Want a deeper insight into what an ICS placement looks like? Read the amazing blogs written by our past and present volunteers. Enjoy the journey!
No more lomo saltado, it’s back to beans-on-toast!
After almost a whole day’s worth of travelling, we returned to the United Kingdom in high spirits, looking forward to seeing our family, friends and loved ones and getting back to our everyday lives – whether that would be 9am lectures at university, long days buried under paperwork in an office or planning trips across Europe.
Casas de la Juventud was started by the previous government and in partnership with the French government, aiming to prevent social problems in less developed areas. They initially created 4 Casas de la Juventud in Villa El Salvador to prevent these problems.
To achieve these aims Casas provides workshops and talks in order to empower young people and prevent crime through keeping them off the streets through engaging them with worthwhile activities.
This week, over 2,000 people turned up to our football tournament. It focused on 8 local teams from the surrounding villages competing for a champions title and some prize money. We also had music and a commentator on a microphone, to create a vibrant atmosphere. But we used this moment to talk to the spectators about our project and mentioned the sites where we have been working and that everyone is free to come and visit them to gain more experience and knowledge about resource management and permaculture.
As we stand on the 6th floor of the National Museum of Peru in what is the ‘Truth Commission’ (which examined abuses committed during the period of internal conflict provoked by the Shining Path movement) we have a perfect vista of downtown Lima. As you scan the horizon, the colourful facades of colonial buildings draw your attention, as does the rather conspicuous Coca Cola sign. Another statue to our modern day consumerist values.
Whether you’re a spotty teenager in a gorilla suit trying to flog pepperoni pizzas or an elderly postman doing Torvil and Dean proud on a wintery morning, everyone knows how difficult it can be to spread a message.
We’re no different.
When we were first asked to design and paint a mural addressing environmental issues here in Peru, my first reaction was a mixture of trepidation and excitement.
Its been our final week in Mzimba and we’ve been busy completing projects and saying some sad farewells to the people we have been working with during our placement.
Over the past two weeks the team has been involved in small community projects in the neighbouring villages of Los Pozos and Los Rivera. Whilst being introduced to various members of the community we learnt of the struggles they face in day to day living but also of the educational initiatives which are helping the communities to increase their development.
After seven weeks in a Spanish speaking country, nobody should be proud of the fact that their skills don’t extend much further than “Panchadas. Especial oferta. Solo un sole. Muy delicioso”. But, fortunately, this was all the Spanish we needed to help fundraise for those affected by the recent fire at the Villa El Sur market.
Three weeks ago, an accidental fire devastated the market in which many of the young people at MANTHOC work. Though nobody was reported injured, the livelihoods of several families had been ruined as a result.
Brazil celebrates with music, Trinidad with dance and exquisite costume. In Peru, Carnival is celebrated with life’s purest gift – water. Traditionally around the world, Carnival is a festivity used to mark the last few days before the Lenten season in the Christian calendar. In Peru, however, an entire month’s worth of celebrations is dedicated to Carnival.
During our penultimate week in Mzimba we have been working hard to ensure we make the maximum positive impact in the projects we have started before we leave the town.
