La Aldea Infantil: Meet Nayeli

Jayde, an intern at La Aldea Infantil, introduces us to Nayeli:

This week I got to spend some time with cute little Nayeli, one of the first girls to befriend me when I first came to the Aldea. She is very friendly and sweet, and has always been patient with me when I have trouble understanding Spanish. Sometimes I tease Nayeli by calling her Dora the Explorer, while she swears she doesn’t look like her at all. Even though she is only 8 years old, Nayeli is incredibly helpful with the babies. She loves Matías and can often be seen carrying him around and making him laugh. They are very cute together! 

She is also very kind and patient with María Luisa, and joined us for coloring one morning. Nayeli lives at the Aldea with her older sister, Analy, and they are so much fun! I always look forward to lunch with those two; they crack me up.


Learn more about La Aldea Infantil by viewing past posts or reading the La Aldea Infantil page. Learn more about becoming an intern on our website. Learn more about helping children like Nayeli here.

La Aldea Infantil: Our own Carnival

Update from Lauren, an intern at La Aldea Infantil:

This week involved a lot of water. On both Wednesday and Thursday, we decided to do our own Carnival here at the Aldea. Wednesday's water day spontaneous, which made us decide to actually plan on doing one the next day. So, us interns filled up close to 4 big buckets of water balloons up and took them outside for the kids. The way this fight actually started was one of the kids who had previously stolen a balloon threw it at another kid and this started what was the biggest water balloon/water fight I have ever had. Just imagine close to 30 kids all under the age of 14 either trying to nail you with a balloon or running around with a bucket full of water, trying to dump it on your head. It was so much fun!!!

The water balloons did go relatively fast, but that didn't seem to stop the kids. They soon found other ways to carry water, whether it be in the buckets that had previously been holding water balloons, or running to their casa to get bowls and glasses they could easily fill with water and throw at people. By the end of our water fight, I'm sure that we all looked like drowned rats and there was so much water in my clothes that I could actually wring out the water. Who knew that something as simple as having a massive water fight could put such a big smile on so many kid's faces?

Learn more about La Aldea Infantil by viewing past posts or reading the La Aldea Infantil page. Learn more about becoming an intern on our website.

El Bichito: Field Trip to Cajamarca

Abigail, an intern at El Bichito, tells us about their recent field trip to Cajamarca: 

Last week we had the opportunity to take our very first fieldtrip with the kids!  We organized a trip into Cajamarca to help the kids learn more about the history of the city and the Peruvian people.  Our first stop was to a cathedral near the Plaza de Armas.  

Our guide taught us about the architectural and usage differences between that cathedral and the one across from it.  Next, we visited the Cuarto del Rescate. This is where the last Incan king, Atahualpa, had his ransom collected while he was being held captive by the Spaniards. The room is the last surviving Incan ruin in Cajamarca. 

 

Third, we visited a museum a block away.  The museum was an operating hospital until 1962.  It holds many artifacts from Cajamarca as well as areas all over Peru.  Last, we went to Santa Apolonia where we hiked up what seemed like thousands (but was probably just hundreds) of stairs to a beautiful overlook of the city.  It was an awesome experience for us and the kids to see its beauty from the top of the mountain.  While we were up there, we ate our packed lunches and enjoyed running around in the grass.

Abigail and a few of the boys resting

 Noelle and Luiz Fernando

Brittany and Alex 

Playing at the playground

We are so grateful for the opportunity we had to take these kids out to learn and have fun!  It would not have been possible without the help of many people from Eagle-Condor as well as the amazing Feliciana and Merchola here at El Bichito.

Learn more about helping these orphans by visiting our website. Learn more about El Bichito by visiting the page or viewing past posts.

La Aldea Infantil: Pool Field Trip

Lauren, an intern at La Aldea Infantil, tells us about their recent field trip:

This week, the kids ended up going on a field-trip to a pool. While there, the people who are in charge put together a bunch of games and relay races for the kids to participate in before lunch and swimming.

