Today I am headed to my site 1.5 hours outside of beautiful Cajamarca City. I leave a mind full of worries and wonders, but a heart overflowing with faith and confidence...
the words from Deuteronomy ring crisp and clear...
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 31:6
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Graduation!
Tomorrow is the day that my official title evolves from a Aspirante... to a Volunteer!
This week has been pretty relaxed. We have just been wrapping up our medical, technical and language sessions and setting our eyes on the big move to our sites. In a few hours our host families will arrive at the training center for our Host Family Celebration... were going to have a bit of fun and eat some major cake...
Most volunteers plan on using the rest of the day to pack their things (which seems like a nearly impossible task) and we will head over to our buddy Ryans to have a little going away celebration.
Tomorrow, after graduation, we head to Lima where we will have one last night together as Peru 11 before we head to our cites for GOOD. Ill be traveling to Cajamarca on Sat. and will arrive at my final site on Sun. or Mon. We are finally getting equiped with our own cell phones tomorrow! Ill be sure to get it to those of you who want to give me a hollar! Also... I dont have my new mailing address just yet, but once I get a P.O. box settled, Ill send it your way!
Much love to you all! thanks for coming along on my trip! See you in Cajamarca
James
This week has been pretty relaxed. We have just been wrapping up our medical, technical and language sessions and setting our eyes on the big move to our sites. In a few hours our host families will arrive at the training center for our Host Family Celebration... were going to have a bit of fun and eat some major cake...
Most volunteers plan on using the rest of the day to pack their things (which seems like a nearly impossible task) and we will head over to our buddy Ryans to have a little going away celebration.
Tomorrow, after graduation, we head to Lima where we will have one last night together as Peru 11 before we head to our cites for GOOD. Ill be traveling to Cajamarca on Sat. and will arrive at my final site on Sun. or Mon. We are finally getting equiped with our own cell phones tomorrow! Ill be sure to get it to those of you who want to give me a hollar! Also... I dont have my new mailing address just yet, but once I get a P.O. box settled, Ill send it your way!
Much love to you all! thanks for coming along on my trip! See you in Cajamarca
James
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
site vizit
This week at the training center has been interesting. Upon returning from site visits many volunteers have shown extreme excitement about their future sites, while others are more apprehensive and not quite ready to leave the "comfortalbe" confines of Lima, Peru.
I find myself right in the middle, sometimes bursting with excitement to get out and see what Peace Corps is really all about, and fearing that I'm not quite ready for the sierra campo life. Honestly it has been a bit of an emotional rollorcoaster for alot of poeple, myslef included.
Our three months here in Lima have been planned and structured to the max... sometimes its been hard to even get a day to ourselves. It's been somewhat hard to keep up with all the info thats put forth in training, but the trainers and staff have been a great blessing. I'm very thankful for these 3 months of training, they have really helped us 'acostumbrar' to the living conditions and culture of Peru.
Whats going to be crazy is the rapid shift from a very structured schedule/life to an unstructured one at our sites. This shift is bound to be one of the most difficult challenges of this entire experiance. I pray we will all be well prepared for the change...
Site visit went very well. My town is tiny! 1,050 people! The schools were on vacation and it seemed like alot of people ditched the town for a vacation of some sort.
My experiance with my host family was a good one. They are extremely talented people, as well as deticated hard workers. It was really cool and interesting to watch them spin their ceramics wheels throughout the entire day.
Alot of my time in site was spent walking around and getting to know the community a bit... talking with the poeple in the street, meeting the guys from the cuy association, the municipality and the health post. I also spent alot of time playing the guitar with the family! One night I even played almost 4 hours of consecutive guitar with different family members. I was teaching them two of their very own cultural songs... 'condor pasa' and 'adios pueblo de ayacucho'
The scenery around my site is beautiful, I'm surrounded by green mountains (they call them hills). Many people in the community have their farms and lately deticate much of their days to reaping their harvests. Others in the community are deticated to artisian, and carpentry work...
I had the chance to walk down to another volunteers site, and found out it is only 20 minutes by foot... my site has neither internet nor direct cell phone service, so its nice to know that I can head down the street for those things.
I've got plenty of other things to say about the site, but I've got 2 years to do so!
I hope your all doing well! I really love hearing from some of you through e-mail or comments
We will all swear into official Peace Corps service next friday and head out to our permanent sites on the sunday following the ceremony.
Much love through Christ
James OOO
Friday, August 1, 2008
2 years in CAJAMARCA!
Today was the biggest day of them all... we found out our location and assigments for the next two years of our lives. We had all been waiting for this moment since the day we got to Peru.
I have been assigned to a pueblo in Cajamarca
It is a small city located in the green green mountains of Cajamarca (very similar to the site I went to for FBT)
I will be working alongside two associations... 1. which works with the wholesale of live cuy (guinie pig) and 2. an association of ceramists!
