunsets that greet me on my way back. Look at this... I literally see this every single time I go home from Zone Z. Not bad... not bad at all :)

The beautiful sunsets I see as I go home...

MY STUDENTS

... are the cutest. I am particularly fond of my youngest kids in Zone Z. These little chipmunks are in some of the poorest areas in Huaycan (and Huaycan is already pretty poor to begin with), and they come to my English class with so much enthusiasm twice a week after school. Yes, most of the time they are a pain in the butt because they are so naughty, they never sit still, they're always twittering up a storm in Spanish, and it's so difficult to get them all in order. But once I do get the ball rolling, they're so much fun to teach. They're so eager and so excited to learn... They LOVE singing along to my ukulele, and at the end of class, they give me a kiss before they leave. <3

I also really like teaching my adult class, because they *do* speak English. I feel like I can actually talk and get some sense into them... and that what I teach is being absorbed 100%. They mostly need help with grammar and vocabulary and they take everything in like a sponge. These guys go to class every week because they truly want to improve their English to go far in life. I'm more used to teaching adults because of my training background, so being in class with the 20 year old's feel more natural to me.

THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

... can be a little challenging, I have to be honest. They have an English Only Policy in class to get all the students used to hearing the language... but most of these kids don't even know basic English! Zero! So getting them to follow instructions could sometimes feel like pulling teeth... Especially with the younger ones.
My Spanish, however, has greatly improved since I got here. I *can* tell them to sit down, be quiet, listen, look at me, etc... And I can understand more than I can speak, so when they tell me something, I usually understand about 80% of what they say.
All in all though since what we teach is very basic, the classes go on pretty smoothly.

LIVING IN HUAYCAN

... can take a little getting used to. Huaycan is not the safest of all areas, especially for foreigners. It's a little easier for me to blend in because like I said before, I sort of look Peruvian. But for my fellow volunteers, well... that's another story all together. They stick out like a sore thumb! 3- 4 of the girls are around 6 feet tall, a couple are blonde, one's a red head, and quite a few of them have bright blue eyes... All of these traits aren't exactly what you can call "subtle" in Huaycan. They are pretty much like celebrities over here, so it's hard to go unnoticed when we go out as a pack. We avoid certain alleys after dark, and a few of us walk with pepper sprays.

After work, if we'd like to unwind, we either walk down Ave 15 de Mayo to grab a beer at the local "Juice Place", or take a 15 minute combi ride to a nearby town to eat at a proper restaurant, or hang at a karaoke joint. Life is really simple over here, that I wear flip flops wherever we go and people couldn't care less. (I love it!)

The locals (when you don't have to dodge them) are all really kind. The parents of the kids especially are really sweet... You can see that they really appreciate what the organization does for them and for their kids, and it feels good to know you're a part of a group that makes a difference in their lives.

Living at the volunteer house is great! Honestly, I have never encountered a group of people who are as fierce and as kind as the people in this house. These guys are so smart, so accomplished, and all super capable of ruling the world... and yet they are here, working their asses off for free, to help a small community in Peru live a better life. Everyday I am in awe of them... and everyday I am grateful to have met them. :)

LIGHT AND LEADERSHIP

I'm at the tail end of my trip, and I'm so happy I ended my first year of travel with a bang. A few months ago, while volunteering/working at a hostel in Greece, I met a guest, Sophie, who has traveled through South America, and volunteered with LLI. If I hadn't met her, I never would have found out about this place... Being here feels so right... like I was always meant to come here, meet these people, and help out... Almost like I was guided here by the Universe. I will forever be grateful for having experienced everything in this organization and the people involved in it. If you are ever on the look-out for a great and rewarding volunteer opportunity, do yourself a favor and fly your sweet butt to Peru. The Light and Leadership Initiative and the wonderful people of Huaycan will be waiting for you with open arms :)

** There are many ways to help the organization out! Please check out their website here to find out more, and you can take a look at their Amazon Wish List to see what you can purchase to make the kids happy! :)

A Peruvian Birthday!

Another year older, another year wiser!

I'm so happy to be celebrating my 32nd birthday here in Peru! Gosh, who would have thought?

