Wednesday seems like a world away from what we've experienced in the last two days. Thursday morning's men's surgery rounds were normal and Emily and I were rather excited that it was our last day there since there apparently is an amazing surgeon in women's surgery who we get to shadow next week. Last week one of the other volunteers at EsSalud asked if we would like to come to her Kindergarten class, and we decided it would be this Thursday after hospital rounds. Most of the schools that we go to are in rural areas or are for children who have special needs, and the schools are usually not in the best shape, but I.E.P. Gesú Bambino school was very different. All the walls were painted with murals of Disney characters and it seemed like such a happy, safe, healthy learning environment. Then the kids came into the courtyard... their matching uniforms, big smiles, and overall excitement that us, the gringos, were at their school. We did our lesson on hand-washing and brushing teeth again, and did a fun little game/song of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." But then we were in for a surprise, they all filed on to the stage and sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" except they sang it more like "Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle Tar." Our hearts melted, and how could they not? We were in heaven when before we knew it, the teacher had them in a line and a child gave a little present and card to each of us. Just another example of us intending to give ourselves, when we find ourselves receiving so much more.
Thursday afternoon it was time for us to go to the HIV shelter. This lesson was for the kids and the moms, and was about how "Everyone is Unique." We talked about how everyone, however big or small, has something to bring to the table and went around and described ourselves in a positive adjective or talk about a talent we had. During our lunchtime siesta I was reading When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor... and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert again, and again I saw exactly what they were saying right before my very eyes. They discussed the aspects of "asset based community development" (ABCD) where instead of focusing on what the impoverished lack, you focus on the gifts that they have been blessed with and how they can utilize them to better their own situation and the situation of their community. This type of outlook results in an increase in self-esteem and for the people who actually KNOW their situation to participate actively in the process. At first having the kids and moms at the HIV shelter talk about themselves was a little awkward, but before you know others would chime in about how this person always had an amazing outlook on life, another one was the best weaver this side of Ferrocarríl, and how one child always knew the right time to provide comedic relief, it definitely was a sight to be seen.
After the lesson we gave the kids construction paper cut-outs of boys and girls so they could decorate them. I somehow found myself next to one of the mothers and we began to chat as she crocheted a scarf. At first she seemed rather shy, speaking in a meek, tone and only asking questions about me, our organization, and such. Wanting to take the spotlight off myself, I started asking her questions, questions about her crocheting, her time in Huancayo, her family and even politics. I loved hearing her talk about the recent election, the public consensus and her personal opinions about the two candidates. It was incredible to see the transformation, in just a half an hour her posture, voice, tone, everything changed from one that was self conscious and skittish to one full of confidence, poise, insight and dignity. And to think that this great metamorphosis took place just because someone asked for her opinion sincerely. One of the great nuggets of wisdom that I took away from our conversation was that if you plan to work with the poor, you need to know the poor, and not just not about them, but to know them at a personal and relational level (for Spanish speakers, necesitamos conocer el pobre).
Friday morning we were happy to sleep in to 8 am, but we knew we had a VERY busy day ahead of us. It was El Día del Campesino in Sicaya and we had prepared information about the nutrition of cuy (guinea pig), nutrition of quinoa ( a so-called super grain grown in the Andes), dangers of cooking over an open fire indoors, and information about water purification in pairs, made a pamphlet and made posters for the event. We arrived at our tent, hung up our posters and braced ourselves for what could possibly be thrown our way. We were blessed that overall, the reception of our material went really well and we went through 100 pamphlets by noon (poor Lena had to deal with a nasty, mean, older gentleman, but he was luckily in the minority of not so nice people). What we didn't realize was that this festival included a culinary competition for the best tasting dishes with quinoa and cuy, lots of traditional dances, and even a cuy "best in show" contest (including a formal wear competition... I'm not joking). Knowing that I can't turn down a cultural experience, I tried some of the food, and all in all, not bad at all (Sorry Dana and Mopsey :/)!
Tired, and all a little bit darker than when we arrived, we piled back into the van to head to El Rosario Orphanage to celebrate all the kids who had birthdays from January to June. Now, during finals first semester last year, I made a back up plan in a coffee and overworked stupor, a fictitious plan, but one nonetheless that I was going to drop out of school and join the circus. Little did I know, FIMRC would prepare me for such an endeavor. Our site director, Elena, scheduled her friend, who's a clown/performer to do a performance at the event and before we knew it we were all in funny outfits or hats ready to entertain. We were all making balloon animals (a talent I have now acquired, sorry Tim and Jillian I can't do this at your graduation parties) and dancing with the kids. By 6 pm it was time to go, and we were all absolutely exhausted. And to think, this was all in less than 48 hours...
This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
Jeremiah 22:3
Break down the system. No we just can’t let it be. I know it’s easier to look away. But tell me what’s with all the apathy? We never never wanna take our time. Standing in the checkout line. We just a shuffle shuffle shuffle our feet.
"Walk Softly" by Barefoot Truth
Have you ever lived down in the ghetto? Have you ever felt the cold wind blow? If you don't know what I mean, Won't you stand up and scream? 'Cause there's things goin' on that you don't know. "Things Goin' On" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
No se trata tanto de dar a los pobres como de hacernos pobres con ellos. Aprender de ellos y comprometerse con ellos es el camino para solucionar os problemas de toda la humanidad. A footnote from the "Latin American" Bible I bought today
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