Harker Goes to Peru 2024

  We hear it all the time – travel is transformative. I’ve witnessed this many times traveling with students. Travel changes us. It broadens perspectives, creates relationships, develops empathy and expands the possible. But this week in Peru managed to exceed expectations and humble me all at once.   I witnessed kids with skills contemplate their real world application.   I witnessed kids consider their real purposes and passions – they discovered their spark. They are thinking well beyond just what makes money.   I witnessed kids overcome fears and anxieties. They attempted foreign languages and new foods. They got their hands dirty picking potatoes at 12,500 feet in the Andes. They forgot their fear of failure. They showed real courage.   They fell for the affections of dogs and cats and found comfort in homes far different from their own.   They allowed, even welcomed, the love and nurturing of host parents with whom they could not share a lan...

The typical bread and jam started both of our days, and then we all assembled at Awani Wasi to start our journey. Awani Wasi is an NGO that helps local people learn how to keep their bodies healthy. Our journey started by riding a bus for an hour. After our arrival, we entered a small building in Tastyoc, isolated from the urban cities. We met the president of the town and received a stunning flower called Corn of Gold. After this, we boarded the bus for a short ride to Beatris' house. Beatris is a community member of Tastyoc, who taught us how to carry an injured person (down the mountain). She taught us how to carry a person with limited materials, such as using only a rope.  Later that day, our lungs and legs started to tire out as we climbed up to a tiny farm. Beatris, showed us vegetables, like potatoes, that grew there. We used a pick-ax to dig up potatoes that were hidden in the soil or stuck to the plant. We walked back to the small building, ate lunch, and listened to Mr J...

 First Day in Ollantaytambo.  Sitting on the bus I saw many different dogs. Some were bit like German Shepherds and some were small like Chihuahuas. Some were in groups of 5 and some were alone. Some looked clean and some looked dirty. When looking out the window, I saw a woman taking some goats out of a grassy valley. There were some sheep who were sitting down at the top of the valley.  When we got to the hotel, we saw 3 cats, one was white and orange, one was brown with gray and black stripes, the ast was the same as the brown cat but had a white neck. Later that evening I also saw a dog wearing a batman hoodie (who looked absolutely adorable!).  On Day 3 we met Adela's dog (the director of the Peru World Leadership School section), who was the first dog we could actually pet without having to worry about rabies and fleas. We did not see many new animals on this day. On Day 4, at the Sun Temple, there was one dog who was slpping on the grass when there was a no do...

 When we first arrived in Peru, we went to a buffet restaurant with fruit, vegetables, rice, meat, and dessert. It was then that we learned that all the food was organic, hand grown, without pesticides. After that, we went to a Peruvian restaurant called, Churco. They all had different food but had a few things in common. All the food was healthy and delicious. In a typical meal, there was soup, rice, meat, noodles, vegetables, water, and a wonderful dessert.  During our first meal, there was a festival going on. We watched some of it from the window of the restaurant. People were dancing around a tree and trying to cut it down, trying to get to the gifts handing in the tree. Eventually, it was time for homestays. My homestay mom and Jaylen's homestay mom were sisters, so we ate lunch together. The lunch consisted of cilantro soup, rice, meat, lettuce, perch, sweet potatoes, and native potato-like vegetables. On that day, it was also Michael's birthday, so my homestay family, ...

 All the students were dropped off at the hotel this evening and there were lots of hugs and tears! Later that evening, during our evening circle time, I posed the question, "What did you learn during your homestays?" Here are their answers: I am loving and funny! - Jaylen  I work well with people I don't know very well. - Kira When Ms Williams said we would cry after homestays, I didn't believe her. Now my eyes are kinda sore. - Teresa I learned that I have some quick reflexes in Egyptian War and in general!:) - Han I'm very spoiled. - Mason I learned that doing work for myself makes me feel fulfilled. - Taddy I can make relationships without knowing it. - Ethan I discovered I can tell the full story of Chinese Valentine's Day in Chinese by heard and fluently. - Sophie I learned I can do hard things by persevering and using my grit and still have fun in the end. - Alexandra I learned that I can bond with people I never thought I could form connections with, a...

