The word orphanage carries some heavy baggage along with it. In the States, the concept of a place where children live absent of parental support and guidance is hardly a hopeful thought.
However, during our time in Peru, we encountered an excellent example of how youth can still thrive even after they no longer have contact with their mother and father.
Adela — one of our contacts in Puno — suggested we assist at an orphanage she recently started working at. During a previous Project Suyana trip, we assisted her in constructing greenhouses at an old folk's home. Similarly, our main project at the orphanage was also concerning greenhouses. Although they were already built, they sustained exterior weather damages and were severely overgrown on the interior.
In one of the greenhouses, we were responsible for completely gutting the weeds and overgrown plants.
In the other, we carefully removed strawberry plants for replanting in healthier soil conditions.
Working alongside us throughout the entire process, the orphanage's groundskeeper Julio was one of the most genuinely kind and hard-working Peruvians we came into contact with. Not only did he teach us the tricks of the trade when using a pickaxe and the most effective irrigation methods, he also helped us with our Spanish conversation skills. He seemed to have an innate understanding of our language barrier and was eager to help us break it down. All in all, working with Julio was always a bright spot in our day and we are pleased to now call him our friend.
Throughout the orphanage grounds, we consistently sensed a healthy living environment nurtured by a strong community atmosphere. A school and housing quarters were complimented by ample space to roam with a soccer court and playground (the latter of which we put to good use during some downtime).
Additionally, a vast collection of livestock including chicken, cattle, guinea pig, and traditional pig (with newborn piglets!) roamed the grounds.
All of this added to a positive attitude while working at the orphanage. Knowing that we were contributing to the wholesome upbringing for its 30+ young residents made the strenuous manual labor hardly feel like work at all.
[Written by David Riva | Photos by Benjamin Antonio and David Riva]
However, during our time in Peru, we encountered an excellent example of how youth can still thrive even after they no longer have contact with their mother and father.
Adela — one of our contacts in Puno — suggested we assist at an orphanage she recently started working at. During a previous Project Suyana trip, we assisted her in constructing greenhouses at an old folk's home. Similarly, our main project at the orphanage was also concerning greenhouses. Although they were already built, they sustained exterior weather damages and were severely overgrown on the interior.
In one of the greenhouses, we were responsible for completely gutting the weeds and overgrown plants.
In the other, we carefully removed strawberry plants for replanting in healthier soil conditions.
Working alongside us throughout the entire process, the orphanage's groundskeeper Julio was one of the most genuinely kind and hard-working Peruvians we came into contact with. Not only did he teach us the tricks of the trade when using a pickaxe and the most effective irrigation methods, he also helped us with our Spanish conversation skills. He seemed to have an innate understanding of our language barrier and was eager to help us break it down. All in all, working with Julio was always a bright spot in our day and we are pleased to now call him our friend.
Throughout the orphanage grounds, we consistently sensed a healthy living environment nurtured by a strong community atmosphere. A school and housing quarters were complimented by ample space to roam with a soccer court and playground (the latter of which we put to good use during some downtime).
Additionally, a vast collection of livestock including chicken, cattle, guinea pig, and traditional pig (with newborn piglets!) roamed the grounds.
All of this added to a positive attitude while working at the orphanage. Knowing that we were contributing to the wholesome upbringing for its 30+ young residents made the strenuous manual labor hardly feel like work at all.
[Written by David Riva | Photos by Benjamin Antonio and David Riva]
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