These games included volleyball, futball and tug-of-war (in which the girls totally dominated). The relay races here trying to get as much water from one end of the line to the other through sponges. It was so much fun to watch them run around and just have fun.

After lunch, it was time for the pool. It didn't seem to matter to them, like I've come to realize that it does in America, if they don't have swimsuits. They just jump right in and start playing away. They can be in leggings or jeans, in the long run it doesn't matter to them at all.

Learn more about helping these orphans take field trips. Read more about La Aldea Infantil by viewing past posts and viewing the Aldea Infantil page.

La Aldea Infantil: Meet Saraly

Jayde, an intern at La Aldea Infantil, introduces us to Saraly:

This week we got a new girl named Saraly. She was a little shy at first, but after a couple days was very talkative and full of questions for us. When she felt she had interviewed us enough for the time being, she picked up our broom and started cleaning with us! We weren’t sure why she was being so kind to a bunch of people she had barely met, but we were very grateful for her kindness. Saraly has only been here a short time, but already we have become friends! She is one of the sweetest girls I have met, and fits in great here at the Aldea. I have yet to see her get upset or impatient with one of the younger kids; I only ever see her with a sweet smile on her face. While we were teaching English, she wow-ed us with the many English words she already knew. I am really excited to get to know Saraly even better; she is such a sweet girl!


To learn more about how to help a child like Saraly, visit our website. Learn more about La Aldea Infantil by viewing pasts posts  and the La Aldea Infantil page.

El Bichito: Meet Marco

Update from Abigail, an intern at El Bichito:

This week has been great at El Bichito!  The kids continue to love reading every day and learning new games and activities.  We’ve introduced them to quite a few new crafts this week.  The boys will usually start a craft and not finish it while the girls stick with theirs until the end.  There is one boy, Marco, who loves art and will try any type of new craft we introduce.

Marco isn’t a typical child here at El Bichito.  He’s actually 26 years old and suffers from Polio.  To get here he has to walk down the hill 20 minutes and his walk back home is all uphill.  This is not easy for him as his legs don’t function properly and he has to use a crutch.  While many of the boys enjoy running around and doing active games, Marco stays sitting at the table for the majority of his time here.  He LOVES painting and drawing and last week we gave him his own art set.  In return, he wrote us a very sweet note and made each of us a bead bracelet.  He’s not very talkative unless you start talking to him first.  He also enjoys reading books every day although his reading level is still at an elementary school level.  Marco aspires to be a pastor at a church someday.  He is actively involved in his church here in Puylucana.  He also looks forward to learning how to use a computer.


Learn more about how you can help Marco and others like him by visiting our website. Learn more about El Bichito by viewing past posts and the El Bichito page.

La Aldea Infantil: Update on Renzo

If you have been following this blog for awhile, you might remember a baby named Renzo who lives at La Aldea Infantil. He was slow to thrive as a baby and had a hard time walking. (See the first and second posts about him.) I was so happy to get this update on how he is doing from a current intern, Lauren: 

This week I got the opportunity to bond more with a little boy named Renzo. He is about 2 years old and very very shy. When I first met him, he would not have anything to do with me and whenever I tried to play with him or pick him up, he would start crying and run away. This made me sad and I kept coming up with ways in order to bond with him.

That moment finally came this week. Every day, our mornings consist of us watching the little babies while the tia’s try and get things done in the house. This week, I made it my mission to get Renzo to let me play with him and be happy. This finally happened! Another intern and I went and got some balls for the little kids to play with. When I brought out the soccer ball, Renzo ran right up to it and started to kick it. So, naturally, I went to get it and kicked it back to him. His face light up, it was so cute to see.

Ever since this experience with Renzo, he has warmed up to me much more. He is still very shy and sometimes still won’t have anything to do with me, but I feel that in the long run, I am making progress.

***

Thanks Lauren!

