A Year in Peru

Today marks the day we arrived from the United States to Peru. We had a quick Peru initiation (meeting the doctors, the staff, our bosses, learning some Spanish) and then moved into our host families where we lived for 11 weeks during training. Then, we were sent to the far ends of Peru...from Arequipa to Piura. I as you know have been in Piura.

One year later, I have to say Peace Corps is everything and nothing like I expected...a cliche response. I realized that Peace Corps would be frustrating, difficult, rewarding, exciting, challenging and that was part of the draw. I didn't realize Spanish would be this difficult, projects would be so hard to start, and that people would want to party so hard with me (I don't really party too much here, but there's always the pressure in site).

I am a replacement volunteer and am supposed to work in the library which the previous volunteer started. This would be great if there was community cooperation. I open the library, check out books, clean and let the kids use the computer (S/.1.00/hour). But I'd like to expand the library, hire a librarian and bring more people/readers into the library. It's a challenge because the current space is so small and there isn't really another good space to relocate too.

I've also been working with my Youth Small Business which is a lot of fun, though the bubble oven (I don't know how to explain it, it looks like a flying saucer) keeps breaking and I'm not sure for how much longer it will last.

I'm going to be starting two new projects come this week when I'm resettled from vacations and have more than two days to spend in the 'Rumbe. I bought seeds to start a garden and we are going to start drafting a grant proposal to fund a computer lab in the Secondary School.

So a year in Peru and I can for sure say it's worth it. I'm really happy as a PC Volunteer and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!