July 2004

Good morning… I’m not sure what to tell everyone about what has drawn me to this vacation. I spent months looking for something I could do and just couldn’t get myself to settle on anything. Visiting Prague was the closest I got to satisfied but even that didn’t really convince me. Then one day I was at a friend’s house in New Jersey and he a copy of Travel and Leisure that I started flipping through. I came across the concept of volunteer vacation…. And that is all there really is to it. I knew that was exactly what I needed to fine. I realized then the weight I had put on this vacation I was planning. It needed to bring me some sort of spiritual satisfaction. I chose Peru because of my desire to see Maccu Pichu and the fact that I’d never been to South America before. And I chose Globe Aware’s program because I didn’t have to stay in some hotel with the rest of the volunteers. I don’t even know if I am particularly good with children. But I’m here and I’m here and I’m happy I’m here.
--Zareen Isaac, Sterling VA

Happy 4th of July everyone! So far today I’ve had no water for shower, 3 rolls and a great cheese omelet. Yesterday I got to meet everyone except Joelle. Everyone is GREAT! Very interesting people (and diverse too!) 2 of the people are from the DC area like me! I also have a fellow mid-westerner on board. I am looking forward to learning even more about each volunteer!
--Kelly Scherf, Fairfax VA

Aloha! Or more like Hola! HaHa! Well, I am the youngest on board out of us volunteers, so bear with me! Well, I dunno, I guess I found myself here because mom said she found something. We both found ourselves reading the Globe Aware website crying. Ask g-pa about it and he said can I come? So well all decided to come. Mom has always wanted to go to Machu Piccu (mich pichi as I call it) So I think it all worked out right! I am so grateful that I have a chance to learn new cultures ant to travel at such a young age! I hope to get to know you all over this week! Remember there are no coincidences (thx Larry for helping me spell!)
P.S. Luv ya Ma! --Sonya Acedo, Phoenix AZ

We all met the kids this morning. It was really over whelming. They were so warm, friendly, and so curious about all of us. Asking us how old we are, about our parents, whether we have boyfriends/girlfriends. I wish I had a better grasp of sign language and Spanish so I could communicate better with them. I can’t imagine how difficult their lives have been to this point, but it feels great to be able to give them the attention and love that they need. A week is not long enough to make an impact on these kids, but I hope it brings them some happiness. --William Portugal

What a fine group of volunteers are here, what a great spirit is left in their company. Mother Consuelo and Cristin are super ladies- I know some things about handicapped kids. I know that it takes a special a special kind of person to deal with them day after day. I met some children this morning they are so full f energy, curious, and outgoing as any I seen anywhere despite their disabilities and certainly needy of love and attention and perhaps more can be given. There being here testifies of the severity of their lives to this point. I came to help as much as I can. I just need direction and a little guidance. I am impressed with what goes on here, with the great efforts of Mother Consuelo to provide for her charges. I am also impressed with the lovely picturesque quality of the Cusco area. The cobbled streets, the endless little shops, the lively colors-it’s a comfortable environment.
--Claudio Villalobos, Tempe AZ

Well yesterday was a good day- no rain and we got to take some of the children to “sacsayhuman”. It’s one of the places I’ve always wanted to see in Peru. Huge blocks of stone jigsaw puzzled into places are an amazing feat. Luckily none of the kids got hurt. When they start running off, you cant really control most of them. Some of us tried “cuy” at lunch, taste “just like chicken” as they say. I got a bit of my required shopping out of the way. For “cena” we all went out to eat. The second place we tried must hold the world record for slow and nonexistent meals. After about 2 hours we left and 3 people hadn’t been served their entrees.
--Lawrence Murray, Cincinnati OH

Okay, Claudio, Larry, and I just finished the first coat of one of the walls in the Comedor. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the meeting room with my hair dryer on high.  Last night was something else trying to get food! But it was an interesting experience though—2 Inca young men eyeing Sonya! Hehe
--Kelly Scherf, Fairfax, VA

I think it’s July 5th today~ Monday! I am excited to have a great, totally diverse group of volunteers with me on this trip. We have only known each other 3 days, and already can pick out what aspects of whose personalities match with others’ personalities. It is inevitable that there will be personality clashes once in a while, but when we are all playing with the kids or having a serious discussion about our feelings and emotions, those clashes seem to fly out the window. Everyone has a great spirit and is coping well with the cold.--Sharlene Bagga, Cambridge, MA

