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Published: August 15th 2005
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Hola! I made it safe and sound! The flight was long, but well worth it! Ayacucho is like no place I have ever seen. I imagine it is a lot like Mexico but smaller. It is very dusty. The roads are paved, but extremely bumpy with holes in them the size of cars. The buildings that line the streets are like brick skeletons and sometime only have a curtain for a door. The people are freindly and very curious about us. We are the only white people around. The children yell for the ¨gringas¨and laugh when we ask them questions in Spanish. Speaking of children, I am in love with them! They are so thirsy for our attention and love to have their pictures taken. So I will have a lot of photos of kids when I return! Yesterday, after being up for 36 hours we got to relax. So today, we went to explore some of the volunteer job sites. It was amazing to see the conditions that these people live in, but at the same time you are so impressed with their efforts to improve their way of life. We visited a school, and the children attacked us! When
School in Ayacucho
As you can see, these children only have the bare essentials. I say school, I mean a two room shack with dirt floors, and open windows. No heat, air or running water. I wish kids in the states could see this next time they complain about new clothes and school supplies. In fact, I will think twice next time I am feeling deprived! When we left, the children chased our van yelling, adios. It was heart-breaking and flattering all at once. We also went to a soup kitchen that provides meals to the children in the community. This is a place that would be shut down by the health department in the States, but is a staple for people here. The wonderful thing is, the women who cook there all day were volunteers. They work mainly to help out and so their children can benefit from the meals. Tomorrow I will see my job placement. I am very excited, and if the bebes and ninos are anything like the ones we met today, I don´t know if I will be able to leave them! There is so much to say about this place, but I will leave some for next time. My health is good, other than a little congestion from
Soup Kitchen
These women cook meals for hundreds of children every week. all the dust. I certainly notice the altitude, but it not making me ill, just a little shakey and out of breath. The other volunteers are from all over the map and we are having a good time getting to know easc other. I´m sorry this was written very quickly and I am horrible at spelling. Please read for content. I miss all of you at home and I can´t wait to share all my pictures and stories! Thanks for the comments, and please continue to send good thoughts!
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Ian
non-member comment
I'm proud of you!
Stacy, I'm so glad that this is already a good experience for you, I knew it would be. I love you and miss you. I almost called your office at lunch today to talk to you, then I remembered. Lucy says "Hurry home!", and Sneaky says "Hasta Luego, Senorita!". I'm glad the kids like you and you like them, just remember, you can't bring them home with you (just kidding!). I love you very much. Ian