I will be working closley with the head of the ceramics association who actually happens to be my host dad!
The house I will live in is the studio in which the ceramists do most of their work, Kiln and all!
some of the youth volunteers visited this very site for their FBT experiance. I am fortunate enough to have some picutres of my site handy! also some picutres of the house/studio in which I will live...
there is also a town about 30 minutes outside of Chacay where there is a guitar workshop in which I look forward to doing some work with as well!
all of this sounds too good to be true in all actuality, but its happening! I feel as if I could not have chosen a better site. I am rediculoulsy excited to search out the posibilities in the site...
I leave for a week long site visit this Sunday. I´ll return next Sunday and am excited to fill you all in on even more about the town! Thanks for your comments, thoughts, emails and prayers!
God is good,
James
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ceviche! and cooking!
heres a quick post for all those busy readers...
Ever since I arrived here in Peru, the locals have been asking me left and right... ´has probado ceviche?´ (have you tried ceviche). For a while I was clueless as to what it was... I quickly found out that it´s a classic here in Peru. Ceviche is described as a citrus-marinated raw fish, always accompanied by sweet potatos, mote (gigantic corn) and a mountain of onions. When I say citrus marinated... I mean it... lemon-city.
I´ve never been a huge fan of fish, let alone raw fish. I got to try sushi for the first time a few months back with my good friends Liz, Tom and Ashley at Liz´s moms resturaunt... but I never thought I´d come to a point where I can say this with confidence... I Love raw fish, Ceviche is delicious.
My friend Jason and I had our first cooking experiance! we cooked Torilla de Quinua and chocolate cake... look...
friday is the big day... I´ll be finding out where the next two years of my life will be spent. I´ll be quick to spread the word...
Ever since I arrived here in Peru, the locals have been asking me left and right... ´has probado ceviche?´ (have you tried ceviche). For a while I was clueless as to what it was... I quickly found out that it´s a classic here in Peru. Ceviche is described as a citrus-marinated raw fish, always accompanied by sweet potatos, mote (gigantic corn) and a mountain of onions. When I say citrus marinated... I mean it... lemon-city.
I´ve never been a huge fan of fish, let alone raw fish. I got to try sushi for the first time a few months back with my good friends Liz, Tom and Ashley at Liz´s moms resturaunt... but I never thought I´d come to a point where I can say this with confidence... I Love raw fish, Ceviche is delicious.
My friend Jason and I had our first cooking experiance! we cooked Torilla de Quinua and chocolate cake... look...
friday is the big day... I´ll be finding out where the next two years of my life will be spent. I´ll be quick to spread the word...
Peace to you, James
Monday, July 21, 2008
Field Based Training
San Miguel...in pictures
Trujillo
The week started off with a 17 hour bus ride north towards Cajamarca on an extra-luxurious bus. By far, the nicest bus I've ever seen... We arrived in Cajamarca city on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a quick lunch before catching a cab to San Miguel. The last leg of our travel was a two hour 'video-game-like' cab ride up the side of a gigantic mountain... we feared for our lives... but made it safely.
Classes
My group and I successfully conducted 3 full days of businesses courses! We were assigned a classroom of 20 students ranging in age from 18-22. We came as prepared as possible, but knew our plans were bound to change. It took the students about half a day to warm up to us and activley participate in class. We were told to emphasize classroom participation - in hopes to engage them in the learning process as much as possible. We found out quick that if you want participation and attention, you have to fight for it... we allowed them to make up their own rules for the class - (if anyone was late, they had to dance in front of the class)
Throughout the three days of classes, we taught our students everything they needed to know to begin their own small business - everything from the meaning of ENTREPREnuership to methods of marketing a product or service. They each applied for a loan from the 'Peace Corps' bank ranging from 20-100 soles to begin their business.
Thursday was the day our groups headed out into the San Miguel market to sell their product. Most every group decided to make food to sell, which I'm told happens every year.
We divided our group into 3 groups...
1 group made and sold "chupetes" or popcicles - lucuma flavor
1 group made and sold Chicharones con mote (google it)
1 group made cuy con papa (guinie pig and potatos... yes, guinie pig is a common meal)
1 group had a free showing of the movie Titanic, and sold popcorn and mazamorra (google)
---wed. night, Sal, Kelly and I went to help one of our groups make their popcicles. We spent some quality time with them, on an informal level, which made us all look forward to our Peruvian friendships we will make once at site.
Each of our groups had successful businesses and were able to pay back their loans with a 2% interest. The biggest success of the entire week was the showing of Titanic. Amazingly, a crowd of 300 people showed up at 8pm to watch the 3 hour movie (which didn't actually start till 9). The popcorn and mazamorra sold out! It was a big surprise to everyone.