Those of you who have been following my blog, and most of my friends know that every year on my birthday, I aim to do "something I've never done before". Last year, I got my "pourquoi pas" tattoo - which I still love, by the way... And this year, well, when I realized I was going to be in Peru, I initially planned on being in Macchu Pichu to celebrate... but then the organization that I'm volunteering in, The Light and Leadership Initiative, needed me to help out sooner than the 25th of March, so... I thought it might be nice and fresh to count "Volunteering to teach English in Peru" as my "never done before" birthday act! To be giving back for a change! And I gotta say, it has been so wonderful so far.

Light And Leadership

Last week, I talked a little bit about the organization... Well, now that I've had more than a week of working experience here, I can now proudly and honestly say that they are an AMAZING group of people working towards a great cause, and I am SO HAPPY and LUCKY to be here!

I teach English (and PE and Art) to both kids and adults, and I gotta say I enjoy them all. I don't have a favorite... At first I wasn't too confident about teaching the little ones because my experience in teaching was mostly for adults... but after my first class, I realized that age doesn't really matter when I teach... I've almost forgotten how much fun I have in the classroom, and how good I am in reaching out to people of all ages and races. I play the ukulele and teach them songs in my class too - which is great, because LLI is flexible enough to give me that freedom. I'm back in my element, and I am having the time of my life with all these people! 

Oh - and did I tell you my Spanish teacher name? It's Miss Tierra. Tierra, in Spanish, means "Earth". No one could ever pronounce my name properly here so to make things easier for everyone, I am called "Tierra" in Spanish and Latin American countries. :)

A student, Cristina, gifted/dedicated her artwork to me <3
Tierra - that's me!!!

The Volunteers

I've said it before and I'll say it again... The group of volunteers in this house are quite possibly the best, kindest, most amazing people to ever come together under the same roof. Every single one of these people could rule the world with their skills and vibrant personalities, and they are here making a difference in Huaycan, right in the middle of nowhere Peru! I am floored and in awe everyday, working with these people. It just makes the experience that much more meaningful and rewarding... because I've only been with them for a week, and already we have become such good friends. I'm so lucky to always be surrounded by bright lights... SO LUCKY.

Double Birthday

I also happen to share my birthday with one of the fierce ladies here in LLI, Karen (she turned 23, I turned 32... PERFECTION)! And so we thought of doing a double birthday bash which involved cake, food, karaoke and some dancing! On the 25th, our actual birth date, the crew got us a Tres Leches Cake (delicious!) for a little candle blowing... We went out to dinner together, and did a little Karaoke (upon my urging).

The next day, we ventured out into Lima for an overnight trip... Lima just has more options in terms of a night life, so we hung out at the rooftop of the hostel they booked, had a really chill out pre-party over there, then headed out to a club for some dancing action...

Nose Piercing

The day after, I went and got my nose pierced. :)

It's weird... I feel like I'm regressing, sort of like Benjamin Button. Lately I've been inclined to do these random things - like get a tattoo, highlight my hair bright red, and get my nose pierced... you know, stuff that people usually do when they're younger. Mind you - these are things that I've ALWAYS wanted to do, but felt I couldn't, because the corporate world wouldn't allow me to. I was always too afraid of the consequences of looking a little radical, because it might dim my chances of being taken seriously, or getting a job. In corporate, and I suppose in a lot of other situations, perception is everything... and I didn't want to be perceived as a pierced, tattooed, and bright colored hippie.

Little by little though, as I've gone through this trip, my world has changed. I think what's really happening is that I'm finally allowing my physical body to reflect what's really inside of me... My true inner self - which is unique, creative, and colorful! :)

I love my new look! You can't really see much of the piercing because the stud that was used had to be tiny first... I'm due to change the little stud for something brighter and bigger in a couple weeks when it's fully healed. Right now it just looks like a silver blackhead... Like a silverhead, basically. But it's heart shaped and cute!

See that TINY dot on my nose? That's not a speck of dirt on your monitor.
That's actually my stud. 

Post-Birthday Thoughts

I was thinking about how - my birthday last year and getting a tattoo was a pretty good marker of when my round the world trip adventure started, because I quit my job a few days after that. And looking back at what I've seen and what I've done and who I've met since then blows my mind. I think you guys are witness to the fact that my year has been pretty incredible.

I keep thinking... Is it really possible for someone to be THIS lucky?

