The following post features student writing.
As the days wind down in Qenqo, we all think about how we can effectively leave a lasting impact on the community and do something to make their lives better after we are gone. For most this means working extra hard to perfect and complete our independent projects. Kelly and Sami finished their painting on the blank white top of the stone bleachers with some beautifully colored words “Qenqo, Peru,” a vivid painting of the Earth on the right, and a soccer ball on the right.
Sami painting her mural.
Kelly painting her mural.
Sami and Kelly with their finished product.
In other independent project news, I and the rest of the boys finished our welcome sign for the village. Now everyone driving by will know exactly what town they pass by — a town full of people proud of their heritage and their culture. Regarding the sign, the boys and I greatly thank Maya, JiJi, and Emma W. for their help in painting the sign and making it into the beautiful beacon it is today.
The completed “Welcome to Qenqo” sign.
Emma W. and Rachel did a collaborative independent project in which they taught the children of the village how to make corn husk dolls using cloth, corn husks, and yarn. All of the kids enjoyed making the dolls and had memorable moments with Rachel, Lou, and Maya.
Rachel teaching the kids how to make husk dolls.
One of the kids with their finished product.
Post-working picture.
Chelsea, Grace, and Sofia created a video that includes clips from interviews they carried out in Spanish with people of the village. This video helps to catch a glimpse into the daily lives of people in Qenqo.
Another part of our lasting impression on the town of Qenqo is our work on the main project of the work on the salon comunal which included starting and finishing the stone walls including drywalling it along with starting to drywall the ceiling and prepare for the next group to come and complete the second floor by moving the bricks, dirt, and other supplies onto the upper floor.
Lou preparing the walls.
A group sifting sand for the final finish on the walls.
As we depart Qenqo our home for the last few weeks we all will begin to miss certain aspects of our time in the village. In honor of these feelings I have compiled a top ten list of things we will miss most about Qenqo:
1. Amazing three-course meals made our cooks Sonia, JP, Juan, Percy, and Justina
2. The people we bonded with such as Luis, Kris, Braulio, and Don Isidro
3. Our soccer games with the local kids and men
4. Having our sleeping bag conversations every night about many topics ranging from politics to education
5. Learning about the culture the people have
6. The amazing work we were doing on the salon comunal
7. Dancing with the local people at our despidida
8. Trying new Peruvian foods such as cuy (guinea pig) and quinoa that opened us up to a whole new cultural experience
9. Meeting the little kids and playing games with them on the cancha (soccer field)
10. The beautiful natural scenery such as the night sky and the calm quiet nights that allow for an amazing refuge from the connected world we usually live in
– Q
Lou picking out which cuy was going to be dinner.