The week seemed to go by pretty slowly, but Thursday afternoon we found ourselves in front of all 70 students, handing out certificates and saying our goodbyes...
it was at this last meeting the the highlight of the week took place...Sal and I wrote a song about the food sold durring the business simulation, its called 'Estamos llenos' (we are full)... I've got it on video, and will post it on my youtube account soon enough!
We got to hang out with the current volunteer living in San Miguel and got to check out of the work she does there. She introduced us to her artisan association that she works with, and invited some of us to join her running group that she does every morning.
Thursday after classes... some students invited us to a bonfire for a while - and the school threw a dance together for us later that night.It seems like some of our dance skills are finally improving.
At the end of the week, I think we all gained quite a bit of confidence. At first, the entire week seemed daunting, with many challenges and obstacles to work around. Now that it is over, I have full confidence in our ability as volunteers. The week was filled with creativity and persistence amongst all the volunteers.
Trujillo
Friday morning we took off to our vacation part of the weeklong trip. We headed to the coastal city of Trujillo. We spent one night in a very nice hostle, and one day at a nearby beach. I tried some local favorite dishes on the shore... played some beach soccer... and even took a shot at surfing (the hardest sport ever invented)
There was a nice mall in the middle of Trujillo where we ate our share of N. American fast food, relaxed and saw the new Batman movie.
The week ended with yet another busride... this time only 8 hours. We arrived back in the city of Lima around 7, and to Chacrasana at 8.
Whats next?
5 more weeks until we swear in as official Peace Corps volunteers... In two weeks we will find out our Site Assignments! everyone is waiting impatiently to find out where we will spend the next 2 years of our lives. Once we find out, we will go on a week long site visit to do a community analysis and get to know a bit about our future sites.
I hope your all doing well...
Love you all, James
ps... check the new pictures
TrujilloThe week started off with a 17 hour bus ride north towards Cajamarca on an extra-luxurious bus. By far, the nicest bus I've ever seen... We arrived in Cajamarca city on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a quick lunch before catching a cab to San Miguel. The last leg of our travel was a two hour 'video-game-like' cab ride up the side of a gigantic mountain... we feared for our lives... but made it safely.
Classes
My group and I successfully conducted 3 full days of businesses courses! We were assigned a classroom of 20 students ranging in age from 18-22. We came as prepared as possible, but knew our plans were bound to change. It took the students about half a day to warm up to us and activley participate in class. We were told to emphasize classroom participation - in hopes to engage them in the learning process as much as possible. We found out quick that if you want participation and attention, you have to fight for it... we allowed them to make up their own rules for the class - (if anyone was late, they had to dance in front of the class)
Throughout the three days of classes, we taught our students everything they needed to know to begin their own small business - everything from the meaning of ENTREPREnuership to methods of marketing a product or service. They each applied for a loan from the 'Peace Corps' bank ranging from 20-100 soles to begin their business.
Thursday was the day our groups headed out into the San Miguel market to sell their product. Most every group decided to make food to sell, which I'm told happens every year.
We divided our group into 3 groups...
1 group made and sold "chupetes" or popcicles - lucuma flavor
1 group made and sold Chicharones con mote (google it)
1 group made cuy con papa (guinie pig and potatos... yes, guinie pig is a common meal)
1 group had a free showing of the movie Titanic, and sold popcorn and mazamorra (google)
---wed. night, Sal, Kelly and I went to help one of our groups make their popcicles. We spent some quality time with them, on an informal level, which made us all look forward to our Peruvian friendships we will make once at site.
Each of our groups had successful businesses and were able to pay back their loans with a 2% interest. The biggest success of the entire week was the showing of Titanic. Amazingly, a crowd of 300 people showed up at 8pm to watch the 3 hour movie (which didn't actually start till 9). The popcorn and mazamorra sold out! It was a big surprise to everyone.
The week seemed to go by pretty slowly, but Thursday afternoon we found ourselves in front of all 70 students, handing out certificates and saying our goodbyes...
it was at this last meeting the the highlight of the week took place...Sal and I wrote a song about the food sold durring the business simulation, its called 'Estamos llenos' (we are full)... I've got it on video, and will post it on my youtube account soon enough!
We got to hang out with the current volunteer living in San Miguel and got to check out of the work she does there. She introduced us to her artisan association that she works with, and invited some of us to join her running group that she does every morning.
Thursday after classes... some students invited us to a bonfire for a while - and the school threw a dance together for us later that night.It seems like some of our dance skills are finally improving.
At the end of the week, I think we all gained quite a bit of confidence. At first, the entire week seemed daunting, with many challenges and obstacles to work around. Now that it is over, I have full confidence in our ability as volunteers. The week was filled with creativity and persistence amongst all the volunteers.
