The following is a post from Angela, who volunteered at La Aldea Infantil this summer:
August 29
Oh my goodness, I left Aldea exactly one week ago. I got home from Peru on Friday. Since then I have had so many different
thoughts run through my head. Certainly,
I have returned to America, mi pais, with a changed heart. I was only in Peru for a short time, barely a
month and a half, but the lessons I learned will stay with me forever. In all, Peru was amazing! The scenery is beautiful, the culture and
history rich, the people personable and hard working. I quickly became enchanted with the world
around me. Every day I became more and
more intrigued, as well as impressed, with the lifestyles of the Peruanas. Certainly, the most dominant characteristic I
observed is that the people are willingly
friendly with everyone. From my
observations, people matter to those in Peru, and I certainly felt my heart
open to that concept. I had so much fun
striking up a conversation, working alongside, and learning from my new friends
in Peru. One of the first lessons las
Peruanas taught me is: People matter.
They are the most important part of life and one must work hard to
maintain a friendly, happy relationship with all of our neighbors.
In Iquitos, the lush and beautiful Amazon, I learned how
important it is to put other’s needs before my own. I had the opportunity to work alongside
personas muy buena con corazones muy grande.
Yes, I did work with 29 amazing, selfless gringos. But the people I was most impressed with were
the 15 or so Peruanas in charge of the service projects. These people were humble enough to step out
of their own busy and difficult lives and notice others, their own neighbors, were
in need of their help. They sacrificed
not only their meager resources, but also their time—a very precious and
expensive commodity. I was honored to
add my own simple hand to the efforts of the Peruvians in the service group
“Las Aguilas” from a LDS Stake in Iquitos.
I seriously completed some of the most rewarding work with my new
friends in Iquitos. They taught me so much
about putting my God and my neighbors before myself, and doing so happily and
willingly. Everyday my heart was touched
and softened a little more.
And then I got to la Aldea Infantíl, a government funded
orphanage in Santa Rosa, Simbal a city district near Trujillo. It was here that I fully came to love las
Peruanas. On my first day at the
orphanage I felt like I would never learn the all of the children’s names let
alone become someone they could feel support from. Luckily, I was very wrong. I quickly fell into the daily life at
Aldea—there are 64 children and twenty or so adult employees. I came to love and respect each employee (los
tios) and came to deeply care for each one of children (los niños) individually. Over the month that I was there I
participated in several activities (a running race, drawing contest, dance
lessons, ect.), field trips (including a tour of the ancient ruins of the Chimu
tribe, Chan Chan and a trip a la cine, etc.), and even a two day Anniversary
Celebration with the orphans. While the
activities were exciting and enjoyable, my most treasured moments were when I
was simply a friend to los niños. We
played together, took strolls arm in arm, raked leaves together, even talked
while watching the stars (to only mention a few). Every moment I spent with a child,
particularly one on one, was special and unique to that child and myself. I feel I was able to learn the personalities
and different qualities in most, if not all, of the children. Love and support developed on both
sides.
Aldea-los niños y los tios—taught me love. These children are lacking so much—not only
in physical and temporal conditions, but more significantly emotionally. They
simply do not have a strong foundation to lean on or draw strength from. They lack the comfort gained from a constant,
caring parent. They do not have a mother
or father by their side to teach and build them up. Los tios constantly sacrificed to try to
create a foundation of love. And I was indeed
humbled to have the opportunity to give a little of my own love and as well as
the Lords love to these struggling children.
I was always in awe to witness
the simple acts of love and sacrifice in the management of Aldea. The orpanage was conducted through the love
of God. The people, los tios y los
niños, taught me the importance of love and how to open my heart to those in
need. I am so grateful for every moment
I had in Peru. I undoubtedly believe the
good done was for me. My Peruvian
friends served me as I lived among them this summer. I will forever keep a part of my heart in
Peru—stuck with my friends in Iquitos and con mis hijos y amigos in Aldea.
Muchas gracias al Dios, Ealge-Condor, y las personas del
Peru por un verano muy significa en mi vida!
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