Then I think maybe it's not all luck. I think your world really is just a reflection of how you feel, how you think, and what you give out. My world this year has been amazing and exciting, because EVERYDAY, I feel amazing and exciting! I've always looked forward to where I was going next, what I was going to do, and who I was going to meet. Because I'm traveling, and doing what I feel like I'm meant to do, my heart is constantly just full... and it makes me happy. Plainly happy!

Another thing I noticed about myself is that lately, being grateful has become more of a habit now than something I have to remind myself to do or be. Like - it's sort of automatic for me to whisper "thank you" for anything good that happens everyday... Anytime I arrive safely in one place... or anytime I witness a beautiful sunset... or meet a new person I really connect with... or when I eat a good breakfast... or even when I hear a good song on the radio... Automatically, my mind "smiles" and says "thank you".

Being grateful has given me a better sense of being. It gives me the feeling of congruence... Like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be at this point. In all the choices that I've made lately, from choosing next destinations to hostels I've booked, or even in choosing restaurants to eat in... I feel like I'm being guided. I've learned to trust my instincts more, and it hasn't led me astray.

So I dunno... maybe good luck is only what we call beautiful things falling into place when you decide to start living the life you were meant to live. Maybe we're all meant to be lucky in this world, if we were only brave enough to pursue our own happiness. :)

For my birthday, there is really nothing else I could wish for, because I HAVE everything I need... I am the youngest 32 year old in the world, and I have never been happier than I am this past year. I am content and complete <3

So instead, I am going to use my wish on you guys... My dear friends, on my birthday, I wish for you... The courage to pursue your right to happiness... May your thoughts be clear and hearts be full, and may you all be brave enough to live your true destinies... to "get lucky" in life, as I have been fortunate enough to be.

Cheers to another INCREDIBLE year! Salud! :)

Greetings From Peru!

Photo by Robert Mooney

Hola a todos! Estoy en Peru!!!

Oh. My. God. After almost a year of traveling, I have arrived at the LAST country on my agenda. I almost can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. I don't want it to end :(

OK no. No drama. Not time for that yet.

PERU! 

Let's talk about Peru!

My main purpose for visiting this country was Machu Picchu. It's one of those things I felt like I HAD to visit. I mean, wouldn't you want to?
So... having both Machu Picchu and Carnival in mind as I was planning my South American leg, I tried to figure out what I could do and where I could stay in Peru, Brazil, and all the other countries in between.

With my godmother, Amy :)

It's lucky that my high school chemistry teacher (who also happens to be my godmother), lives in Lima. I contacted her, asked if I could crash with her while I was in Peru, and all was set!

May I just say that with what I've seen so far in the week I've been here --- I feel like I'm back in The Philippines. EVERYTHING here reminds me of my country. I even LOOK Peruvian. South America in general reminds me so much of home, but Peru out of all the countries I've visited is the most similar to The Philippines. It's great!!! I fit right in!

Oh... and one more thing.

The food is AMAAAAAZING!!! Totally underrated. Sooo good. SOOO good.

Dunno what this is called but it was SOOO good!

THE LIGHT AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

While I was traveling through Greece, I had a chance encounter with this great girl, Sophie, who upon learning that I had a teaching background and that I volunteer a lot while I travel, suggested that I apply for this organization called The Light and Leadership Initiative (LLI) in Peru. She volunteered there herself, swears by it, and said I would have the best, most rewarding experience over there. I was intrigued, so I checked it out!

LLI is a non profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of education in Huaycan, Peru, for the benefit of the women and children who reside there.

"Through workshops and classes, women are empowered to better care for themselves and their families by improving both their physical and emotional well being, as well as advancing their skills in the workforce. Children are offered similar opportunities and learn the value of education and respect for one's community."
The organization hires interns and accepts volunteers all year round, and the main task, really, is to teach the children English after school. They do tutoring as well, teach art, as well as physical education.

Teaching English to kids really appealed to me... I guess because I missed being in the classroom. I worked as a trainer for 10 years and I always enjoyed the classroom aspect of it. Plus I really believed in the organization's cause, and admired the founders for their passion for helping Huaycan. I applied for the volunteer position... and after a couple months of figuring out the schedule, it was decided that I was going to help teach English for a month, from March 17 to April 17. AND HERE I AM NOW!!!

