LINES & CHIMBOTE BRACELETS

Hey ya'll. This is Kevin again. How was your day? Good? I hope so. Well, I am here to talk some more about the great reasons for working here. Right now the medical mission of 41 doctors is here and they are currently working like mad crazy to see as many Peruvians as humanly possible. There is a big need for translating and just shear crowd control. Especially since something I've noticed about Peru is there is a lack of comprehension of the idea of forming LINES! It is especially prevalent with the kids, especially when you are serving them cake and juice and popcorn and candy. Regardless, the important thing is that people are being helped in ways that cannot be explained or even truly described.

We also have a new volunteer here for 2 weeks, his name is Colin, he will be posting soon I hope. It is his second day of working and he's already got a full plate. There is never a lack of opportunities to help out. You have the basic locations: The Medical Post; the Prevention Centers which act as Gang and Drug prevention havens for the kids of the neighborhoods. They are basically like smaller versions of Boys and Girls Clubs in the States; There is also Casa De Juventud which offers an array of activities involving education in fields like economics, computers, and the basics. There is an organization started by a girl from my school that is helping a group of women out financially so they do not have to resort to other, less than digifying means of earning a living, namely prostitution and others. http://www.facebook.com/ChimboteBraceletProject?ref=ts This is the facebook page for the organization, Chimbote Bracelets.

So besides donating funds to Los Amigos or coming and volunteering, you can support the people of Chimbote personally by purchasing these bracelets for about $5 a bracelet. Keep in mind that $5 equates to around 15 soles, which goes a LONG way down here.

As of today I have 10 days left in Chimbote, and I'm stuck between being excited to return to Lima to reunite with my group and eventually head home to be with all that is normal for me. Friends, family, ENGLISH, Fast Food that I like, The Daily Show, my car, cell phone, etc., etc. Something that I am aware of and preparing for is the little known condition of 'Reverse Culture Shock.' It's stronger and more of an issue with a lot of my friends who have traveled abroad. And it is something that needs to be addressed and prepared for. I haven't sent a text message since the beginning of January. I haven't driven a vehicle since the beginning of January. I haven't watched a TV show in English since the end of Christmas break. These things seem futile and irrelevant but the reimmersion into my own culture and the complete overload of hearing nothing but English again can be difficult. On top of that I am graduating from college about a month after returning, and I am planning on moving to Oregon this summer. That is a lot of big changes in my life in a matter of 6 months, January to July.

What I am trying to get across is that volunteering abroad is an important experience for anyone. It helps bring the world a little closer, person by person. But it is smart to prepare oneself mentally for the immersion into a different culture and then equally to prepare for the return. So please, come and share your time, talents, and personality with the people here. Peruvians are intensely friendly and always willing to help you truly experience their beautiful country. So by all means, come down for a couple weeks during summer break. Or quit your job and commit to 6 months or more. I can tell you that having spent most of my 6 weeks here I definitely feel that I NEED a lot more time, so I'd recommend and be jealous of those who could commit to several months. You'll see yourself and the people around you change in front of your eyes and the relationships you create and build here will be impossible to forget.

Unless I post again, I bid you adieu from Peru...ha, I love rhyming. I hope all is well with you and those you love. Volunteer! Si Dios Quiere. (If God Wills It). Nos vemos y cuidanse.