Today we went to the school on the outskirts of Ollantaytambo. Firstly, we played soccer and games on the field with the other kids, ages from 5-12 who were surprisingly good at soccer. After this, we moved on to play a bit of basketball with the kids as well, but this activity wasn't as competitive, but more about bonding (with the Peruvian kids). After this, we decompressed playing some relaxing chess. Some of us had to learn for the first time, and the others went straight to playing.  Finally, we had the chance to teach some English to a number of kids. To wrap things up for the day, we sang, "The Wheels on the Bus" to the kids. Overall, this experience was great for us to find what we were good at doing and how we can strive to make a difference in the world.

Living in the homestays has been a fascinating and fun experience. The homestay families are kind and the activities provide a unique insight into the Peruvian living experience. Our homestay family has been especially sweet, always showing care for us and finding ways to have fun even with the language barrier. On our first day of homestays, we got the opportunity to participate in the Carnival celebration, which involved exciting and wild water and foam fights down the street and into the plaza. Clothes and shoes ended up soaked, but everyone - including us - had plenty of fun in this chaotic first day in homestays. Families also found plenty to do during stretches of free time. We spent time playing and teaching one another card and board games, as well as taking beautiful scenic walks with the family dog. Within a few days we've built strong and lasting relationships with our families without needing to be fluent in each others' languages, which is truly amazing. Homestays ...

Hi everyone! It's Charlene and I’ll be writing about Monday's visit with Ayni Wasi* to the community of Soccma.    The students, split into three chaperone groups, arrived bright and early at Ollantaytambo's main plaza, excited for the adventures the day would bring. Each had just stayed in a homestay for the past night and were woken up by the delicious aroma of breakfast wafting from their homestay kitchens. With a pastry chef as  a homestay mom, I began the day with a freshly- baked slice of cake, a perfect way to set the mood. After a brief discussion with the chaperones, the groups set out to their various activities. Although the drive to Succma was full of twists and turns and unpaved paths, we passed time by chatting with friends and sharing snacks. Our arrival was met with a traditional greeting - rose flower petals sprinkled on our heads and a wreath of flowers and dried corn placed around our necks. A promotora (trained woman who provides medical support in her...

This morning started with the musical chirping of roosters in the glowing shine from the morning sun. I only woke up however to Ms Williams rapping on the door with a cheerful, "Good Morning! Breakfast will be in 20 minutes!" So, half asleep, I got out of bed, got dressed, and head to the dining hall with a full night's rest and anticipation for the day's activities. After breakfast, we circled up on the lawn in the middle of the hotel to play a game. Basically, Randal would name a potentially uncomfortable situations that we may encounter in Peru. Then, we would go to one of the, 'zones' based on how comfortable we would be. There was the Comfort Zone, the Stretching Zone, and the Panic Zone. After a few prompts explained why we were doing this exercise. He explained that even though we feel safe and sturdy in our Comfort Zones, we will only learn and grow once we step into our Stretching Zones. We need to have things that make us feel comfortable if we enter...

  I'm writing this sitting in a hotel hammock, swinging to the wind as I stare at one of the three hotel cats sunbathing next to me. After lunch, we went back to the plaza to tour Awamaki, a weaving cooperative that provides local artisan weavers with an opportunity to sell their goods fairly. Senor Tomas, an old, kindly Peruvian man, takes patterns from local weavers, mostly women, and pieces them together into bags, gloves, and other accessories. The Awamaki store, tucked at the end of an alley filled with bustling restaurants, revealed treasures vastly finer than its simple exterior suggested. From headscarves to clutch bags, the finely woven and richly colored clutch goods enchanted everyone within. I bought a charming cosmetics bag with a simple rectangular motif patterned in creamy white and robin's egg blue. On Monday through Wednesday, one of our rotations will take us directly to one of the mountain communities Awamaki collaborates with to produce textiles.  After som...

Hi Families! Homestays have begun! We started the morning with some engaging activities and team meetings to get in the right mind frame to begin homestays. We then discussed how we can use our gifts and traits to make sure our homestay experiences were positive. There was a lot of joy, anticipation, a little trepidation, and a lot excitement waiting for homestay families to arrive. Please see below the photos of your child and their homestay family.  The kids are off in homestays and many will be heading to the center square to participate in a water festival to celebrate Carnival. We will be checking in with each student, in their homestays, later this evening. Enjoy the photos!