Trujillo
Friday morning we took off to our vacation part of the weeklong trip. We headed to the coastal city of Trujillo. We spent one night in a very nice hostle, and one day at a nearby beach. I tried some local favorite dishes on the shore... played some beach soccer... and even took a shot at surfing (the hardest sport ever invented)
There was a nice mall in the middle of Trujillo where we ate our share of N. American fast food, relaxed and saw the new Batman movie.
The week ended with yet another busride... this time only 8 hours. We arrived back in the city of Lima around 7, and to Chacrasana at 8.
Whats next?
5 more weeks until we swear in as official Peace Corps volunteers... In two weeks we will find out our Site Assignments! everyone is waiting impatiently to find out where we will spend the next 2 years of our lives. Once we find out, we will go on a week long site visit to do a community analysis and get to know a bit about our future sites.
I hope your all doing well...
Love you all, James
ps... check the new pictures
Friday, July 11, 2008
Gone to San Miguel...
I'll be out of contact for a while, you need me - you can find me here...
San Miguel, Cajamarca
Tomorrow the small business development group will be 'Cajamarca-bound'...
the long awaited Field Based Training week will soon be upon us. We have been preparing for the last 2 weeks and we're hoping the week will be a complete success! I am working in a group of 3 with my friends Kelly and Sal...
As many of you know, I have ZERO experience in teaching. The only credentials I'm putting my weight on was the year I spent teaching guitar to my friend Cylas. It was such a rewarding experience... I've had many teachers in my life that have had a profound influence on who I am and what I've learned...
I reflect on this topic, because I am about to experience what it means to be a teacher
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week- my partners and I will be in front of a class of 30 Peruvian students for 6 hours each day.
We will be teaching many different topics
-entrepreneurship
-leadership
-finance
-accounting
-market analysis
-business plans
it has been our task to create lesson plans including charlas (educationals), activities, games, etc. in the most creative way possible. We have been advised to not teach like N. Americans. We have been working on understanding the ways in which Peruvians think in terms of business... this has greatly shaped our preparation for FBT. I am excited to teach in an informal way, while getting to know the students throughout the week...
get this --- at the end of the week, we will be breaking the students into small groups and handing out small loans (the equivalent of $40) to each group. From here, the students will be expected to take all the necessary steps needed in order to get their 'business for a day' up and running --- at the end of the day, the students will need to pay back their loan (with interest) and are able to keep the profit made. (supposedly, every group in the past has been able to pay back the loan with money to spare).
sounds like a tough assignment for us baby Peace Corps Volunteers, no?
One more thing to keep in mind... Its all in SPANISH!!!
I can't wait to fill you in on how the whole week goes! I hope your all doing well!
talk to you in a week or so....
-James
P.S. heres a fun photo to keep you occupied for a week
if you had the power to hover, like I can, where would you hover? who would you hover with? over what kind of surface would you hover? would you teach others to hover like US?
San Miguel, CajamarcaTomorrow the small business development group will be 'Cajamarca-bound'...
the long awaited Field Based Training week will soon be upon us. We have been preparing for the last 2 weeks and we're hoping the week will be a complete success! I am working in a group of 3 with my friends Kelly and Sal...
As many of you know, I have ZERO experience in teaching. The only credentials I'm putting my weight on was the year I spent teaching guitar to my friend Cylas. It was such a rewarding experience... I've had many teachers in my life that have had a profound influence on who I am and what I've learned...
I reflect on this topic, because I am about to experience what it means to be a teacher
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week- my partners and I will be in front of a class of 30 Peruvian students for 6 hours each day.
We will be teaching many different topics
-entrepreneurship
-leadership
-finance
-accounting
-market analysis
-business plans
it has been our task to create lesson plans including charlas (educationals), activities, games, etc. in the most creative way possible. We have been advised to not teach like N. Americans. We have been working on understanding the ways in which Peruvians think in terms of business... this has greatly shaped our preparation for FBT. I am excited to teach in an informal way, while getting to know the students throughout the week...
get this --- at the end of the week, we will be breaking the students into small groups and handing out small loans (the equivalent of $40) to each group. From here, the students will be expected to take all the necessary steps needed in order to get their 'business for a day' up and running --- at the end of the day, the students will need to pay back their loan (with interest) and are able to keep the profit made. (supposedly, every group in the past has been able to pay back the loan with money to spare).
sounds like a tough assignment for us baby Peace Corps Volunteers, no?
One more thing to keep in mind... Its all in SPANISH!!!
I can't wait to fill you in on how the whole week goes! I hope your all doing well!
talk to you in a week or so....
-James
P.S. heres a fun photo to keep you occupied for a week
if you had the power to hover, like I can, where would you hover? who would you hover with? over what kind of surface would you hover? would you teach others to hover like US?
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