Visiting Pumamarca and Quillahuata

             Yesterday, we went to visit the towns that Peru's Challenge works with.  The first town is Pumamarca. It is a more like a village than a town and it is 3800m above sea level. It has a dirt road and little to no shops, just houses along the side.  We went to visit the school, however because it was a holiday, none of the children were there. The school itself is quite sustainable. It serves 150 students and teaches women to create textiles. It has its own Green houses to grow food and they are trying to get bread ovens working there so that they can also make their own bread. The food feeds the children both breakfast and lunch, which are sometime the only meals they get. Since the organization started working with the community to figure out how to irrigate crops and build there own greehouses alcoholism has gone down by 80%!
It was refreshing to hear that their work is making a difference. Plus, on the way back we got to go look at the roses in one of the greenhouses that are sold at San Pedro Market in town.  They were gorgeous.
             The next town we visited, the town we are going to be working in, is called Quillahuata. Despite it being a holiday, the children were at the school because they knew we were coming. They had a 'Welcome Ceremony' where they covered us in confeti and string and said "Hello." Then, the women of the community did the same thing. I swear I am still finding confeti in my hair! This whole little ceremony and their excitement really touched me. I swear at one point, I probably could have cried. You can just tell they are so genuine and welcoming and they truly want you there.
              Today, we started on our first project for the school. They had an area that they wanted levelled out with dirt so that the kindergarten group can have a toilet. So we went with our pick-axes and shovels and spent 2 and half hours demolishing a hill before the rain started to come. There were three little boys there helping too. They are definitely mischevious and know how to work the volunteers. Two of the boys were nine and one was seven. They were definitely better at pick-axing than I was. It was funny because at first they just watched us and then they decided to help and the one boy kept carrying the wheel barrel and saying "Mas, Mas" (more, more). It was amazing how eager they were and how different their attitude was from Western society. Sylvie said that after they helped us they would go help their parents in the field!
                 At our break, I saw children carrying photos of themselves and looking so proud. They pointed it out to me that it was of them. They were so excited. This moment, along with many others in my short time here, have just pointed out how priviledged I am to have been born into Western society. How priviledged I am to be afforded the opportunity to help because I have money. How much I already know I want to continue doing something bigger than what I am at home. I think this is a feeling that will only continue to increase the longer that I am here. I am already so grateful to have had this opportunity.
                Tonight, we begin our Spanish lessons and tomorrow we start teaching the kids:) I am so excited. I am teaching English and Art and helping with Hygiene and Snacks. Then, in the time where we have nothing to teach we help with the construction. It should be an interesting day!