(*Photos were taken from the LLI webpage)

I start leading a class tomorrow, so there's really not much to report about it yet... But after having been here for a few days, I can already tell I'm going to enjoy it! I am sharing a house with about 8 other volunteers and interns, and they are honestly the nicest and kindest do-gooders you'll ever meet in your life. I suppose this kind of work attracts a certain kind of people... and I'm grateful for them, because I'm staying here for a month... and it would be amazing to just be surrounded by positivity and good vibes the whole time :) I'll have more to report on this next week.

The LLI Crew :)

AYAHUASCA

One other thing that I plan to do here in Peru is the Ayahuasca Retreat.

Aya-whatta?

Ayahuasca.

It's basically a psychedelic brew of the Amazon region, known for its hallucinogenic properties. People go on Ayahuasca Retreats (Shamanism) to drink the brew in the hopes of curing their drug addiction, alcoholism or depression. People like me who do not fall under any of those categories, go for a more Spiritual purpose. It has been said that when you take the Ayahuasca brew, you undergo some sort of mind-altering/spiritual experience. Some call it "seeing God", some encounter the divinity within themselves, and some say they just see things clearly... like everything just makes sense.

I don't know exactly what I want to achieve from this... but I just feel like ever since I got to South America, I kept encountering people who bring it up in conversation... and I've NEVER heard of this before I got here. They say Peru is where it is mostly done --- and it just so happens that my last stop on this trip is Peru... So I feel like maybe the Universe is trying to give me signs. I don't believe in coincidences anymore... so this HAS to mean something, right?
I'm definitely intrigued, and I'm doing a ton of research on it. I am in the process of finding a Shaman who can perform this ritual for me --- and if you guys know anyone, please let me know! I will talk more about this in detail on a separate post. :)

Teaching English to Kids, Machu Picchu, Ayahuasca. This is definitely going to be an interesting month. ;)

Don't Pay Me: A Documentary About "Voluntouring"

In the past year, one of my writer friends published a book using me as an inspiration for one of her characters... Then in London, I inadvertently ended up as a poster child for The Color Run UK... And now, I am going to be featured in a documentary about volunteering and traveling. 

Busy year!

"Voluntouring" is a term that is being used more and more in the travel community nowadays, and it means exactly that --- Volunteering while Touring! That's actually what I'm doing via the website called, Help Exchange, where you can get free board and lodging anywhere in the world in exchange for a few hours of labor.

While I was voluntouring at The Shanti House in Italy, 3 Polish Filmmakers came to visit and film my fellow volunteers and I as we were working there.

DON'T PAY ME

Their documentary, "Don't Pay Me," is essentially about "an alternative way of living, traveling and self development without money". They traveled to 8 different places around Europe to film and document the life of a volunteer in various locations and work situations. They've gone to places like Healing Castles to Breweries to Farms, to The Shanti House -- a special and rustic B&B, situated up in the Western mountains of Italy.

BEING FILMED AT THE SHANTI

To be perfectly honest, I doubt these guys got any good footage of us actually "working" at The Shanti House. Not because we were lazy bums, but because they came at a really slow time where there were hardly any guests. There were about 5 of us working when they came, and I think all they ever saw us do was hang out, play music, drink some wine, eat pasta and cheese, and party!

With my fellow volunteers and my amazing hosts at The Shanti House

The ONE TIME they caught us "working"

Hanging out listening to live music. One of our many "down times" at The Shanti House

They did however manage to interview all of us, including the owners, Franco and Martina. They even tagged along when we had our day off in Cinque Terre! It was weird having them follow us with their cameras then... Weird in a cool way, though. It's not everyday I get my own personal paparazzi... :)

My interview footage!

Paparazzi Shot at Cinque Terre

A photo of me taking a photo in Cinque Terre

TRAVEL INSPIRATION

As I got to know the boys and their project, the more I realized that their film is actually more about inspiring people to get out there and travel...to do something outside of the norm... and to let everyone know that it is possible to live an alternative life. That life doesn't necessarily have to be what society says it should be... That you could be much happier with less. They want to advocate that you don't need a lot of money to be able to do things that you love... and that job satisfaction doesn't necessarily equate to the amount of cash you make.

