Interviews, Plans, Meetings in PERU

Work is well underway currently and we have been busy planning, organizing, and meeting with students!

I have finally begun my interviews with the students and it is definitely a remarkable experience. The interviews are also completely in Spanish, and it is a complete thrill to conduct a full 30 minute interview in a foreign language!! The interviews are done with the intention to get to know the students more, hear their stories, their fears and hopes, challenges and triumphs...This material is very valuable because we get to know the students, we are able to let their sponsors get to know them better, but we are also able to convey their stories to the world at large. In the developed world it is so easy to get caught up in our lives, in our comfort (and hot water... which I dearly miss) and to not even realize what is going on in other parts of the world. These interviews, and these student stories, will hopefully paint the pictures of their lives, the images which many of us are unfamiliar with... and inspire us to help. The interview material will be used for projects after the fellowship, but to keep all of you in the know, I will be posting shortened and rough transcripts of each interview on the blog! It’s a little hectic right now, but I will catch up on the interview posting next week!

I had two wonderful interviews in the past week that left me smiling for hours afterwards. I can’t wait to share their stories with everybody!

Meanwhile, enjoy some of the photos below:

Lisbeth, a student I interviewed, and her brother in front of their home.

Running after buses trying to catch one to Cusco.

Hiking around the Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo.

On Sunday, we held a large Mosqoy meeting. All of the Mosqoy generations (1 through 3) were invited, as well as their parents. It was actually quite great as the meeting itself was organized by Mosqoy 1 students, Elvira and Ebhert. The intent of the Mosqoy program is to educate and create leaders in the community, so it’s always fantastic to see that the students are being proactive. We talked about the upcoming Mosqoy 1 graduation ceremony, administrative things, and addressing any questions and concerns that the parents had. It’s interesting to see to what degree the whole family is involved. This program not only gives hope to the student, but to the family as well. Everybody is involved and hopes that the promised education occurs.

Our fearless leader Ashley leading the way in a quiet afternoon hike through Ollantaytambo.

Overlooking Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins in the back.