GilltheCanuck

Spent another two weeks at Finca La Florida near Columba, Guatemala. It is a cooperative farming community that produces organic coffee. We helped them re-build their fish ponds which were collapsed and leaky. So we dug them deeper and lined them with plastic to seal in the water. We also helped re-dig a trench to divert water away from the main building and the swimming pool (which was full of mud from the torrential downpours). We stayed in the main building which has had bunk beds fitted for visitors. We ate with various local families on a rotating basis (a few days at each family) so everyone got an equal chance to have the income from the program and better quality food for their kids. We went on tours of the farm to learn about the ... read more

So the volunteer portion concluded with a trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu. In Lima we had volunteered in maternity wards, schools, constructing that schoolhouse, the physiotherapy clinic, etc. To get to Machu Picchu we flew into Cusco, took a train to Aquas Calientes, and a bus up to the ruins. Wish I had the time to do the full hike up. Spent the full day at the ruins. Hiked up Machu Picchu mountain -I highly recommend it. Quite the journey though for someone not used to the altitude. Returned to Lima and the rest of the volunteers went home. I remained and went on a road trip down to Ica, Paracas, Huacachina, and Lunahuana. The Paracas Islands were interesting - took a boatride out to check out the wide range of species living there... seals, ... read more

It is kind of strange meeting a group of virtual strangers at the airport knowing you will be spending the next two weeks together. I am participating in a social justice focused experiential learning volunteer trip organized through my university. We are going with Solidarity in Action (recently renamed Solidarity Experiences Abroad), an NGO originally developed by Brock University students (and Raul) that acts in partnership with Solidaridad En Marcha in Lima. Our main trip leaders are Greg Robertson, and Raul Masseur. Greg and Raul put together volunteer trips for different types of groups with different focus. For universities they try to get several different types of volunteer placements so that students can have a variety of options to choose from. On this trip we will be focusing mainly on building a brick wall around a ... read more