I was singing along to one of the singers visiting The Shanti House. One of my favorite things about being there: The Music

It's really very similar to what I hope to achieve through this blog... which is why I think it's pretty cosmic that I ended up meeting them and getting myself featured on this documentary. "Don't Pay Me" and "Earth2Eartha" have the same cause... We both want to inspire people with the knowledge that we have, and share it with anyone who wants to listen.

THE TRAILER

Piotr and Grzegorz in action!

I met the boys and we were filmed in August. They released the trailer, and I was so pleasantly surprised to find out that I'm in it!!! Please check it out and tell me what you think. I really have high hopes for this project, and I think it has a GREAT message. Help me support my friends by liking their Facebook Page and following them on Twitter to get news and updates about the up and coming documentary.

Play the trailer above, or see the video through this link http://vimeo.com/79295959

Piotr, Ryszard and Grzegorz... Best of luck to the three of you! Buona Fortuna! Ciao! :)



(Photos by Grzegorz Hospod)

Greetings From Italia!

Ciao!

Greetings from Italia! Let me just say right off the bat that --- Oh my god, I'm so glad I'm here. I've only ever been to Venice, Florence and Pisa, and spent like - a day in each city... I knew it wasn't enough time to really experience Italy, so I've been itching to go back ever since.

Fast forward 5 years later, and here I am, back with a vengeance!

I landed yesterday morning in Genoa, which is in the North Western part of Italy. My jaw dropped when I saw the breathtaking views from my airplane window. I wish I had half a mind to take a photo, but I was too awed to move and too tired to be bothered. This is sort of what it looked like from the airport though...

Borrowed this photo from Citypictures1.com

From Genoa, I took the bus to the Brignole train station, and from Brignole, took the train to Chiavari. My Help Exchange host, Martina, picked me up from Chiavari, and drove me up to the Shanti House, which will be my home for the next 3 weeks.

From outside the house, before even entering, I heard guitar strings being masterfully played... I had no idea who it was, but I knew right then and there that I was going to like staying here.

Photo from Shantihouse.info

The Shanti House is basically a B&B that offers guests some form of escape and peace away from the big city. It's located 700m above sea level and 22km away from coastal resorts like Chiavari and Lavagna. The place is really rustic, has really great surroundings, and quite peaceful. All the guests are so at home, I had such a hard time distinguishing guests and volunteers from the owners. Everyone's just so relaxed and sort chilled out!

Photo from shantihouse.info

I met two of the other volunteers Janaca and Shanti, and I was keen to get started helping them out as well but Martina shoved some cheese, alcohol and bread in my face and said I should just relax for the day. Thank goodness for that because I really wasn't feeling very well. Tired from the journey, I think.

So I spent the day just hanging out with the guests, eating cheese and salami. My favorite bit though was jamming along with the musicians playing in the lounge area. Brilliant musicians! I could have spent all day there, honestly... I LOVE musicians. I was so glad I brought my ukulele with me.

Photo from Shantihouse.info

However, my enjoyment got cut short because I felt sick. I had a migraine and was bed ridden from 6pm onward. I get these really bad migraines every now and then which usually gets suppressed by meds. On very special occasions though, meds won't work, and I wouldn't be able to even move my head or open my eyes from the pain. And that's what happened to me yesterday which SUCKED BALLS because I couldn't even eat dinner!

What's worse is I could hear everyone downstairs yelling "BUON APPETITO" with a round of applause... AND I could smell the aroma of the beautiful food that the resident cook, Pippo, created... AND I could hear the clinking of the wine glasses they were having with dinner.

OH and they had a mini concert after that. All the musicians banded together to play and sing and I missed it. I missed ALL of it because of my stupid STUPID migraine. WAAAAH!

My fave photo of a crying child because it captures exactly how I feel

It sucks - but I wasn't too depressed. I was actually smiling the whole time I was hearing everything that was going on because I had a "glimpse" of what's in store for me for the next 3 weeks! :)

I woke up really early today. Took more meds, had a shower, and I am thankfully feeling better. It's 8am right now, and the whole household is still asleep. Apparently nothing starts here till about 10am. Haha! I really am going to like it here!

It was a rough start, but there's no where to go but up! Today is an Italian holiday - Ferragosta. I have no idea what they do or what it's about... but they said we were going to town for some fun and celebration, so... I'm outta here and I'll talk to you guys soon with more action.

CIAO!