The day before my flight to South America, I found an old notebook where I’d created a bucket list. I opened it and read: ‘One day I would like to live in South America.’ I can’t remember writing it, but it made me smile, because there I was, beside my already-packed backpack and my boarding … Continue reading From dreaming to doing
As I am welcomed into the home of Señora Maria Teresa to complete the yearly social work survey, sounds and smells assault me. A dog barking in one corner of the courtyard, a chicken wandering, and little Josue running around with a small kitten yelling “Teacher, Teacher, Teacher”. Working with HOOP Peru as the social work … Continue reading Building trust from the heart of the community
As a self-confessed nervous character, I wasn’t sure if going to a new continent was the right move for me after finishing my masters. I could barely locate Peru on the map, I had never heard of Arequipa, and I was only dimly aware of South America. I couldn’t tell you what impulse had driven … Continue reading From fear to fulfilment : the story of my internship
I’ve become enough of a regular at the tienda nearest my home to have developed a nickname: “the sandia girl.” In fact, not only do I have a nickname, but the ladies at the tienda now go for the juiciest watermelon they have available when I enter the store. Now, what does this have to … Continue reading Building a Life in a new Country
When I try to speak Spanish, my mind clouds and what spurts out is a kind of stilted gibberish. Luckily, communication is more than 90 percent body language, and so when I sat with last month’s mom of the month and watched her tear up when talking about her experience with HOOP, I understood her. … Continue reading Small Changes – A World of Difference
As Jennifer Lazo, Education and Volunteer Coordinator, moves on to new adventures, Adam and Beth (former Volunteer/Media and Communications Assistant and Academic Assistant respectively) tell you all about Jenn and the work she has done over the past two years. Upon hearing Jennifer had decided it was time for her to leave HOOP, it felt … Continue reading Thank you Jenn: Volunteer Coordinator and more importantly, Friend