Hey! Well, thus far this trip has been amazing! There is a huge diversion of people in our group! All brought up different; everyone’s perspective is different. All brought up different. But yea! Amazing land, people, food, etc… Well Pisac today was amazing and breathtaking! The view! WOW! I face a fear today though. I didn’t think that I was afraid of heights but man o man! Having a path that is a foot and a half wide! Crazy! But I am so glad I did it! Well, thanks to all for just being you!
-- Sonya Acedo, Phoenix AZ

June 6, 2004
Good News! I went to see 2 different doctors (that’s not the good news) and an x-ray done on my foot/ankle. NOT BROKEN! Whoo-hoo! I just have to go back to one of the doctors on Thursday to have more Argon gas put on my foot! Whew! What a sense of relief! Hope everyone enjoyed! Pisac today!

We just finished having a serious discussion about how people with different personalities should be delt with. I appreciate the different views and opinions of each person. WOW! There were definitely some thoughts that I never would have had on my own!
--Kelly Scherf, Fairfax, VA

It’s Wednesday morning and I had a very refreshing hot shower, not like warm, but HOT…so that was great! Still it really bothers me that the kids don’t have hot water. Whatever it takes, the hot water heaters need to be installed for the kids. I’m still quite exhausted, but am having a great time. It’s great to feel that the kids really love having us around. I’m finally beginning to remember a lot of their today we take photos of the kids and start the mural… hopefully, it will run smoothly!
--Will Portugal

Really productive day. The handprints on the wall were the highlight. Looking forward to Macu Pichu, but I’m a little concerned about the cold and my wimpy breathing. I’ll be fine. For all of you who read this… You rock!! This is really an awesome group!
k. Cold. Tired. Ya. Bye.
--Zareen Issac, Sterling VA

The hand print project went a lot smoother that I expected, so I am happy about that! But later in the day, my heart broke twice. There was a little girl being dropped off the hogar by her mother and an official. Apparently the mother was going to need surgery and didn’t know if she would make it. The poor little girl probably didn’t even know what was happening. Later in the evening, when it was bedtime for the kids, Dina (the new kid) refused to go anywhere near the room and was standing at the door to go outside. She was crying for her mother, that was when my heart broke for the second time. I felt for her… I really felt for her. I cant imagine being left somewhere by someone I trusted with he possibility of never seeing that trusted person again.
--Kelly Scerf, Fairfax VA

Hi everyone. I’m freezing at the moment so excuse the mistakes. Today we went to Machu Picchu. How amazing! How beautiful, and breathtaking! I’m amazing! Beautiful, and breathtaking! I’m amazed on the workmanship of the city itself, but the view from the city is what REALLY got me. Those mountains of green seem to go forever and then some. The clouds literally consume them. So amazing! I am so grateful to be here, to be able to see and go places that some have never had the chance. I am truly grateful! I am also amazed on how all of us ended up here. The story. We are all so different. I love each one of ya! It’s crazy! I feel like I’ve known a couple of you my whole life (aside from mom and g-pa). Well, thanks you all for everything!
-- Sonya Acedo, Phoenix AZ

It is god-bye day and WOW what a week! Full of laughing, hugging, kissing, and crying. We had a big range of emotions and an experience of a lifetime. Nothing else feels so good as loving and serving. It was also so nice to meet others with different backgrounds and ideas but then realizing we all have the basic needs of being loved and accepted. I have come away a bigger sense of those around me. I hope that through this Globe Aware experience, I will continue to step outside my box and discover the world and it’s people both near and far. Love to all ~
--Lenor Acedo, Phoenix AZ

The last day. Although my stay was partly marred by minor health issues (altitude sickness and “tourista”) those are quickly controlled and overall it was great and enriching experience. I will miss their smiles, yet U don’t think that I can handle so many climbing on me every day. To my fellow volunteers:
It’s been fun and fulfilling being and working with you. Que les vaya bien! May it go well with you! Nos vemos, see you!
-- Lawrence Murray, Cincinnati OH