To learn more about La Aldea Infantil, you can view past blog posts or view the Aldea Infantil page. Learn more about becoming an intern or how to help a child like Renzo.

La Aldea Infantil: Meet Jose

Jayde, an intern at La Aldea Infantil, introduces us to Jose:

 Jayde playing Uno with Max and Jose

Since I first came to the Aldea, Jose has been a friend to me. He is always very helpful with the younger kids. Whether he’s helping us get the kids excited about running, or making sure the little kids share, he’s always there lending a helping hand. Jose is a great example to the other kids. He is also an excellent Uno player, and always ready for another round. 

This week, he introduced us to some massive beetles, and was brave enough to let them crawl all over him! Though he did tease us a little with the beetles, he coached us all into holding them as well. I appreciate Jose’s help so much, and I’m sure the other volunteers do as well. He is a pleasure to be around and a great helper!


***


Thanks Jayde!


To learn more about La Aldea Infantil, you can view more blog posts or view La Aldea Infantil page. You can also learn more about becoming an intern or how to help a child like Jose.

El Bichito: Meet Luzelena

Abigail, an intern at El Bichito, introduces us to Luzelena:

 Luzelena and Abigail

Cristian and Luzelena

Wow!  What a crazy two weeks it has been at El Bichito!  We are loving the children and getting to know each one of them.  There are so many names to learn and a few new ones each day.  Just when I feel like I know everyone that comes a whole new family arrives!  That’s the joy of the summertime I guess. 

From day one, Luzelena has been an angel sent to help us.  She is one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met and has a contagious smile with a hint of mischief.  The very first day with the children, she and another girl wrote me a little note that I will always cherish.  It doesn’t say much, but it says enough to keep me going during the tough times.  That was the first of many thoughtful notes from her.  Luzelena enjoys doing anything we are doing and is always up to try new games with a little bit of encouragement.  She’s very much a girl and loves making bracelets, writing letters, having her hair braided and braiding our hair.  She comes to the center with her nephew, Cristian, and doesn’t let her eyes off him. Whether she’s carrying his food, reading to him, or making sure he gets a turn in every game, she’s the best aunt he could ask for.  Before leaving the center for the day. she never forgets to give each of us a kiss and say thank you.  It’s a little reminder for each of us how blessed we are and how fortunate we have been to come and help these children.  They are an inspiration to us and their “thank you’s” mean so much!!

***

Thanks Abigail!

To learn more about El Bichito, you can view more blog posts or view the El Bichito page. Learn more about becoming an intern or helping a child like Luzelena.

El Bichito: Meet Katherine

Brittany, an intern at El Bichito, introduces us to Katherine: 

 I’d like to introduce you to some of my new best friends here at El Bichito. On the left is Katherine, and on the right Ana Maria. 

Today I would really like to share with you how special I think Katherine is, and what a treasure she is to us all.  Katherine is 13 years old, and has a special love for life. The three of us have so appreciated her great help, and her willingness to be patient with our limited Spanish abilities.  She is the first one at our side when she sees us struggling with some of the other children, or when we just need an extra pair of hands.  She has an eagerness to learn and has so much fun with the crafts that we’ve been excitedly sharing with the children.  I’ve been able to work with her with making bracelets, braiding hair, painting nails, and crocheting, all of which she enjoyed almost as much as I did. I look forward to many more days working with Katherine.

Another one of my favorite things about this great girl is the love she has for her little brother, Alessandero.  Katherine is constantly making sure he is eating all his food, playing well with the other boys, and included in all the fun.  The love and dedication she shows towards her brother just melts my heart, and gives me hope.

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Thanks Brittany!

Learn more about El Bichito by viewing more blog posts and viewing the El Bichito page. Learn more about becoming an intern or donating to help children like Katherine. 

Thank You from El Bichito!

 Enjoy this video of the children at El Bichito, Peru saying "thanks"! ECH would like to thank our Northern Star friends in Canada for helping these children have such a fun holiday season and for the donation of their first refrigerator! What a wonderful addition!